Father John Misty - Fear Fun

pinksoir

Father John Misty is J Tillman, Fleet Foxes one time drummer.

This record seems to have gone totally under the radar, but having got into it only in the last few months it's quickly become the standout record of the year for me. It has a very Laurel Canyon vibe about it (it was recorded Jonathan Wilson's studio who is a vintage gear nut) and with a great accompaniment of musicians, it's one of the warmest sounding records I've heard in years. A really rich sound palette, wonderful production.

But none of that would matter if the songs weren't up to scratch. And they really, really are. There's tons of humour, reflection, insights... everything I ever want from a record. There are few albums I bother waiting in my car in the driveway for the song playing to finish, but this is one of them. The album eases us in with a mostly acoustic number "Funtimes in Babylon", which wouldn't be amiss on a Fleet Foxes record. But then we're introduced to the record proper with "Nancy From Now On". This is one of my favourite songs on the album. A sort of folk-disco maybe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS84BMFszW0

Without going through the album song by song, which I could (the songs are that strong), I'll just say that the biggest grower for me is "Now I'm Starting To Love The War", a song about the vanity of artists creating work and the damage it does to the world:

"Try not to think so much about
The truly staggering amount of oil that it takes to make a record
All the shipping, the vinyl, the cellophane lining
The high gloss
The tape and the gear"

And the ultimate meaning behind why people create art:

"Lets just call this what it is
The gentler side of mankind's death wish
When it's my time to go
Gonna leave behind things that won't decompose"

This is what I want from records; some insight into the human condition. And to learn something, or to be helped see the world in a different light.

Listen to it all here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-XraF8tZM4

Strumms

Really good record. I was gutted to miss his show in The Workmans with having the flu.

pinksoir

Yeah, I missed it too. I only really started getting into the record after he had played. Bummer.

Gonzovision

Was a really good gig, I'm sure he'll be back again in a bigger venue.

pinksoir

Was it just him or him plus band? Hopefully he will be back soon, would love to see him in Vicar Street.

Gonzovision

Him and his band. I know the workmans club gig was sold out very soon after tickets went on sale.

pinksoir

Sweet. Was it an attempted representation of the record or something different? I read of him doing supports and it being just him, but the songs just beg to be played with a band so I'm glad that's the case. Really wish I didn't miss that gig. I've missed a few this year that I regret; this, Animal Collective, The Walkmen... bah.

Gonzovision

Perfect representation of the album. Incredibly charismatic frontman.

pinksoir

Wow. Great to hear. My hopes are high now!

Seedy Arling

I'd two tickets for that gig but couldnt make it. Gutted.

pastorbarrett

Cheers for this recommendation OP.

jefreywithonef

Just this listened to this in full. Heard 'I'm Writing A Novel' the other day and it was majestic fun, like something Dylan might have included on Blonde or Blonde. Anyway the album in general is less vibrant but it's pretty damn good. Warm, funny and emotional.

Ormus

Love this album. Anyone know when he might be back to Ireland?

His official website is too sarcastic to give out any real info it seems.

Gonzovision

Not sure, in the US up until July anyway. New album for early next year.

henryporter

Happened across this thread a couple of days back, cranked the album up on Spotify and have been brainwormed in a good way ever since - cracker of an album that's like a glorious compendium of CSNY/Dylan/The Band/Parsons/Big Star/Beatles White Album. I can wait a while for the next album as this one is a 5 course meal in itself.

Ormus

henryporter wrote: »

Happened across this thread a couple of days back, cranked the album up on Spotify and have been brainwormed in a good way ever since - cracker of an album that's like a glorious compendium of CSNY/Dylan/The Band/Parsons/Big Star/Beatles White Album. I can wait a while for the next album as this one is a 5 course meal in itself.

I just can't get enough of it. It's staggering that such a talent can be so relatively unknown. I mean I know he worked with Fleet Foxes and is probably a big name in certain circles in the US, but compared to the stardom of say Bon Iver, he is a nobody.

D9Male

Thought I would give this the old bumping treatment. He is playing a few gigs in London in the Roundhouse in May.

His more recent album I Love You, Honeybear is an absolute corker.

Musically, it is not dissimilar from his first album. There are a few beautiful songs (the title track, Bored in the USA, Chateau Lobby #4, When You're Smiling and Astride Me and some really good ones that are hardly beautiful, but still realy good.

It seems to be a love tribute to his wife (girlfriend?) but not in the traditional sense. We get the impression she is a schizophrenic, irritating yet beautiful and captivating lady. I love it!

Trying to think how to describe this guy. He kind of comes to me as a cross between three artists.

His melodies can be just as good (but just as variable) as Sufjan Stevens.
His lyrics are as clever and cynical as Stephen Merritt.
But he gives the impression he has lived a full life, kind of like Tom Waits.

I know I hate when people describe artists I love with comparisons like that, but I just wanted to give those of you who haven't heard this guy a pointer on what the guy is like.

Listen to both his albums.

whiskeyman

Hope it's ok to bump this.
I aways heard the name being mentioned on TXFM, but never really caught any of his songs.
Stumbled across his stuff on Spotify.
Wow!
Beautiful voice and amazing collection of work.
Can't believe I didn't discover sooner.

Ormus

New album out April 7th

whiskeyman

Ormus wrote: »

New album out April 7th

Oh, brilliant!
Maybe a tour soon so?
Seems to be an artist that would do a cracking live show.
Ballad of the Dying Man is such a beautiful song.

D9Male

I saw him live in London last year and he was very good.