Fear Fun
by Father John Misty
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: May 1, 2012
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
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  1. The Boston Phoenix
    May 8, 2012
    100
    This stirring collection makes Father John Misty's debut one of the best solo efforts this year, a true freak-folk standout.
  2. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Apr 30, 2012
    100
    Fear Fun is the kind of album that can name-check Sartre, Heidegger and Neil Young in the same song.
  3. DIY Magazine
    May 7, 2012
    90
    One of the most endlessly intriguing albums of the year so far.
  5. Austin Chronicle
    May 10, 2012
    89
    Black humor, demons, g-o-d, easy women: Welcome to the cult of Father John Misty.
  6. Beats Per Minute
    May 24, 2012
    84
    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.
  7. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Jan 29, 2013
    83
    Though he dumbs up his songwriting half the time by fearing fun literally as regards forward motion, don't give up.
  8. The Guardian
    Dec 20, 2012
    80
    Fear Fun leaves his previous work in the dust.
  9. BBC Music
    Nov 29, 2012
    80
    [An] inspired brew of, indeed, both fear and fun.
  10. Q Magazine
    Jun 20, 2012
    80
    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. [Jun 2012, p.101]
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  11. PopMatters
    Jun 8, 2012
    80
    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.
  12. Magnet
    May 30, 2012
    80
    A captivating listen. [No.87 p.58]
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  13. NOW Magazine
    May 10, 2012
    80
    Tillman's voice sounds sublime delivering lyrics about sexy graveyard encounters, ex-girlfriends and the dark side of California living.
  14. Boston Globe
    May 9, 2012
    80
    Tillman had released solo records before joining Fleet Foxes in 2008, but none of them was as vivid as his latest.
  15. CMJ
    May 3, 2012
    80
    Some might listen to Fear Fun and hear a man feeling sorry for himself, but with melodies so sweet and sentiments so comically self-loathing, this album won't suffocate you with sadness.
  16. Uncut
    May 2, 2012
    80
    [Fear Fun is] packed with sardonic, self-effacing songs that recall the finest traditions of harmony-soaked West Coast folk-and-country influenced rock'n'roll. [Jun 2012, p. 68]
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  17. Blurt Magazine
    May 2, 2012
    80
    A nourishing collation, Fear Fun has more rock (than the work of Fleet Foxes, or on Tillman's previous solo work), masterfully nuanced production (by Jonathan Wilson), and some exemplary compositions.
  18. musicOMH.com
    May 1, 2012
    80
    Despite the prevalence of rootsy Americana throughout the album, there are a pleasing variety of styles on display.
  19. Under The Radar
    May 1, 2012
    80
    He confidently establishes himself here, and with a debut album as Father John Misty (he's also released several albums as J. Tillman) that's every bit a match for the brightest moments of Fleet Foxes' latest release.
  20. AllMusic
    Apr 30, 2012
    80
    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.
  21. New Musical Express (NME)
    Apr 30, 2012
    80
    A striking funereal stomp, considering its bleak subject matter, it really shouldn't be quite as sensationally sexy as it is.
  22. Prefix Magazine
    Apr 30, 2012
    80
    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.
  23. Filter
    May 3, 2012
    76
    [Josh Tillman] distinguishing himself as more than a back-row howler.
  24. The A.V. Club
    May 1, 2012
    75
    Tillman soaks up the sounds, smells, and free-floating strangeness of his environment, and revels in its humanity.
  25. Pitchfork
    May 14, 2012
    73
    Tillman varies things up on Fear Fun, reveals an adventurous palette, and makes what may be his best album to date.
  26. Dusted Magazine
    May 31, 2012
    70
    Overall, though, the mood on Fear Fun is consistent in its constant fluctuations; it's eerie when it needs to be and just familiar enough to lure in the listener.
  27. Consequence
    May 2, 2012
    70
    A striking, adept piece made accessible by Tillman's clear-as-a-bell voice, Fear Fun is the ideal companion for a weird headspace.
  28. Slant Magazine
    Apr 30, 2012
    70
    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.
  29. Mojo
    Jul 18, 2012
    60
    He stomps or sways along in the nu Seattle folk/rockabilly grave-fun way displaying a sing-the-phonebook grace. [Jun 2012, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  30. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 30, 2012
    60
    At 12 tracks, though, Fear Fun could do with a good trim.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Best Album of 2012
22
#22 Most Shared Album of 2012

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 72 out of 79
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 79
  3. Negative: 1 out of 79
  1. Vampire25
    Dec 23, 2012
    10
    I love this record. I love this record more than both Fleet Foxes album. Father John Misty is a perfect balance between pop, country, folk,I love this record. I love this record more than both Fleet Foxes album. Father John Misty is a perfect balance between pop, country, folk, and indie. From the start of the album to the end of it, it's some of the best music I've heard this year. The production is absolutely amazing. Some of the best production I've heard Sub Pop do. The song-writing is fantastic and the vocals are amazing. All In All, Fear Fun is an utter surprise and beautiful on the ears. A… Full Review »
  2. thatjacob
    May 7, 2012
    9
    This is currently in the lead for my favorite album of 2012, despite having a few flaws. Other reviews that I have read have mentioned thatThis is currently in the lead for my favorite album of 2012, despite having a few flaws. Other reviews that I have read have mentioned that the album needed a trim and that songs like "Well, You Can Do It Without Me" should've been cut. I have a harder time pinpointing what could have been trimmed. My favorite tracks are the ones that others seem to complain about. I love the country-tinged tracks far more than the ones that sound like they could have been fleet foxes songs at one point.

    Overall, this is a highly satisfying album an one of the few that has completely surpassed my expectations and actually excited me while I was listening to it.    … Full Review »
  3. MIKALE
    May 6, 2012
    5
    Not a bad album but not what I had expected, unfortunately in mostly an unappealing way. There's maybe three or so tracks that I enjoyed andNot a bad album but not what I had expected, unfortunately in mostly an unappealing way. There's maybe three or so tracks that I enjoyed and the "Hollywood Forever ..." track was the one stand out I'd add to my regular playlist. I kept wanting more of that but instead got plenty of pretty standard country influenced tracks.

    If your up for that then I think this'll float your boat, otherwise maybe wait to see where Misty goes next.    … Full Review »
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