Josh Tillman, aka Father John Misty, is one of those artists you either love or loathe. The former Fleet Foxes drummer has managed to cultivate a debaucherous character in Father John Misty, and it's often hard to draw the line between Misty and the real life Tillman. New single "Bored In The USA" isn't going to change that.
Doing his best Elton John impression, Misty broods over a delicate piano line about the lives of middle-class America and their chosen way of life. Similar to The Clash's "I'm So Bored With The USA," Misty challenges the emptiness of American culture, while his play on Bruce Springsteen's "Born On The USA" is another swipe at America's failing cultural identity.
Just as it seems Misty has written a meaningful and impacting song, the final verse is subject to a laugh track. That's right, canned laughter. Lines such as "oh, they gave me a useless education" and "keep my prescriptions filled" are underscored by laughter, relieving the sombre tone of the track.
It's hard to gauge how serious this tune is. Is this another satirical look at the hopelessness of people's lives from the ego driven Misty, or is this Tillman discussing his actual disgust with the way people chose to waste their lives in modern society?
Personally, I think it's a bit of both, but either way, Tillman proves he's a master songwriter and there is still much life left in his Father John Misty creation.
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