Father John Misty- 'Pure Comedy' Album Review

Father John Misty- ‘Pure Comedy’ Album Review

Josh Tillman, better known by his stage persona Father John Misty, is one of the most interesting phenomenons currently situated in the music scene. His 2015 album ‘I Love You, Honeybear’ received wide critical acclaim and was ranked as one of the best albums of 2015 by a number of highly regarded publications, it’s ironically humorous and ambitious presentation enabled it to become an iconic stepping stone in Tillman’s career. Now, in 2017, Tillman is back with his latest album ‘Pure Comedy’, a deeply introspective object that picks up exactly where ‘I Love You, Honeybear’ left off.

‘Pure Comedy’ is an odyssey, a trip into the mind of a modern day enigma. Tilman successfully manages to transports the listener into a trans-like realm with his lush, soulful tones paired with gentle orchestral backing, and this is something we are used to from Father John Misty. However, on ‘Pure Comedy’ it is the lyrics that allows it to set itself apart from its predecessors. On ‘I Love You, Honeybear’, lyrically, Tillman was lively, witty and sarcastic, whereas on this latest project he is sombre, reflective and brutally honest. Tillman is bearing his soul for all to see on ‘Pure Comedy’. The 13 minute long track ‘Leaving LA’ is a gorgeous view inside Tillman’s destroyed mind, destroyed by depression, society and the current state of LA. Tillman croons “These L.A. phonies and their bullshit bands; That sound like dollar signs and Amy Grant” on ‘Leaving LA’, thus showing the audience his anger and dismay at modern society via honest satire. On ‘‘When The God of Love Returns There’ll Be Hell To Pay”, Father John Misty’s songwriting abilities truly come out to play in all their weird wonderfulness. This particular track incorporates sweet melodic serenades with a heart-warming backing beat which culminates in a stunningly elegant song. Tillman has often spoke openly about his alcohol problems and his struggles with depression. On abum closer, ‘In Twenty Years Or So’, Tillman presents an extremely susceptible human who is unable to remove himself from the spiral he is caught up in. And this viciously truthful exposure helps this album become something special. Tillman is evidently someone who is unsure of how to cope with modern life, and music enables him to come to terms with his own emotions and the struggles he is facing.

Tillman does show his humorous side occasionally on ‘Pure Comedy’, it’s not all doom and gloom. On ‘Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution’ whimsically sings about a portrait of life after an apocalyptic event, yet it is presented in such a soulful manner that it just ends up sounding like a gorgeous ballad and the lyrics are pushed to the background by its melody.

‘Pure Comedy’ really is one of the great modern classics. It’s many things, it’s a sideways look at modern life, a raw introspective viewing of a character, and also a clear indication of the vulnerable mind state of a 30 something songwriter. Its gorgeous, almost lullaby like sounds help this effort propel itself into the soul stratosphere. ‘Pure Comedy’ is sure to be one of the best albums of 2017

Overall Rating- 9/10

Fave Tracks- ‘Total Entertainment Forever’, ‘Leaving LA’, ‘A Bigger Paper Bag’, ‘Balladof the Dying Man’, ‘So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain’, ‘In Twenty Years OrSo’

Least Fave Tracks- ‘Smoochie’, ‘Birdie’