WDOM BLOG

Nellie McKay's third and newest cd is very short, but full of her beautiful voice and witty compositions. This cd, she completely wrote and orchestrated all parts. She was very much so the composer. She continues her style of Broadway-esque music but while similar to Sufjan Stevens, is more orchestrated than Sufjan...

...Opening the cd is Mother of Pearl. It's got witty lyrics, a staple of hers, about females. It's a great sample into what the entire cd will be like. With the different random voices talking, and chorpophones (clapping etc.) while keeping her jazzy style. Which brings us to Oversure that slams you into her world with the brass chords. Here we are dipped into the song, and feel as if we are in a music. Then comes the verse followed by a "Pajama Game" style instrumental work. "Gin Rummy" to me is as close as she can get to her first cd Get Away From Me. It also has a great catchy chorus with its great melodic line of ooh's into almost a sitcom style theme song. "Identify Theft" has a caribbean feel to it, but continues to put her witty flare despite its happy summer time feeling. It's such a cute song on such satirical words. "Galleon" is a track in a modern style like Spamalots - Lancelot likes to dance a lot. Very upbeat, and even has an electric guitar in it and a sick saxophone solo in the middle on top of a groovy drum setting us into a disco coma. Then, the guitar takes over and if you listen carefully, Nellie McKay is actually singing the solo as well! While this is a great tune, my favorite is "Politan" with its Spanish feel, but very cool guest singers (not listed on wikipedia! OH NO!). Regardless, it's also one of the best jazz style songs on this cd. I think the sax solo proves so. The lyrics feel very intimate but as usual, they are satirical lyrics. One of the best tracks on the cd. "Testify" is exactly what you would think at this point, Nellie's take on southern gospel that is noticeable in the chorus that only grows each time. Before that, it has a gentle Simply Red, 90's alternative feel to it. "Zombie", a track no one has an idea what it really means. Very funny in its comical style but musically, so strong and intelligently done.

Overall, this cd is nothing more than Nellie McKay satisfying her personal needs writing what she loves regardless if anyone loves it. I love it, as its musically satisfying, jazzy, swingy, broadway-esque, and witty. While I suggest you listen to this if you like Sufjan Stevens songs "The Tallest Man the Broadest Shoulders" or "Come on! Feel The illinoise" as they are in the style of 50's band/broadway. Both are amazing composers, writers, and story tellers. Nellie McKay is said to be in works on her next album as well, and here's to hoping its another good one..

Tracks:

1: Mother Of Peal (2:10)

3: Gin Rummy (2:59)

5: Identity Theft (3:28)

6: Galleon (3:22)

7: Politan (4:18)

9: Zombie (5:56)