God's Favorite Customer
by Father John Misty
  • Record Label: Sub Pop
  • Release Date: Jun 1, 2018
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 126
  3. Negative: 7 out of 126
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  1. frightopia
    Jun 5, 2023
    7
    A very solid album, however some of the songs have trouble standing out from the rest
  2. imthenoob
    Dec 25, 2021
    8
    This one is definitely a stand-out because musically, there honestly isn't much going on. It's a very stripped-down record that relies heavily on Father John Misty's amazing voice to make and deliver each track and it works, it really does. He's such an underestimated artist that still has yet to get his due despite a rapidly growing fanbase.
  3. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 2, 2021
    8
    His sophomore was falling in love:naive,vulnerable, brave and funny. In his latest release he is breaking apart,the love is waning. Fights result in separations to hotel rooms where the one person you always talk to is the one lost. It's really heartbreaking how hard they seemingly try to understand this shift, filled with self depreciation and delusions of grandeur we're guaranteed from aHis sophomore was falling in love:naive,vulnerable, brave and funny. In his latest release he is breaking apart,the love is waning. Fights result in separations to hotel rooms where the one person you always talk to is the one lost. It's really heartbreaking how hard they seemingly try to understand this shift, filled with self depreciation and delusions of grandeur we're guaranteed from a FMJ record except the graduer here is called for the excuse it is. Looking inwards most of these songs take place in his head. The uncertain fear on the title track is relatable when he wonders if his circumstances are from falling out with God or the slow ballad " the palace " which takes the cliche of a king lonely in an empty castle as a metaphor for his own loneliness whilst sequestered in a hotel room. The levity of "mr. Tillman" is a short lived joy ride that ends on the hilarious "date night" which through that mojo line calls back to the ridiculous humour of the palace "poem zone " joke. Fjm seems remorseful on the closing "disappointing diamonds " where he just wants to take the blame and move forward. If you ever wondered how a narcissist would handle a break up here's your lush answer.… Expand
  4. VirangaPerera
    Feb 23, 2020
    8
    Great album.I love the personal theme of the album.Production is great.I love the tune in mr.tillman.God's favourite customer is an another great ballad.Overall great album.
  5. sguy157
    Jul 26, 2019
    8
    A nice follow up to Pure Comedy. If I would use stand up comedy terms to describe the two albums, I would say that Pure Comedy felt like the punchline, while God's Favorite Customer was a tag. Oftentimes, a tag will get a good reaction from the audience, which is what I felt the case was here. At times, both albums share similar tones and themes. However, God's Favorite Customer is shorterA nice follow up to Pure Comedy. If I would use stand up comedy terms to describe the two albums, I would say that Pure Comedy felt like the punchline, while God's Favorite Customer was a tag. Oftentimes, a tag will get a good reaction from the audience, which is what I felt the case was here. At times, both albums share similar tones and themes. However, God's Favorite Customer is shorter and more varied. This album was definitely less ambitious and less conceptual than its predecessor, which is not necessarily a negative thing. There are a few weaker links here and there, and since the album is not as conceptual these points can stand out a bit more. But even the weakest points aren't actually bad. What really makes this record are Father John Misty's lyrics and songwriting. I think that "Disappointing Diamonds Are The Rarest Of Them All" is a very well constructed song, and the vocal melody on "Please Don’t Die" is beautifully put together. He also has a knack for writing guitar riffs that feel so grand and memorable, such as on "We’re Only People (And There’s Not Much Anyone Can Do About That)." In addition, the instrumentation on "Just Dumb Enough To Try" is simply gorgeous. You might not get the bold artistic statement that you would find with his previous work, but its not necessary for every album to have that attribute. If you're craving a collection of quality songs with outstanding writing, this is the place to be.… Expand
  6. Ricko
    Oct 3, 2018
    8
    The man may or may not have been aiming for self parody with "Pure Comedy" but the album was such a bloated, pontificating and essentially boring affair, Mr Tillman needed to deliver the goods with album number 4. Straight away you can hear there is more urgency and a renewed focus on the tunes. "Hangout At The Gallows" harks back to Misty's excellent debut, preachy yes but with derisionThe man may or may not have been aiming for self parody with "Pure Comedy" but the album was such a bloated, pontificating and essentially boring affair, Mr Tillman needed to deliver the goods with album number 4. Straight away you can hear there is more urgency and a renewed focus on the tunes. "Hangout At The Gallows" harks back to Misty's excellent debut, preachy yes but with derision and a snarl instead of a lounge music shrug of the shoulders of "Pure Comedy". The strangely titled "Mr Tillman" is straightforward country rock but with subject matter more engaging that normal (one of the artists personas). While you have more sombre moments like "Just Dumb Enough to Try", "The Palace" and "The Songwriter", they are interspersed in a balanced way across the album in between up tempo belters like "Date Night", "Disappointing Diamonds..." and "We're Only People...". "God's Favourite Customer" reminds me a lot of George Harrison's later Beatles work and early solo stuff at times. Whether it's the guitar tones or the general production, this is the flavour I'm getting and that for me is fabulous.… Expand
  7. MacsMusic
    Aug 26, 2018
    8
    GFC is nearly as ambitious or striking as John's fantastic Pure Comedy, but it has something that PC lacked; heart. GFC is a raw album, musically and emotionally, especially "Die," "Palace," and "People." These songs are great, with fantastic, honest, heartfelt lyrics, great singing, and some refreshing humor, specifically on "Palace." The lyrics on GFC are heartfelt and raw on a fewGFC is nearly as ambitious or striking as John's fantastic Pure Comedy, but it has something that PC lacked; heart. GFC is a raw album, musically and emotionally, especially "Die," "Palace," and "People." These songs are great, with fantastic, honest, heartfelt lyrics, great singing, and some refreshing humor, specifically on "Palace." The lyrics on GFC are heartfelt and raw on a few tracks, but have plenty of John's signature wit on others.

