Father John Misty - Fear Fun
Critic Score
Based on 23 reviews
2012 Ratings: #135 / 1118
Year End Rank: #31
User Score
Based on 858 ratings
2012 Rank: #204
Liked by 87 people
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
The Independent

Fear Fun is the kind of album that can name-check Sartre, Heidegger and Neil Young in the same song.

90
DIY
It’s that confusion that makes ‘Fear Fun’ what it is – the more styles and lyrics jostle and reposition, the more we understand the man underneath it all.
84
Beats Per Minute

These twelve tracks are full, they’re self-aware, they’re straight up funny, and it’s these traits that immediately separate Father John Misty’s folk-rock from what Fleet Foxes do.

80
Q Magazine
Fans of Fleet Foxes will find much to enjoy on his seventh album: there's a backwoods feel to much of his material and no shortage of sublime melodies.
80
The Sydney Morning Herald
As Father John Misty, Tillman still bears some hallmarks of his previous - more gentle - persona but, for the most part, he's muscled up.
80
Spectrum Culture

Fear Fun is worth every one of the resources that went into making it.

80
Prefix

Whereas Helplessness lived up to its title through a narrator that found inspiration in leaving childish things behind, Misty treads the same notions of spirituality in a decidedly earthier manner.

80
NOW Magazine
Tillman’s voice sounds sublime delivering lyrics about sexy graveyard encounters, ex-girlfriends and the dark side of California living.
80
Uncut

Despite Tillman’s adoption of the Father John Misty pseudonym, Fear Fun is a very personal album.

80
Under the Radar

It's clear from the start with the gorgeous opener, "Funtimes in Babylon," that Tillman's is a singular talent

80
NME

'Fear Fun' is a country-leaning, wise-cracking masterwork.

80
AllMusic

Fear Fun's deft mix of folly and grandeur strikes a nice balance between the over the top hippie shenanigans of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros and the vapid, calculated debauchery of Lana Del Ray.

80
PopMatters

Ultimately, it’ll be hard to find a more awe-inspiring album this year than Fear Fun. This is a record that deserves a spot in just about any contemporary music collection.

80
musicOMH

If Fleet Foxes, or indeed, beardy folk/roots music in general, leave you cold, then you probably won't find much to enjoy with Father John Misty.

75
A.V. Club

Tillman soaks up the sounds, smells, and free-floating strangeness of his environment, and revels in its humanity. 

73
Pitchfork

Tillman varies things up on Fear Fun, reveals an adventurous palette, and makes what may be his best album to date.

70
Slant Magazine
These are songs about trying to find onself, realizing how cliché that quest is, and then further realizing that there's no choice but to push through anyway.
70
Consequence of Sound

A striking, adept piece made accessible by Tillman’s clear-as-a-bell voice, Fear Fun is the ideal companion for a weird headspace.

70
SPIN
Former Fleet Fox continues strong solo run with symphonic folk odyssey. Every vocal harmony shimmers.
60
The 405

With a few exceptions it's middle of the road music for middle aged middle managers.

60
Mojo
He stomps or sways along in the nu Seattle folk/rockabilly grave-fun way displaying a sing-the-phonebook grace.
60
The Observer

At 12 tracks ... Fear Fun could do with a good trim.

Shaze1
82

The authorities fear my version of "fun"

This is Sugar Daddy Johnny Misty's debut album, and it is called "Fear Fun", for the way authorities fear me when I have a box of matches and 15 gallons of gasoline.

Anyway, I like how "Fear Fun" is a unique and captivating mix of indie folk and psychedelic rock that showcases the Sugar Daddy Johnny Misty's raw talent and poetic lyricism. Throughout the album, Sugar Daddy Johnny Misty's lyrics are both introspective and ... read more

JacksonLerner
95

if adventure time were music, it’s this; this is sally hatchet.

this is nonchalantly epic. it’s hazily lush. it’s timeless, and it can be beautiful as any genre you want it to be. i would deem this album's genre as adventure-songwriter.

J.Tillman re-debuts solo music under a vague, chill name

halbery
77

Though it's a bit underwhelming when compared to his more recent releases such as Honeybear and Pure Comedy, Misty's debut provides its listener with jams, ballads, and plenty of nihilism. And really, that's all you need for a FJM record. Also I really want the album cover as a poster.

Least Fav Tracks: Well, You Can Do It Without Me , Only Son of the Ladiesman
Fav Tracks: Nancy From Now on , I'm Writing a Novel , This Is Sally Hatchet , Everyman Needs a Companion

JesusPigeon
88

While not as good as the two following albums, this album was still pretty good. The songs people seem not to like as much have a tongue-and-cheek charm that I enjoy.

LilDickyFan444
83

Dynamic performances from Josh, funny jokes, and lush instrumentation are what makes Fear Fun such a pleasant album to listen to.

Peddror
79

highlights: Only Son of the Ladiesman, This is Sally Hathet, Eveyman Needs a Companion.
lowlight: O I Long to Feel Your Arms Around Me.

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Added on: February 2, 2012