Folk music has become increasingly popular over the course of the past few years, and a lot of artists have picked up an acoustic guitar and joined the movement. That's not to say that this is a bad thing. However, as with any other music genre, the critical listener must sift through the suspender-wearing sea in order to find the true gems. Joshua Tillman, taking the moniker Father John Misty, adds his unique flavor to folk music with his debut album Fear Fun.
Tillman, jaded by the overly-poetic lyrics of other folk artists, set out to write a startlingly real album about his experiences. He's quoted as saying, "I got into my van with enough mushrooms to choke a horse and started driving down the coast with nowhere to go. After a few weeks, I was writing a novel, which is where I finally found my narrative voice."
Fear Fun is not, however, just a simple drug-induced album with incoherent ramblings. Each song conveys an important message. The track "I'm Writing a Novel" condemns the way that we often judge others, believing that our opinions are more important than theirs. It says, "First house that I saw / I wrote 'house' up on the door / And told the people who lived there that they had to get out / 'cause my reality is realer than yours."
Tillman's musical composition is undeniably folksy, although he also incorporates other elements in order to make each song unique and entertaining. The tambourine and piano are staples of many tracks, and violins and horns make frequent appearances. "Well, You Can Do It Without Me" features Tillman whistling a portion of the chorus. Fear Fun possesses a hazy, dreamy overtone that meshes effortlessly with foot-tapping rhythm and meaningful lyrics. When it comes to folk music, Father John Misty is certainly at the forefront.
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