J. Tillman of Father John Misty has resuscitated the spirit vintage Mick Jagger swag on the main stage. Tillman stage presence embodies smooth dance moves, witty humor and the creepiness of a college professor ready to pounce on any eligible co-ed all wrapped into one of the better songwriters to surface in the last couple of years. I had dismissed the Father John Misty project as a Fleet Foxes side project and didn’t think that the music had enough “legs” to get any of my attention. Last night’s set flashed glimpses of “jammy” and “funky” tendencies in ways that made “Terrapin Station” such a jam-band mainstay.
The Walkmen continue their upward trend of maturation as fathers, husbands and uncles as a group that becomes more distinguished in the music world with every album release. “Heaven” is their most “grown-up” album to date with vocalist Hamilton Leithauser taking the charge with his unflappable demeanor. Last night displayed a perfect mix of cherry picked tracks taken off of their seven albums with “Lisbon” getting the lion’s share attention. The Fat Possum alum hit their stride on a spot on version of “Woe Is Me” and a crushing take on “”In the New Year.” The longevity displayed by the DC natives has translated into a musical output that is roughly averaging a new album every 1.5 years. Based on that information, we should be looking for a new album by the end of 2014.
the Walkmen – Angela Surf City (live on WXPN) [mp3]
Father John Misty – Nancy From Now On (MP3)
Father John Misty – Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings (MP3)
the Walkmen ::: “In the New Year”
Father John Misty
