1. As Cool as I Am
2. February
3. Iowa (Traveling III)
4. The Christians and the Pagans
5. This Was Pompeii
6. The Ocean
7. Family - Dar Williams, Pettis, Pierce
8. The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-Ed
9. The Blessings
10. Southern California Wants to Be Western New York
11. Mortal City
Amazon.com
This 1996 album was a breakthrough of sorts for Dar Williams, moving her from the obscure folkie circuit to the obscure alternative singer-songwriter circuit. Mortal City comes closest to capturing her live show, and many of the songs here--"Iowa," "The Family," "The Christians and the Pagans"--have become live-set favorites. Like Williams herself, this disc is sentimental, sincere, and emotional; it's an album about growing up. When Williams titles a song "The Pointless, Yet Poignant Crisis of a Co-Ed," you know she's not writing fiction. She also could have called it "Catcher in the Rye," but that title was already taken. --Charles R. Cross
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Mortal City
- Audio CD: 0 pages (1996-01-23)
- Publisher: Razor & Tie
- Label: Razor & Tie
- Studio: Razor & Tie
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 78 reviews
- Sales Rank in Music: #23751
Avg. Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good singing voice better songwriter 2008-03-17
Comment: I discovered Dar Williams on a folk station on launchcast that I selected by accident. "The Christians and the Pagans," happened to be the first song to come on and I have been hooked ever since. Her voice is great, but what really drew me was her songwriting. Even songs like Christians and Pagans, which would seem to be just a fun song on the outside, has sly drop-ins like references to candy canes made with red dye #3!
The whole disc is really solid but other than the aforementioned "The Christians and the Pagans," my favorite song on the disc is "February."
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Discover that Dar Really is as Cool as She is 2007-06-14
Comment: If you want to get into Dar, start here (or End of the Summer), and you won't regret it. The album features some of her most classic songs. It opens with "As Cool As I Am," THE Dar classic and for good reason. The song perfectly showcases Dar's wit and lyrical abilities (her greatest strengths). "February" and "Iowa" prove that she definitely can extended a metaphor. There's humor here with "The Christians and the Pagans" and "Co-Ed." "Family" is a beautiful love song (it's a cover but she does it beautifully). My favorite song on the album is "Southern California Wants to Be Wetern New York." I can't help but smile when I hear it; it just has so much heart. I think that is what strikes me so much about this album - no matter the tempo or subject matter, every song is full of emotion, perhaps the loving touch of an artist at her best. (After this, you have to hear End of the Summer.)
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Dar Rocks! 2007-01-14
Comment: "Mortal City" is another great Dar Williams CD. The best song on the album is "The Christians and the Pagans" about a family that is a blend of traditional and new age who sit down for a winter holiday dinner. "As Cool as I Am" is about ceasing to be jealous of other women. "February" is a sad song about a couple breaking apart. "The Ocean" is a very catchy song about getting back to our roots. "The Pointless, Yet Poignant, Crisis of a Co-ed" is a funny folk song about smoking pot. "The Blessings" is about recognizing our blessings in life. A great album, with many layers within the songs.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: "The Christians and The Pagans is superb" 2006-05-18
Comment: This CD is a fine blend of nice vocals and fine insturmental work. "The Christians and The Pagans" is my favorite holiday song about tolerance and healing and restoring family ties.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: My favorite album of all time! 2006-01-26
Comment: I often tell my husband that if I ended up stranded on a deserted island with only one CD, this would be my choice. Each song tells a story with incredible lyrics and intoxicating melodies. Dar Williams is a musical genius!
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Mortal City
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