    The music is great; it's simple, stripped-back, and fits perfectly with the lyrical tone of the album. The only song that doesn't fully work is the title track, which is a bit boring and runs too long. Despite this misstep, GFC is a great album. It's honest, witty, and heartfelt with great music and vocals. It's an 8.5.    … Expand
  8. Tuneison
    Aug 19, 2018
    7
    I saw this album performed live. It was amazing. FJM is such a great performer although the album itself is kind of disjointed, with tracks feeling kind of safe all things considered. However it is still really great country rock, that I really love.
  9. SKSK
    Jul 21, 2018
    6
    The melody seems sometimes repetitive. It's a decent album but it does not add anything to your experience as a listener.
  10. Hipstersnob
    Jun 24, 2018
    7
    A good, well produced, emotionally sincere album. A low mark as some of the songs go on a little to long and pale in comparison somewhat to his earlier releases
  11. ProteinBoy
    Jun 22, 2018
    8
    1st listen - standout tracks are 'The Palace' ("Last night I wrote a poem/I must've been in the poem zone") and 'The Songwriter'....good but a bit too much like Jackson Browne or - heaven forbid - James Taylor or a spectrum of other 1970s soft rock crooners. (No? Have you seen that shirt-collar?)

    2nd listen - this is really appealing to me; playing the background but getting familiar    1st listen - standout tracks are 'The Palace' ("Last night I wrote a poem/I must've been in the poem zone") and 'The Songwriter'....good but a bit too much like Jackson Browne or - heaven forbid - James Taylor or a spectrum of other 1970s soft rock crooners. (No? Have you seen that shirt-collar?)

    2nd listen - this is really appealing to me; playing the background but getting familiar with these songs and enjoying the arrangements and what is a really appealing voice.

    3rd listen - singalong time and not a 'disappointing diamond' on the album.

