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I saw Antony with an orchestra at Wilderness Festival this year, and bought this as a result. I was aware of him before, but after the live performance decided I could no longer be without some of his recorded work. This was my first choice as it is an award winner and I recognised a couple of the tracks from his live set. I have now gone on to buy other CD's by him, his most recent "Swanlights" is also amazing, but slightly more esoteric perhaps. 11 out of 10! Buy this record, it is absolutely stunning. You will not hear a more moving or unique voice. This is the real deal...he means it! something rare in the mainstream now. A must have recording, simple as that.
I love Antony's voice. His choice of songs is interesting too. I adore listening to this album! I saw him first on "I'm Your Man" - the tribute to Leonard Cohen...he was marvelous there, and he is marvelous hDere! Do get this album and listen to it yourself. I highly recommend it!
A very different kind of music but most enjoyable. Please note this kind of music will not appeal to everyone. I have now purchased 2 other albums by this artist.
It was with some shock that I woke up this morning and found that this cross-dressing ex-cabaret singer from New York had won the Mercury Music Prize. Not because of any hatred of transvestites and trans-sexuals or any deep seated love of Maximo Park. I just couldn’t believe that the judges had actually got something right. This is a record that richly deserves recognition for being as innovative, inspiring and individual an album as this reviewer has heard in the last year. His fat-man's warble is an acquired taste but like your first ever sip of alcohol, you are quickly addicted. Soon it reveals itself as a beautiful and haunting voice. The songs are piano driven with an epic, sensuous backing of strings and a changing line-up of musicians (The Johnsons) as well as numerous collaborators (including Lou Reed, Boy George and Rufus Wainwright). Antony's voice is the life and soul but his at times heart-breaking lyrics are the main body of these compositions. Many deal with feelings of trans-sexuality, such as the wonderful My Lady Story or the aching For Today I Am A Boy. Lines such as "My lady story is one of annihilation/my lady story is one of breast amputation" or "One day I'll grow up and be a beautiful woman/But for today I am child/But for today I am a boy" are set against soaring piano parts, symphonic harmonies and practically drip with emotion. It is this which makes this such a worthy Mercury choice. I Am A Bird Now deals with such un-mainstream issues as these with a spectacular and original musical voice. Anyone who fails to be moved by opener I Hope There's Someone's ode to loneliness with its gorgeously layered vocals and climactic wash of pianos is truly without heart. No-one, however, should be without this record.Read full review
'I Am A Bird Now' is the second full-length release from eccentric American combo Antony & The Johnsons. The band's unconventional appearance and their unique, bluesy torch songs make for an interesting and beguiling combination. It is though very much a “marmite” album – that being you'll either love it or hate it. Love it if you cherish originality. Hate it if you want manufactured x-factor pop nonsense. This is an album for those of eclectic tastes. Antony’s voice is “different”; he’s also a 6ft tranny and has been described as having a “face like a pug”. Ignore trivialities from your mates that “you're gay” if you like this and sit back and enjoy the heartbreaking sounds. “Hope There’s Someone” covers the loneliness of death and was the track I first heard and made me seek out this album. A piano ballad with a latter section that rises in tempo and noise – if you can get your head round this you’ll love the rest. “My Lady Story” includes the subject matter of breast amputation and includes a mournful contribution from a competent string section. “For Today I Am A Boy” covers a young man confused by his sexuality. “Man Is The Baby” is just the most beautiful piece of music you’re likely to hear with a 4-key piano chord you’ll want to play over and over. Boy George duets on another highlight “You Are My Sister”. Obviously not a song for kindred relatives but nonetheless if you have a sister she’ll love it if played / sent as a gift. “Fistful Of Love” covers domestic violence with some quite heartbreaking lyrics. One line ("I feel your fist and I know it's out of love") made me wonder why this is tolerated. Not sure what “Spiralling” is about. I have my own view and it’s no more a pleasant subject than the others covered here. The album closes with “Bird Guhl”. To describe this would exhaust all the positives imaginable. It is just such a wonderful, sad and beautiful piece of music, which befits an album of such quality. So then - you going to take a chance on this? I would as it comes greatly recommended by myself. If you don’t like - sell it again on ebay as someone else will – believe me!Read full review
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