search for something...

search for something you might like...

30 from 17: Father John Misty's Pure Comedy Isn't Always But is Often Pure Comedy is strong on self-analysis, well isn't it ever?

30 from 17: Father John Misty's Pure Comedy Isn't Always But is Often

Pure Comedy is strong on self-analysis, well isn't it ever?

by Jay Lewis, Reviews Editor
first published: December, 2017

approximate reading time: minutes

A challenging 74 minutes

3017#28
Father John Misty
Pure Comedy
(Sub Pop)


Well, this is the number one album of the year in The Times, but we do things differently here!  I'd rather be hypnotized by the album at number 27 (which is gonna be with you in two shakes of a lamb's tail, or something...)

Anyone expecting another chapter of  the Father John Misty romantic confessional that made 2015's I Love You Honey Bear, such an engaging listen,  should look away now. 

Within the first five minutes of Josh Tillman's latest outing as Father John Misty he manages to cram in his theories on the 'miracle' of childbirth, the roles apportioned to men and women in childcare, his condemnation of multinational corporations, US politics and organised religion.   This is all in a song is called 'Pure Comedy' and Josh's personal brand of humour is a dark and extremely caustic one.

Tillman doesn't hide from being controversial either. The single 'Total Entertainment Forever'  speculates on how society debases technology by opening with the line 'Bedding Taylor Swift, every night inside the Oculus Rift', imaging a future where the pop star is turned into a virtual reality sex toy.  There's a further stab at our misuse of technology in Ballad of Dying Man, which pillories a character so obsessed with social media that he needs to 'check his news feed' before he takes his final breath.  

Tillman is aware of how his shift in perspective may be met by the public, on the sombre 13 minute Leaving LA he takes on the voice of a former fan:

"I used to like this guy (but)
This new shit really kinda makes me wanna die"

Throughout the songs 10 verses (no choruses), Tillman ridicules himself, deriding the character that he has created.  This would sound indulgent and self pitying in other hands but Tillman delivers his story with self deprecating humour, together with a sympathetic arrangement (French horns, cello, violins), that makes it such a compelling listen.  

The self analysis of the Misty persona continues on A Bigger Paper Bag where he confesses: I've got the world by the balls! Am I supposed to behave? Startlingly, he does this without ever sounding obnoxious.  But his broadest attack on the music industry comes with The Memo:  'Here at the cultural low watermark, if it's fraud or art, They'll pay you to believe'. Only here does he start to sound sanctimonious.

At a challenging 74 minutes, Pure Comedy can be an exhausting album to get through, but the mastery of his songwriting, matched by the subtle arrangements, make Pure Comedy an insightful, sardonic and frequently hilarious album.

Jay Lewis
Reviews Editor

Jay Lewis is a Birmingham based poet. He's also a music, movie and arts obsessive. Jay's encyclopedic knowledge of 80s/90s Arts films is a debt to his embedded status in the Triangle Arts Centre trenches back then.


about Jay Lewis »»

Pete Williams web banner

RECENT STORIES

RANDOM READS

All About and Contributors

HELP OUTSIDELEFT

Outsideleft exists on a precarious no budget budget. We are interested in hearing from deep and deeper pocket types willing to underwrite our cultural vulture activity. We're not so interested in plastering your product all over our stories, but something more subtle and dignified for all parties concerned. Contact us and let's talk. [HELP OUTSIDELEFT]

WRITE FOR OUTSIDELEFT

If Outsideleft had arms they would always be wide open and welcoming to new writers and new ideas. If you've got something to say, something a small dank corner of the world needs to know about, a poem to publish, a book review, a short story, if you love music or the arts or anything else, write something about it and send it along. Of course we don't have anything as conformist as a budget here. But we'd love to see what you can do. Write for Outsideleft, do. [SUBMISSIONS FORM HERE]

WRITERS thru' the Years

A.I. House-Painter, Agata Makiela, Alan Devey, Alan Rider, Alex V. Cook, Ancient Champion, Andy Allison, Annemiek, Becca Kelly, Belle Plankton, Bruce Bailey, Caiomhin Millar, Cassie Thomas, Chantal, Cheiron Coelho, Chris Connolly, Christian Present, Damon Hayhurst, Dan Breen, Danny Rose, David Hackney, David O'Byrne, Denni Boyd, Dirty Lillie, DJ Fuzzyfelt, Dr. Rich, Dr. Richard Bennett, Duncan Jones, Erin, Erin Pipes, Erin Scott, Gracey Babs, Graham Baker, Guilaine Arts, H.xx, Hamilton High, Henderson Downing, Holly Martins, J. Charreaux, J.Lee, Jay Lewis, Jaycentee, Jennifer Lynn, Jenny McCann, Jeremy Gluck, Jez Collins, Joe Ambrose, John Robinson, Jonathan Thornton, Julie O, Karl Morgan, Katherine Pargeter, Kelsey Osgood, Kevin McHugh, Kiah Cranston, Kleo Kay, Lake, Lee Paul, Luke Skinner, Malcolm, Marek Pytel, Mark Piggott, Martin Devenney, Meave Haughey, Michelle Williams, Mike Fox, mindy strouse, Neil Campbell, Neil Scott, Ogglypoogly, OL House Writer, Pam, Paul Burns, Paul Hawkins, Paul Mortimer, Paul Quigley, Peter Williams, Pixie McMowat, Pixievic, Rene Williams, Richard John Walker, Rick Casson, Rikki Stein, Ronan Crinion, Rowena Murphy, Ruby Lake, Ryan 'RJO' Stewart, Samantha Charles, Seth Sherwood, Shane O'Reilly, Sheridan Coyle, Sofia Ribeiro Willcox, Sophia Satchell-Baeza, Spanish Pantalones, Speedie John, Spencer Kansa, Steve McCarthy, The Conversation, Tim London, Tim Sparks, Tony Fletcher, Toon Traveller, Trevi, Urs Lerch, Wayne Dean-Richards, and founders, Alarcon & Lamontpaul

OUTSIDELEFT UNIVERSE

Last Night of the LTB Showrooms
OUTSIDELEFT Night Out
weekend

outsideleft content is not for everyone