Josh Tillman, the ex drummer of Fleet Foxes, created Father John Misty back in 2012 after an array of solo releases in his own name. A folk-inspired singer songwriter, from Maryland, USA. His music is as bold as his lyrics are witty and at times, hysterical. They say the best works of art evoke a variety of emotions and this album does just that.
'I love You, Honeybear' the album's opener, is a stunning track that sums up the strength of the vocals throughout. Tillman's voice is layered with his own harmonies, with on-point 'ooh's' and 'ahh's' complimenting the warm melody.
The lyrics are where this album comes to life the most, however. He sounds bitter, angry and self-loathing throughout, with any positive outlook on life or compliment of another smothered in satire,sarcasm or humour to balance it up. At times, the lyrics come across as a stream of thoughts just passing their way through his head, with no process of filtering out the stuff you think, but don't say.
"I've brought my mother's depression
You've got your father's scorn and a wayward aunt's schizophrenia"
His lyrics have the habit of making you smile or think deeply before making you chuckle. A hard skill; as most attempts to be funny yet respected as a musician go horribly wrong, or just cannot be taken seriously at all.
"The Night Josh Tillman Came To Our Apt." & "Nothing Good Ever Happens At The Goddamn Thirsty Crow" take one night stands and relationships and give comical, but relatable lyrics. The former begins with three lines of admiration and appreciation for his temporary lover, before the inevitable guilt and resentment kicks in with cutting, harsh jibes at the woman he spent the night with. Suddenly, he can't stand everything about her.
"And now every insufferable convo
Features her patiently explaining the cosmos"
Features her patiently explaining the cosmos"
"Strange Encounter"touches on these ideas too, with desperate, passionate vocals of self-hatred and self-despair, bellowing: " I swore I would change". "The Ideal Husband" follows with yet more admissions of mistakes and regrets.
"Bored in the USA" is sad, honest, thought provoking and beautifully sung.
"Now I've got a lifetime to consider all the ways
I've grown more disappointing to you
As my beauty warps and fades
I suspect you feel the same"
Every song here has a sentiment to dwell on, whether you laugh, cry or both. It delivers the honest and bitter self- realisation of life's disappointments, worries and fears but also things that just really grind your gears in 21st century America. It's from this, Josh Tillman brings the laughs and jokes and metaphorically shrugs his shoulders through life with a smirk on his face.
Josh Tillman has made an album which is as impressive as his beard and that takes some serious patience and ultimately, talent and skill.
9/10
Other album reviews:
Will Butler - Policy: 7.5/10
Here is the album opener:
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