Father John Misty - God's Favorite Customer (Album Review)
Wednesday, 06 June 2018
Written by Liam Turner
Photo: Emma Tillman
No matter how dark and miserable a Father John Misty record may seem, there’s always an undercurrent of irreverent wit that allows for at least some semblance of light to cut through the gloom.
But ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ – the fourth album Josh Tillman has released under the moniker, and the first to feature his face on the sleeve – largely jettisons that trademark drollery, and instead paints a stark and intimate picture of one man’s inner turmoil.
Last year’s ‘Pure Comedy’ was something of a concept album depicting the doom of a tech-obsessed human society, sometimes from the point of view of an alien species from the future. But ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ simply follows Tillman as he places his life and relationships under the microscope.
“Oh, honey, I’m worried about you / You’re too much to lose / You’re all that I have,” he sings on Please Don’t Die, with his wife, the photographer Emma Elizabeth Tillman, seemingly the subject of the song, and much of the record itself.
It’s no secret that Emma has served as his muse, see 2015’s ‘I Love You, Honeybear’, and this record shows that the dynamic is something he’s all too aware of. “What would it sound like if you were the songwriter, and you made your living off of me?” he sings on The Songwriter, his pensive vocal accompanied only by a soft, delicate piano. Again, it’s one that comes straight from the heart, all punchlines purged.
Tillman the funnyman does show his face occasionally, notably on the (relatively) up-tempo Mr. Tillman. It’s an unequivocal highlight that sees Tillman descend into an alcohol-induced madness inside of a hotel room. “Mr. Tillman, for the seventh time, we’ve no knowledge of a film that’s being shot outside,” he sings, taking the point of view of one of the hotel’s receptionists.
As with any Father John Misty record, there are moments that irk and frustrate. Some familiar chord progressions pop up, not to mention the same slow, plodding tempos. If it wasn’t for Tillman’s knack for telling a tale and super-smooth, Elton John-like vocal delivery, they would likely descend into boring balladry.
But as a complete body of work, ‘God’s Favorite Customer’ makes for a shining addition to Tillman’s already glowing discography. It’s one that shows Tillman at his most forlorn and sincere, and crucially confirms his place as one of the finest songwriters of our time.
Father John Misty Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri October 26 2018 - GATESHEAD Sage
Sat October 27 2018 - LIVERPOOL Liverpool Olympia
Sun October 28 2018 - PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth Guildhall
Mon October 29 2018 - LEICESTER De Montfort Hall
Tue October 30 2018 - BATH Bath Forum
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