Obligatory Villagers is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Nellie McKay. It was released on September 25, 2007. Bob Dorough appears as a guest vocalist on several tracks. Many of the musicians on the album reside in the Pocono Mountains, particularly the Delaware Water Gap area. Nancy Reed, a voice teacher in Stroudsburg, sings with her on "Politan." Nellie McKay was Nancy Reed's first student.[1]
Critical response to the album was generally positive. Pitchfork Media and AllMusic both commented that the album was "difficult to understand," though they also agreed that McKay is a talented songwriter and arranger.[2][3]