Jon Patrick Titterington is easily best known as the piano man in Father John Misty. Like many an L.A. musician, he's also done TV work (heard of "The Bear"?) and does session work as well. All of that is to say that FJM fans might not expect the breadth and range that explodes from this set.

Jon Patrick Titterington See You at the Finish Line (Anxiety Blanket Records)

The chaotic orchestral sound that pervades this album has a lot to do with late 60s pop. But Titterington shifts gears almost constantly, with only the offhand musical performances holding this set together. That and the sly wink that never quite gives away the game. Are these songs all put-ons? I don't think so, but there's always another layer to be found.

Whether he's banging on a piano, electric piano or organ (or all three mixed together, as seems likely on some sets), Titterington never plays anything straight. Every song has a side-eye moment, as if collapse might be imminent. All of these songs can be enjoyed at face value, but that would be missing almost everything.

A dense, oft-cynical set of songs from an aging L.A. warrior. In many ways, guys like Titterington and Ward White (who takes his excess in a far different direction) illustrate the rot beneath all the beauty of La La Land. FJM fans may surprised by the sound, but not the depth of this album. A transfixing experience.

Jon Worley