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I Love You, Honeybear & Pure Comedy - Father John Misty (Double Album Review by Firstflix Contributor, Stephen Ficek)

4/26/2017

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Father John Misty, AKA Josh Tillman, has returned in 2017 with Pure Comedy. It is his third studio album under this pseudonym, following 2015’s critically acclaimed I Love You, Honeybear. The long-time singer-songwriter and former drummer for Fleet Foxes provides a great opportunity to dive into these two recent records for my first double album review.

I Love You, Honeybear -

There is no doubt about it. As its name would suggest, I Love You, Honeybear is all about love. Pure, unadulterated, rock you to your core love. Through a diverse set of tracks, Tillman explores themes of affection, commitment, and self-deconstruction. And he does not hold back, becoming a complete sap over his love and devotion to his wife Emma.

Right from the opening title-track, the chorus triumphantly proclaims “I love you, Honeybear.” He opens his heart, and is not shy in letting you know why they are perfect together. His verses are punctuated by moments such as, “My love, you're the one I want to watch the ship go down with.”

The ride of love continues into the second track, “Chateau Lobby #4". It is one of the album’s most lusty and physical, backed with driving horns you would hear in a Spanish ballad. Tracks such as "Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddamn Thirsty Crow", "Strange Encounter", and "Ideal Husband" provide an introspective look into Tillman. He absolutely rags on his character and all the flaws that come with it. These narratives pair well with sentimental moments such as "When You’re Smiling and Astride Me". These contrasts show one of Tillman’s biggest strengths. The emotion in the music feels real. There are no empty gestures or stories on the album. It comes across completely down-to-earth, as he relentlessly tears himself down while singing endless praises of his wife.

Another one of Tillman’s strengths is a great sense of comedic relief. He never takes the album too seriously. This shines in the tracks "The Ideal Husband" – which describes exactly the opposite – and "Bored in the USA" – which plays off the famous Springsteen song.

The album keeps itself lively and energetic despite its subject matter through consistent, but diverse sounds. Tillman matches the subject of "The Ideal Husband" with the album’s most aggressive sound. He lets loose in the closing minute, as he screams his way through a drastic and personal breaking point. On "I Went to the Store One Day", he closes the album with lush strings and vocals to tell a sweet tale of his marriage’s future. For the most part, Tillman keeps a strong pop-sense and brings replay value to the music.

However, FJM’s tendency to change styles comes back to bite him on "True Affection". He rolls with an electronic sound, and he does not do anything particularly interesting with it. The track just seems to stick out as a musical sore thumb. And while "Bored in the USA" is a nice song by itself, it’s a bit distracting. Acting as a detour from the main subject matter.

While love is a relatively simple concept in music and has certainly been done before, Tillman’s endearing character carries the record. His romantic tales of the past, present, and future are some of the most compelling you will hear. This isn’t Disney or fairy-tale love. It’s raw and real. Full of honesty, humor, and captivating emotions – Father John Misty delivers a wonderful album backed with a catchy and gorgeous set of sounds.

Score: 8.75/10

Favorite Tracks: "I Love You, Honeybear", "Chateau Lobby #4", "When You’re Smiling and Astride Me", "Nothing Good Ever Happens at the Goddamn Thirsty Crow", "Strange Encounter", "The Ideal Husband", "I Went to the Store One Day"

Least Favorite Tracks: "True Affection", "Bored in the USA"
 
Pure Comedy -

From Pure Comedy’s opening cut, it is clear Tillman fails where he previously succeeded on I Love You, Honeybear. Taking the album too seriously. The album tackles a wide range of social issues and ailments, but ultimately fails to say anything that truly sticks. It lacks the raw, emotional punch of his last musical effort. Tillman is not as convincing as a deep-diving philosopher. You felt a lot more when he was just singing about his wife. The record just seems to lack a real sense of energy and relatability.

Without getting too detailed about the lyrics, Tillman does a decent job of describing all of his worldly opinions. "Leaving LA" is a 12 minute adventure of harsh Hollywood criticism. The title track is a solid introduction to everything that’s wrong with society. "Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution" is an interesting “what-if” about the world. "So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain" is my favorite narrative of the album. FJM tells a story about an elderly man reflecting on his youth, and it presents one of the more relatable and laid-back cuts from this record. But besides these select few, Pure Comedy feels repetitive. It’s as if he took "Bored in the USA" from his last album and extended it over 74 minutes. It can get old pretty fast.

