Taylor Swift releases her final “country” (a generous description) album, Red, in 2012, spends two years time doing whatever precocious twenty-something mega stars do, and then releases her pop magnum opus, 1989, in October of 2014.
Less than a year following 1989's release, Ryan Adams confirms in early August 2015 that he planned to record covers of Swift’s entire 1989 album in the style of The Smiths. He promptly releases the record on September 21, 2015.
A mere four hours later, the madcap troubadour, Father John Misty, releases his own homage to Adams’ homage, in the style of The Velvet Underground, as hinted by the famous Andy Warhol The Velvet Underground & Nico cover art released with the two singles.
Misty described the cover of “Blank Space” as his "interpretation from the classic Ryan Adams album '1989,'" and released an additional cover of “Welcome to New York” shortly after.
What can only be assumed as yet another undertaking in Father John Misty’s continued quest to skirt the line of entertainment satire and pure lunacy, as well as perplex the masses actually works as a serviceable fusion of Swift’s lyrics, Adams’ idea, Lou Reed melodies, and of course, Misty’s trenchant panache.
