Music > Album Reviews

Father John Mistry - I Love You Honeybear

20/02/15

Joshua Tillman has released seven albums as J. Tillman, one as Josh Tillman and this is his second album as Father John Misty. As you'd expect from a former Fleet Fox, this is 60s inflected and folky but with a goodly dose of early 70s Laurel Canyon pop. Think Midlake circa ...Van Occupanther and you won't be far away. This is brilliantly crafted and stunningly played but, for the most part, is too close to pastiche for comfort. If Christopher Guest had, after Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind, turned to singer-songwriters for his next mockumentary, this could be the soundtrack. At times, the lyrics are so earnest and cod-profound, it is hysterical. There are exceptions. True Affection is a cool slice of melodic electronica. With tougher beats, this would be everywhere. On standout track The Ideal Husband, Tillman channels Ian Hunter and Slade to create a stomping, glam-tinged rocker. This has the rock press in raptures. I don’t get it. I can admire the craft and the skill that is on display here. I will come back to it in the future and may even realise what all the fuss is about but right now I find little here to love.

6/10