    A very strong like. Maybe a love in time.....    … Expand
  12. fwtll636
    Jun 17, 2018
    9
    Perhaps Father John Misty's cynicism and selfishness is not as cutting-edge as it used to be, given the critic reception toward his newest release 'God's Favorite Customer'. Regardless, its an album about the most flawed, yet perfect man alive; filled with cheeky lyricism and hummable melodies that we have come to expect and love.
  13. TimW001
    Jun 5, 2018
    7
    The strength in lyrics and thoughtfulness remain consistent throughout the album. But I feel most of the album is a bit underwhelming. It often sounds like most of his work does, not offering much new to his discography. Though some songs are good to very good (Hangout at the Gallows, Mr. Tillman, Disappointed Diamonds, We're only people) many of the songs are just passable overall. Again,The strength in lyrics and thoughtfulness remain consistent throughout the album. But I feel most of the album is a bit underwhelming. It often sounds like most of his work does, not offering much new to his discography. Though some songs are good to very good (Hangout at the Gallows, Mr. Tillman, Disappointed Diamonds, We're only people) many of the songs are just passable overall. Again, the lyrics are outstanding but the overall sound we're not hearing anything new.
    Certainly a fan of Father John Misty will love the album but I'm not sure if it is his best work. It's fine.    … Expand
  14. Doof
    Jun 5, 2018
    6
    Rather safe, rather standard, and I'd rather listen to his last album but I appear to be in the minority in that. The degree of melodic and compositional recycling going on here is obscene. Still, it's listenable, the first three songs are solid enough, as are a couple of the later tracks. Still...I prefer antagonistic FJM. Bah.
  15. higgs1313
    Jun 4, 2018
    9
    God's Favorite Customer succeeds in portraying the complexities of love on the rocks in ways I was not prepared for. The last three tracks on the album channel Bob Dylan circa "Blood on the Tracks" and "Desire". There were moments where I was getting emotional due to the lyrical content of the songs (Please Don't Die and God's Favorite Customer being two of biggest gut-punches on theGod's Favorite Customer succeeds in portraying the complexities of love on the rocks in ways I was not prepared for. The last three tracks on the album channel Bob Dylan circa "Blood on the Tracks" and "Desire". There were moments where I was getting emotional due to the lyrical content of the songs (Please Don't Die and God's Favorite Customer being two of biggest gut-punches on the record). I think this is Tillman's best album lyrically and thematically speaking. I truly appreciate when an artist pulls the curtain back and lets listeners in on the personal issues that they endure.… Expand
  16. CiphirSol
    Jun 4, 2018
    9
    It's only natural certain doofuses would want to jump ship to another site considering the community they grew up with has mostly become an echo chamber.

    FJM is on-point here, more enjoyable than Pure Comedy b/c it's more personal and less social commentary.
  17. JRivera28
    Jun 3, 2018
    10
    God’s Favorite Customer es el álbum más amigable ala escucha de John Misty, en un intento de comercialización que resulta ser muy bueno y ala vez lleno de calidad.
    Tal vez el mejor trabajo discográfico del año hasta el momento o al menos uno de los mejores.
  18. TGirl292
    Jun 2, 2018
    10
    He did it again! God’s Favorite Customer is an amazing album full of heart-filled ballads, uplifting beats, inward looking self critique with probably some of the best lyrics Josh Tillman has written. He just doesn’t disappoint.
  19. nikoziko
    Jun 1, 2018
    8
    good performances good production it's not perfect but it has a lot going for it and honestly i liked it way more then pure comedy
  20. sslevanderbilt
    Jun 1, 2018
    9
    In many ways, this album serves as the anti-ILYHB. God's Favorite Customer features one heartbreaker after the other and often feels like the post-honeymoon phase of Tillman's songwriting. The album provides no pretense and is just straight-forward, beautiful, melancholy.
  21. Dev912912
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    Such a sad and honest album. Wonderful production by a truly singular voice, double entendre intended.
  22. aaaaa1
    Jun 1, 2018
    9
    Not a Father John Misty fan. Never listened to a full album by him before this. I listened to the opening song of Pure Comedy and I didn't like it. I decided to try this new album cause I liked the cover. Wow. I'm pleasantly suprised. The album is very calm and relaxing to listen to. FJM's vocals are beautiful and the lyrics aren't bad at all. I'm really loving this project.
  23. ArthurRibeiro
    Jun 1, 2018
    9
    Since the release of Mr. Tillman, I was already positive for what's to come. And after listening the album a few times, I'm really admired with this artist. I can see some influence in "Please don't die" from "Ballad of a Dying Man" of his last album.
  24. dmcg1990
    Jun 1, 2018
    10
    Fantastic album- everything we love about FJM with a new vibe to it, too. Heartbreaking, honest, hilarious, ultimately uplifting.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2018
59
#59 Most Discussed Album of 2018
13
#13 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 29
  3. Negative: 0 out of 29
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2018
    78
    While still supremely self-important, he probes his emotions like a narcissist at the mirror. The difficulty/trick comes in wondering whether Tillman goes out of his way to trip himself up.
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  2. musicOMH.com
    Jun 7, 2018
    90
    God’s Favorite Customer is the next chapter to Honeybear: the story of the hedonistic shroom-addled Hollywood waster who fell in love and started to grow up, even if the occasional pelvic thrust, sardonically raised eyebrow or over-dramatic fall to the floor wouldn’t go amiss.
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  3. The 405
    Jun 6, 2018
    55
    God’s Favorite Customer isn’t a bad album, yet it still feels like the weak link in the grand scheme of things. Fans of his previous work will still get a lot out of Misty's latest, but despite its subject matter, this album feels a little safe and inconsequential.
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