As this country finds itself heading into dark and unfamiliar territory, with the president sending out tweets like an angry preteen and slinging bombs at airfields, there is no shortage of controversial topics for musicians to write about. When tough times hit, some of the most passionate, meaningful and personal work can be made as a result.
While most anti-Trump songs tend to be cringe-inducing, there have been some that have really hit the nail on the head. A Tribe Called Quest’s “We the People” is one that immediately comes to mind, mainly because it was well-written and thought out, not just pandering.
“Pure Comedy” is written in that same vein, with each song exploring a sensitive topic in depth, while never feeling too direct. http://westernvinyl.com/artists/j-tillmanJosh Tillman (a.k.a. Father John Misty) has been a renowned singer and songwriter for over a decade. Starting out with four years of writing solo work, Tillman found himself in his first serious role in 2008, becoming the drummer for the popular indie band Fleet Foxes. After leaving the band a few years later, he continued his solo career under the moniker J. Tillman, with his projects gradually getting more and more ambitious.
It was not until July that Tillman found himself switching gears completely, preaching onstage during the New Jersey Music Festival about things such as government corruption and the election, channeling the anxiety that most people were feeling at the time. This was most likely the time Tillman started working on “Pure Comedy,” as the lyrics on each track share the same passion as his rant that night.
“Pure Comedy,” the first song on the album, is powerful and gut-wrenching, a slow piano ballad that builds its way up to an explosive finish. In it, Tillman makes remarks on religion, human behavior and the absurdity of the country’s current political climate.
“Where did they find these goons they elected to rule them?” Tillman sings, backed by a full band. “What makes these clowns they idolize so remarkable?”
Tillman can border on pretentious at times, but he keeps the writing mysterious and cryptic enough not to cross that line.
“Total Entertainment Forever” is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on this generation’s obsession with instant gratification and their inability to step back and take a look around. The track packs a punch, filled to the brim with almost every instrument imaginable, with Tillman in the front, passionately strumming his guitar.
“When historians find us we’ll be in our homes, plugged into our hubs,” he sings.
“Ballad of the Dying Man” is an absolute masterpiece, with a mixdown that makes it incredibly satisfying to listen to. Full of emotion and brutal honesty, Tillman really exercises his voice, hitting some impressive high notes. The band he works with is top of the line, working perfectly alongside him. Along with being very well produced, each point made feels meaningful, creating an emotional rollercoaster for the listener.
Piano is a mainstay on each of the songs, carrying the soulful melodies along. Older Elton John or George Harrison tracks come to mind, suggesting there is a good chance they would be big fans of this album.
Compared to older Father John Misty albums, “Pure Comedy” feels more traditional, hailing back to a time when big name artists worked with full bands in a studio, instead of relying on ghost producers to get everything done for them. It is a breath of fresh air and some of his best work to date.
