Father John Misty "I Love You Honeybear"

[marcellis]

Father John Misty is the alter-ego of Josh Tillman.

This is one of the strangest records I've heard. But the songs are so damned beautiful.
And they lyrics are so damned corrosive and savage. I've never heard anything like it.

--
"The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nADV61C1zMA
--

I guess it's like 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' or America's 'Holiday' album, blend with early Dylan's attack lyrics like 'Positively Fourth Street'.

I guess this guy is a total jerk. Like Jim Morrison, he insults his audience. And he had a strange upbringing.

But along with Imelda May's 'Love Tattoo', this is the most memorable album I've heard in at least a decade. And the songs are so beautiful.

I suspect folks will be listening to this for a long, long time.

Whole CD "I Love You Honeybear" Father John Misty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caMfvhKIgBo
I don't know which song is my favorite. As the CD plays on, each song seems to be better than the previous one.
And they're all lovely except for 'Ideal Husband", which is a rocker.

"Bored in the USA" live on Letterman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIFrG_6fySg

----
Lyrics: "When Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment"

Oh, I just love the kind of woman who can walk over a man
I mean like a g*d damn marching band
She says, like literally, music is the air she breathes
And the malaprops make me want to fu***** scream
I wonder if she even knows what that word means
Well, it's literally not that

Of the few main things I hate about her, one's her petty, vogue ideas
Someone's been told too many times they're beyond their years
By every half-wit of distinction she keeps around
And now every insufferable combo
Features her patiently explaining the cosmos
Of which she's in the middle

Oh my God, I swear this never happens
Lately, I can't stop the wheels from spinning
I feel so unconvincing
And I fumbled with the buttons

She blames her excess on my influence but gladly Hoovers all my drugs
I found her naked with her best friend in the tub
We sang "Silent Night" in three parts which was fun
Til she said that she sounds just like Sarah Vaughan
I hate that soulful affectation white girls put on
Why don't you move to the Delta?
I obliged later on when you begged me to choke ya

 

[Sal]

Cool. This is the first I've heard him and at this point I'll say it's pretty interesting. His piano on Letterman was a surprise! Thanks for the post.

 

[davismanLV]

I kinda like this guy. The sound vs. lyrical impact.... such a dichotomy. I'm still digesting it. Thanks, Marc. :encouragement:

 

[S100]

I liked his first album, but haven't listened to this one, yet.

 

[Westerly Wood]

odd, getting up on the piano routine. not sure if he was just making fun or what, but, that song is just so boring i couldn't get thru it. he is totally bored in the USA, and he is really believable listening to that tune...

 

[S100]

Don't judge him by that song. I think it was more about the performance on Letterman and trying to be all theatrical. That's easily my least favorite song by him.

Try this one:

 

[marcellis]

Westerly Wood, I found the canned laughter and applause track kind of sad on "Bored in the USA". I too, had no idea what to make of the piano playing itself.

Don't judge him by that song. I think it was more about the performance on Letterman and trying to be all theatrical. That's easily my least favorite song by him.....

S100, where yat in Loozy-Anna? I read this guy just moved to Nawlins w/his wife.

I still go back once a year. Wife and I own a little bistro in Saigon. Best gumbo,jambalaya, blackened chicken in this part of the world.
Not a lot of competition, I grant you.

I'm thinking Josh Tillman/Father John Misty blew his wad on this CD. I don't know how he improves on "I Love You Honeybear".

 

[S100]

About 45 minutes north of New Orleans across that long, long bridge.

 

[marcellis]

About 45 minutes north of New Orleans across that long, long bridge.

I know that area well. We're probably from the same parish.
---

I've listened to these songs a lot lately. Bought the CD on iTunes. It's on rotation in the bistro. Yesterday, two customers asked, "Who's that?" While his songs were in rotation. The music stands out. The lyrics? Well....

The songs, melodies and orchestrations are beautiful. Chord patterns are original and they lead to surprising places. He has a great voice.

I still don't know what to make of his lyrics though. I've never heard such beautiful music put to such snarky, acid-tinged, petty lyrics.

I predict no good will come of this guy. He may OD. He may go back to his religion. He may go back to California. But I don't think he'll ever record such beautiful songs again. He'll sure as Hell leave New Orleans. That's just my gut instinct.

Before I woke up this a.m. I was dreaming the music to "Strange Encounter". I can't remember the last time I heard a Pop song in a dream.