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Fear Fun
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Fear Fun Image
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 79 Ratings

  • Summary: J. Tillman, the former drummer for Fleet Foxes releases his debut solo album as Father John Misty.
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  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Genre(s): Americana, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Indie Rock
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Top Track

Nancy from Now On
Oh pour me 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... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  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. Austin Chronicle
    May 10, 2012
    89
    Black humor, demons, g-o-d, easy women: Welcome to the cult of Father John Misty.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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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  6. The Guardian
    Dec 20, 2012
    80
    Fear Fun leaves his previous work in the dust.
  7. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 30, 2012
    60
    At 12 tracks, though, Fear Fun could do with a good trim.

See all 29 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  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… Expand
  2. MooziikMaster
    May 22, 2012
    9
    He is much better with Fleet Foxes than when he is alone as "Father John Misty", but the album has many Fleet Foxes elements deep within. IHe is much better with Fleet Foxes than when he is alone as "Father John Misty", but the album has many Fleet Foxes elements deep within. I found that this album was quite good and I had a couple of listens to it. Overall, not bad... keep up the good work.… Expand
  4. 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.    … Expand
  5. Ricko
    Jul 5, 2012
    7
    I'm a big Fleet Foxes fan so when I heard this record was put out by a former member I was eager to check it out. Although quite different toI'm a big Fleet Foxes fan so when I heard this record was put out by a former member I was eager to check it out. Although quite different to the Fleet Foxes in many ways, you can see how J Tillman's musical tastes and abilities fitted in nicely with the West Coast hippy folk rockers. Fear Fun is a hippy folk record but with a twist. It reminds me of the Eagles a little but with some of The "Let it Be" era Beatles stuck in there as well. Of course Father John is his own artist and the record certainly has his own stamp on it. It's a good record that I enjoy listening to and it captures the feeling of living out of a VW van pretty well. Hollywood Fever is the standout for me.… Collapse
  6. frightopia
    Apr 15, 2023
    7
    This is truly a charming album, can't wait to explore the rest of Father John Misty's work!
  7. PooPooPerson
    Jul 2, 2013
    7
    A lot of the songs sound like "something" you've heard before, but every track is solid. I wish he stayed in Fleet Foxes because he and RobinA lot of the songs sound like "something" you've heard before, but every track is solid. I wish he stayed in Fleet Foxes because he and Robin had great chemistry … Expand
  8. armcosmo
    Mar 14, 2015
    2
    I purchased this based on the reviews here. At first I though that the speed on my deck was incorrectly set. Nope 33.3 is right. What is wrongI purchased this based on the reviews here. At first I though that the speed on my deck was incorrectly set. Nope 33.3 is right. What is wrong is the Gregorian like, pro-tools distorted vocal on this Album. I will confess that i never got past Side A. It was just to annoying to listen to. Must be the negative influence from my past life as a Catholic. I never really research the music I purchase because that would be a bit of a spoiler for me, after all, some of listening to a new album is hearing it for the first time. I have changed my thinking thanks to Father John Misty. Really? I give it a two, the music is pleasant for the most part but the vocals completely ruin it for me.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

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