Nellie McKay
Pretty Little Head

By Nicole Roberge

Nellie McKay wanted to release “Pretty Little Head” with 23 songs on it — so she did. When Columbia Records said no, she split from the label and issued the album she wanted on her own imprint. And what a blessing it is. If the album had been cut in half, it would only be half as good. As with previous recordings, McKay plays catchy pop-piano tunes that jump from jazz to rock. She doesn’t hold back with her lyrics, and speaks her mind. Disc one opens with a treat like “Cupcake” and then segues into “Yodel,” where she impresses with some light yodeling. While McKay’s first album featured her sunny disposition and gritty opinions, this one is very reflective with melancholy undertones, signifying a more mature McKay. Songs like “I Am Nothing” demonstrate this, but then she emerges again with jazzy tunes likes “Swept Away.” The always-entertaining Cyndi Lauper hops on board with McKay for the lively “Beecharmer.”

Disc two is just as fascinating and makes you wonder how anyone could record such an eclectic mix of tunes. “Real Life” blends her snarky lyrics with jazzy music, “Columbia Bleeding” is a protest of Columbia University’s cruel laboratory use of animals and “Lali Est Paresseux” is a French pop ditty that’s even sung in French. She closes with “Old Enough” — a cute melody with some honest lyrics: “Never thought I’d live to be old enough to feel like this/and never thought I’d figure it out enough, to be loud enough to make you listen.” Loud or soft, we’re listening.