You’re not experiencing a case of Déjà vu, a couple weeks ago our song of the week was also the brilliant Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings by Father John Misty, aka Josh Tillman.  I don’t adhere to any kind of rules for this column but it was my intention not to publish back to back articles concerning the same artist.  Obviously I broke that non-rule, thanks to yesterdays release of another song on the forthcoming album Fear Fun, Nancy From Now On.  It’s just too good not to include.

Because I already told the story of Josh Tillman and his transformation into Father John Misty, I’ll instead put a stronger focus on the song itself.

It wasn’t until I began listening to Father John Misty that i realized just how little I paid attention to song lyrics.  I might sing along to a good song or admire the quality of the words when strung together.  Tillman’s lyrics are so wonderfully blunt and jarring that they grab you by the shirt collar and force you to take notice.

I need another drink and punch me in the face – you can call me Nancy – every man wears a symbol and I know I have mine  -  I’ve got my right hand stamped at the concentration camp where my organs scream slow down man.

They’re beautiful, funny, troubling, and fun.  I hate to make this comparison, but I try to go with my gut – his lyrics remind me of the late Kurt Cobain’s.  Often absurd, contradictory, and tow a humorous line.

Good lyrics don’t make the song alone, it needs great music and a sympathetic voice to make it fly.  FJM finds just the perfect tone to capture the moment of the emotion in the song.  Nancy From Now On has a distinct Roy Orbison, Harry Nilsson feel, reminiscent of I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City – again, my gut reaction.  Where Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings was pure rock, this is like adult contemporary for a drug addled soul.

This song is equally as infectious as its addictive predecessor.  I’ve caught myself no fewer than a dozen times singing it out loud from nowhere, including in a crowded store.  If you’re currently in recovery from HFCS, sorry this one will throw you off the wagon again.

I can’t believe I have to wait until May 1st to hear the entire album.  Luckily April is a great month for new albums and Solid Home Life (April 10th) and Ruby Fray’s Pith (April 17) will serve as a delicious distraction.  You can download Nancy From Now On right here for free.
Father John Misty – Nancy From Now On by subpop
Once again, the video for this song is wild, and totally crazy, maybe even a little fucked up… I love it.