Musically, Tillman ditches some of the pop appeal he had on Honeybear and instead aims towards more ambitious instrumentals. Strings and horns are featured prominently, giving the album a grander scale. Although the replay value is much lower here. Highlights include the moving orchestral section of "Leaving LA" that builds up over the lengthy track. "Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution" builds up to one of the album’s most lively climaxes, and then fades into a piano ballad that is built like a signature Elton John song. "The Memo" is most experimental cut from the record, featuring intriguing vocal distortions.

Overall Pure Comedy is a solid return for Father John Misty that does not pull its punches with the world’s social issues. However, the album falls short by taking itself too seriously. While Josh Tillman once again brings his signature sense of humor on some of the tracks, the album lacks any meaningful impact. It all becomes rather exhausting through the album’s extended run time. While I wish there was some more aggression in the music, Tillman shows an improvement in his composition by arranging an impressive set of instrumentation.

Score: 7.5/10

Favorite Tracks: "Pure Comedy", "Total Entertainment Forever", "Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution", "Leaving LA", "A Bigger Paper Bag", "So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain"
Least Favorite Tracks: "Birdie", "Smoochie", "Two Wildly Different Perspectives"
Image credit: ​By Ralph Arvesen - https://www.flickr.com/photos/rarvesen/15790868494/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38176862
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Music Mania! (Ed Sheeran - Divide)

3/7/2017

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Ed Sheeran is one of the few musical geniuses alive.  His pop music calculations have led to his success, starting from the bottom and working to the top of the charts.  At the young age of 26, Sheeran has released his third album, Divide.  Divide is a well balanced journey through beatboxing, latin guitar themes, soft ballads, and stadium-scale pop songs.  Every song is somewhat formulaic for pop music, but each differs and branches into a unique music zone.  The two hit singles are easily the most fun to listen to on the radio, but every one of these songs has a deep story behind the red-headed guitar player.  At the start of the album, you will probably rock and sway to the gospel-like "Castle on the Hill".  However, you will eventually start to tear up a bit by the end of the album as Sheeran reflects with "Save Myself".  This album is sure to win some awards when the time comes around!

Notable Tracks: "Castle on the Hill", "Shape of You", "Galway Girl", "Supermarket Flowers"

Similar Artists to Ed Sheeran: James Bay, Passenger, Sam Smith
Image credit: ​By Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia - Ed SheeranUploaded by tm, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25418814
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Music Mania! (Acceptance - Colliding By Design)

2/27/2017

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As a 90s kid, there has always been a special place in my heart for punk rock.  I grew up listening to a walkman that often spun Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, AFI, and Jimmy Eat World.  Yet, somehow this is the first time I have heard of Acceptance.  Colliding By Design displays the evolution of punk rock.  To conform to modern listeners, punk rock seems to have driven itself away from the emo scene and more into the pop scene.  Catchy choruses replace the blaring vocals of early punk music.  There is still a touch of angst in the music, but it is a bit more subtle and less rebellious.  Colliding By Design may not be considered as punk rock to many, but if you listen to more popular 90s musicians you will notice some similarities.  Acceptance's newest album reminds us that punk rock is still alive, but has seemingly come-of-age with its main listeners.  For these reasons, I cannot help but bang my head to this new album!

Notable Tracks: "Diagram of a Simple Man", "We Can Escape", "Haunted"

Similar Artists to Acceptance: Jimmy Eat World, AFI, The Starting Line
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Music Mania! (Molly Burch - Please Be Mine)

2/20/2017

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During my first listen-through, this album reminded me of the soundtrack for Pulp Fiction.  With smooth and clear vocals, Molly Burch brings the vocal era back to our minds.  The twangy guitar instrumentals add nostalgia for a time when music was heard in restaurants everywhere.  Listening to this album takes me far away from home, to sandy beaches and underground jazz clubs.  While her voice is clear, Burch's vocals bring haze into the atmosphere.  Most of the pieces are very slow, with a deep focus on the vocals.  Yet, the album constantly progresses forward with unique tracks.  The tracks are relatable, but they certainly do not all sound the same!

