Say what you will about Father John Misty, the dude is an incredible songwriter. Pure Comedy was one of the most hyped records of last year, but man did it deliver. Somehow he is able to talk about his cynical worldview into sarcastic hooks you can’t help but to laugh at. In “Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know Before the Revolution,” Father John Misty talks about what it would be like if society crumbled and we were left to fend for ourselves. Wouldn’t it be nice to know what kind of skills we should know before that happens? Well, we are pretty good at eating on the run..
What I really like about this song is the instrumentation. The piano is driving yet gives a platform that is not overpowering. The vocals are strong yet vulnerable. The delay on the snare is captivating. It all sounds good as a stripped song. But then you get some mild but lovely brass followed by some thick strings. The brass and string start to play with the lyrics, but then all of the sudden the whole swells into this giant ballad that somehow defines just how manic the revolution will be. The production value of this track is incredible. Every instrument sounds big and full, yet there's room for giant brass swells that give the piece so much more depth. This is where Father John Misty’s music has improved tenfold. He really lets the music play a crucial role in his songwriting that take it to the next level.
You can learn more about Father John Misty here:
About the curator - Nick Malpezzi
Nick Malpezzi is a lover of nature, cats, beer, and music. When he’s not at his day job he is recording artists, working on films, writing music, taking pictures and enjoying life. He believes complexity is derived from simplicity, which is seen in his musical tastes and original productions.
