Father John Misty, God’s Favorite Customer | Album Review 💿

After wowing on ‘Pure Comedy’ in 2017, Father John Misty exceeds expectations on his more accessible 2018 LP, ‘God’s Favorite Customer.’

Father John Misty (aka Josh Tillman) wasn’t supposed to return this quickly. Only slightly more than a year after the arrival of Pure Comedy, he’s back with God’s Favorite Customer.  Sometimes, quick returns aren’t worthwhile and don’t live up to the expectations of the album that precedes.  Pure Comedy and God’s Favorite Customer are quite different, but the common denominator is Mr. Tillman himself.  God’s Favorite Customer is much more accessible album, and thrives off how authentically Tillman presents mental health and marriage issues.

“Hangout at the Gallows”

Father John Misty kicks off God’s Favorite Customer in splendid fashion with ✓ “Hangout at the Gallows.” Vocally, Tillman sings expressively, incorporating a tasteful dose of falsetto on the inquiring chorus? “What’s your politics? / What’s your religion?” Filled with ear candy galore, “Hangout at the Gallows” is comprised of prominent use of piano, acoustic guitars, drums, strings, and backing vocals.  What a way to open an album.

“Mr. Tillman, good to see you again / There’s a few outstanding charges just before we check you in.” The opening line of ✓ “Mr. Tillman”, as well as the rest of the song, comes from the perspective of a hotel concierge – more on the hotel later.  Let the record show that Josh Tillman remains ‘true to self’ on “Mr. Tillman”, the promo single from God’s Favorite Customer.  “Mr. Tillman” is groovy, singer-songwriter/alternative rock at its best.  The lyrics are incredibly entertaining, novel, and tongue-in-cheek.  The chorus is hella catchy.

“I’m feeling good
Damn, I’m feeling so fine
I’m living on a cloud above an island in my mind
Okay babe, don’t be alarmed this is just my vibe
No need to walk around
No, it’s not too bad a crime.”

“Just Dumb Enough to Try”

Heavy piano chords at the onset serve as the backdrop for Father John Misty on stunning ballad “Just Dumb Enough to Try”. Tillman delivers beautiful, nuanced vocals, firmly in command as always. After a short span as a piano ballad (verse one), drums and rhythmic guitar join the piano (verse 2). On the first verse, he sings about being aloof regarding love.  On the second, he sings about his ability to write a song and compel his audience, but he knows very little about ‘her.’ On the third and final verse, he ‘knows women,’ but sort of suggests he’s ‘easy’ and simple. The chorus, which first follows the second verse, is the centerpiece.

“Oh, but I’m just dumb enough to try
To keep you in my life
For a little while longer
And I’m insane enough to think
I’m gonna get out with my skin
And start my life again.”

“Just Dumb Enough to Try” is another triumph for Tillman, though it doesn’t eclipse one-two punch of the opening duo.

Father John Misty kicks up the tempo and the groove on the brief, but highly effective “Date Night.” While Tillman always serves up distinct, oft-comical and quirky lyrics, perhaps ‘fun’ isn’t a word we associated with him. “Date Night,” like “Mr. Tillman” is indeed fun, matching the electrifying, rhythmic production work.

“Please Don’t Die” 

“One more wasted morning / When I could be holding you / To my side, somebody stop this joyless joy ride / I’m feeling older than my thirty-five years.” Following the lighter “Date Night,” Tillman becomes much more reflective and serious on the slower “Please Don’t Die.” Clearly, he’s been in a bad spot regarding his mental health and his wife is extremely worried about potentially losing him.  Not only does Tillman seem to realize how he’s affecting his wife, but he sings from her perspective on the thrilling chorus.

Trading one ballad for another, the haunting, piano-driven ✓ “The Palace” is even slower than “Please Don’t Die.” Like “Please Don’t Die,” “The Palace” also explores Tillman’s mental health issues as well as marital issues. Whether “The Palace” where Tillman has made his home for a period of time is actually a truly glorious, luxurious hotel is beside the point.  Father John Misty paints it as his ‘safe place’ from the outside world, yet he remains dysfunctional and lost. At the end, he comes to the realization, “…I think I’m ready to come home / I’m in over my head.”

“Disappointing Diamonds are the Rarest of Them All” 

Father John Misty (Josh Tillman) keeps things short on ✓ “Disappointing Diamonds are the Rarest of Them All”.  Despite the brevity, the production is alluring, including instrumentation including piano, guitars, bass, drums, and saxophone.  Vocally, Tillman serves up a liberal amount of falsetto, which is compelling if uncharacteristic. The lyrics exemplify typical, clever Father John Misty through and through. “Like a carcass left out in the heat / This love is bursting out of me.” Goodness gracious.  The centerpiece is the chorus, where the titular lyric comes into play.  “Disappointing diamonds are the rarest of them all / And a love that lasts forever really can’t be that special…” Yup, God’s Favorite Customer.

Listening to the superb ✓ “God’s Favorite Customer,” Tillman’s religious past is perceptible through the musical arrangement, production, harmonic scheme, and the songwriting.  The instrumentation plays a sizable role in the effectiveness of this number, incorporating electric piano, organ, and harmonica, in addition to the standard acoustic piano, acoustic guitars, drums, and supporting vocals (Weyes Blood).  The supporting vocals are absolutely chilling. Beyond the gospel-infused cues, there’s also the spiritual lyrics of the chorus, even as Tillman is no longer “God’s Favorite Customer” as he was when he was an evangelical Christian.

“Speak to me
Won’t you speak, sweet angel?
Don’t you remember me?
I was God’s favorite customer.”   

“The Songwriter” 

The beat goes on for Rather John Misty on the incredibly slow piano ballad “The Songwriter.” The penultimate number is far from the most thrilling of God’s Favorite Customer, but once again, it finds Tillman showcasing incredible authenticity.  The tables are turned, hypothetically, as Tillman wonders how his wife would portray him and their marital issues if she were the songwriter and not him.  “Would you undress me repeatedly in public / To show how very noble and naked you can be?” Father John Misty concludes with “We’re Only People (And There’s Not Much Anyone Can Do About That).” Here, he reflects on how flawed all people are – we all have our fair share of issues.

Final Thoughts

Wow – I’m totally speechless after listening to God’s Favorite Customer.  After Father John Misty ‘put on the dogs’ for Pure Comedy in 2017, I had lower expectations for whatever reason for God’s Favorite Customer.  In reiteration, God’s Favorite Customer is more accessible than Pure Comedy and doesn’t sacrifice Tillman’s excellent songwriting or vocals.  In fact, how personal he gets on this album bodes extremely well in his favor.  Easily, God’s Favorite Customer is among the best of 2018.

✓ Gems: “Hangout at the Gallows,” “Mr. Tillman,” “Please Don’t Die,” “The Palace,” “Disappointing Diamonds are the Rarest of Them All” & “God’s Favorite Customer”

Father John Misty • God’s Favorite Customer • Sub Pop • Release: 6.1.18

Photo Credit: Sub Pop