Notable Tracks: "Downhearted", "Torn to Pieces", "Not Today"

Similar Artists to Molly Burch: Angel Olsen, Maria McKee
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Music Mania! (Sampha - Process)

2/8/2017

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This album is odd, and unique to music.  Sampha is hard to categorize into one genre with his blend of pop, R&B, and experimental-style music.  "Plastic 100°C" starts the album off in an unfamiliar atmosphere, but it is also pretty darn catchy.  Process centers itself in a dreamy world mixing layers of vocals with acoustic and synthesized instrumentals.  Sampha also constantly shows off his capabilities and talents on the piano.  The slow ballad, "(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano", breaks down the multi-layered style that Sampha uses through most of the album.  The balance between instrumentally stripped vocals and multi-layered introspective works of art create an awesome atmosphere that reminds listeners of the creativity of Radiohead and the soulfulness of Simon & Garfunkel.

Notable Tracks: "Plastic 100°C", "(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano", "Reverse Faults"

Similar Artists to Sampha: The xx, KAYTRANADA, SBTRKT
Image credit: ​By Jon Elbaz - http://www.flickr.com/photos/79548207@N04/7188379455/in/photolist-bXdjLP-bXdjJR, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30158488
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Music Mania! (Kehlani - SweetSexySavage)

1/30/2017

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If you know me, you know that I am constantly looking for new music to discover.  Kehlani's new album is a genre that I have never explored before.  I have never explored contemporary R&B, so it was hard for me to connect to SweetSexySavage.  Yet, I hear the potential in Kehlani's voice.  Her soothing vocals glide over the often explicit lyrics.  As a singer, Kehlani hits all of the notes for the album.  It would be nice to see this talented singer/songwriter featured with other artists like Calvin Harris or The Chainsmokers.  The instrumentals on SweetSexySavage are a mix of mystically-toned stringed instruments and progressive drum beats.  One of my problems with this album is the generic sound throughout each song.  Maybe it is my inexperience with the genre, but none of the songs stand out as catchy to my ears.  That's not to say that the music is bad.  In fact, that may be a good thing for a contemporary R&B album.  Rhythm and blues is not usually loud or unique, but soft and soothing.    

Notable Tracks: "Undercover", "Escape", "Gangsta"

Similar Artists to Kehlani: Miguel, SZA, BJ The Chicago Kid
Image credit: ​By Tore Sætre - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50475914
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Music Mania! (AFI)

1/23/2017

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I don't think I have listened to an AFI album in 5 years, but this albums is a pretty fun revival for the band.  The tracks on AFI (The Blood Album) ranges from insane punk hits like "Dumb Kids" to slower haunting vocal performances like "Aurelia".  The instrumentals are intense, with cymbal crashes and quick guitar riffs.  The album reminisces on the music that 90s kids grew up with.  All of you angsty late teens and early twenty-year-olds will become nostalgic for the band again.  I'm not even going to lie, I still sometimes go back to "Girls Not Grey" when I need to rewind to simple high school times.  Nothing on this album is quite as catchy as "Girls Not Grey" or "Miss Murder", yet there is plenty of new stuff to enjoy from the band that has struggled to remain relevant to their main audience.  After a four year hiatus, these guys have finally come up with an album that is almost as fun as Sing The Sorrow.

Notable Tracks: "Aurelia", "So Beneath You", "Snow Cats"

Similar Bands to AFI: Blaqk Audio, Green Day, Blink-182, My Chemical Romance
Image credit: ​By SomewhatDamaged2 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/somewhatdamaged_2/198847747/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3431398
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Music Mania! (The Weeknd)

12/1/2016

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Last year, The Weeknd released an album that got crazy buzz around the US.  Just one year later, The Weeknd has released his third album, Starboy.  Starboy is similar to previous works, combining a smooth R&B genre with a classy lounge style.  A lot of the music is mysterious and odd, but somehow works well for the artist.  Personally the style is a bit too subdued for my ears, but I like the classy character that The Weeknd has become.  On this album, we get more collabs with other artists as well.  These include singles with Daft Punk, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, and Future.  These singles mesh The Weeknd's style with other popular artists, creating some really interesting tunes.  Honestly, these collabs are my favorite part of the album.  Still, it is important to realize that without The Weeknd's unique style, these collabs would cease to exist.  Plus, "Starboy" is his best song yet (followed very closely by "The Hills").  And for that, I am grateful for The Weeknd's new album!
Notable Tracks: "Starboy", "False Alarm", "Stargirl Interlude", "A Lonely Night", "Attention", "All I Know"
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Music Mania! (Kings of Leon, Coleman Hell, The Naked and Famous)

10/17/2016

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1. Walls by Kings of Leon - Caleb Followill has used his unique voice to attract attention to his band of relatives.  Kings of Leon is composed of three brothers and their cousin.  The whole family is in sync, bringing more great hits after the chart-topping song, "Use Somebody".  It amazes me to look back at "Use Somebody", which came out in 2008.  Their new album displays the consistency that this band has had throughout their discography.  The instrumentals are a blend of rock guitars and pulsing drum beats, always pushing the music forward with a few short halts for solos.  Personally, I did not realize that this new album came out last Friday until today, and boy am I glad I found it!  Sure, they haven't had any hits as attractive as "Use Somebody", but they certainly have a following and never disappoint that following.
Notable Tracks: "Waste a Moment", "Around the World", "Find Me", "WALLS"

2. Summerland by Coleman Hell - Finally, we get a full album with "2 Heads" placed in the middle.  When I heard "2 Heads" last year, I was instantly intrigued by Coleman Hell.  He walks on a boundary between indie rock and electronic music, which is always a fun time.  The album starts off with an odd chain-gang pulse, dragging us into the album.  Then we are thrown straight into the style that got us interested in Coleman Hell in the first place.  Syncopated rhythms keep us guessing what might pop up next on the album.  The album is well-rounded with a lot of songs to dance to, but also creations for our imagination to focus on.
Notable Tracks: "Fireproof", "2 Heads", "Northern Soul"

3. Simple Forms by The Naked and Famous - The nostalgia hits me big time with this album.  To me, The Naked and Famous and CHVRCHES are two bands that are pushing forward with each new hit.  This much anticipated album got me so excited that I bought a ticket to their concert at The Neptune next week.  After the romantic break-up between Thom Powers and Alisa Xayalith, fans were kept in the dark for awhile about what would happen next.  The result ended up being unimaginably fantastic.  In the past, there has been an odd balance between Powers's vocals and Xayalith's vocals.  This new album gives us a seemingly equal split of the two voices, portraying both of their talents.  The lyrics are deep along with the synthesized instrumentals, granting us a peek into the reality of the band's inner-struggle.  It is not everyday that a band has a romantic break-up and then collaborates to create a spectacular album.
Notable Tracks: "Higher", "Backslide", "Laid Low", "Runners"

Image credits: 
By Wonker - originally posted to Flickr as Kings Of Leon, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12105032
​By Ed Thomas - c_Coleman_10, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49570969
​By kris krüg - https://www.flickr.com/photos/kk/5539789665, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49858746
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Music Mania! (Green Day)

10/13/2016

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I took a bit of time away from the blog this week so that I could recoup and get my thoughts back in order.  To me, it is important that you are always passionate about what you are doing.  Sometimes maintaining that passion requires some time to reflect.  Rest assured though, I am back and ready to write some more again.  Last week, I hinted towards my hype for Green Day's new album and it would only be right if I talked about it today.
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Revolution Radio by Green Day - When I was younger, I used to board a yellow bus to a summer day camp every weekday morning with my walkman CD player.  Every day, I had the same three CDs which were The Eminem Show by Eminem, Youth by Matisyahu, and American Idiot by Green Day.  Since that time, I fell away from Green Day as their music became less attractive with too much angst and not enough of Jesus of Suburbia-esque tunes.  Finally, Green Day has once again made me proud of my childhood listening habits.  Revolution Radio brings us the punk-rock attitude that we are so accustomed to with Green Day through loud hits such as "Revolution Radio" and "Bang Bang".  However, the loud hits are accompanied by deep reflections in the hit songs, "Still Breathing" and "Ordinary World".  When I hear the bridge to "Still Breathing", my eyes start to tear up a bit as I think about the inner struggles that Billie Joe Armstrong recently discussed with multiple news sources.  If you listen to this whole album and just reflect, you get a picture of a band that has returned to its form after some harsh years of critic hate and internal conflict.  I am once again proud to proclaim that I am a Green Day fan!
Notable Tracks: "Bang Bang", "Still Breathing", "Youngblood", "Ordinary World"   

Image credit: ​By Lloyd Morgan, http://flickr.com/photos/lloydm/ - From http://www.greendayauthority.com/photos/37708/full/ — en:User:Coelacan has autolevelled and cropped the image using GIMP., CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1837237
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