This album is Antony and the Johnsons first album and is self titled Antony and the Johsons. macca8100 wrote about their second album 'I am a bird now' which is also excellent as macca pointed out.
I feel that I should give a review of their first album because I don't think it is as well known as their followup, possibly due to their second one winning them their mercury music award and being as it is full of guest stars (Lou Reed, Boy George, Devendra Banhart and Rufus Wainright) which certainly lent it some musical authenticity that allowed him to break in to the british market (even though he is british he lives in america and started his career there).
The track list for Anthony and the Johnsons is: 1. Twilight 2. Cripple and the Starfish 3. Hitler In My Heart 4. The Atrocities 5. River of Sorrow 6. Rapture 7. Deeper Than Love 8. Divine 9. Blue Angel
The album starts, for me, with the best three song opening i have heard for a long time. Twilight, Cripple and the Starfish and Hitler In My Heart are all outstanding and after listening to those its hard not to finish listening to the rest of album.
1. Twilight - The opening of this gives Antony (Heggarty) a perfect chance to flex his voice. Aided by just his own piano and hi-hat, he flys up and down the keyboard both playing and singing. Gradually the song becomes more and more intense, getting more complex with the addition of cello and guitar.
2. Cripple and the Starfish - This starts with a beautiful piano-cello combo before Antonys lucious voice comes in. The lyrics in this seem strange at first but begin to make sense as you are listening. Its a rather uncomfortable story of very unbeautiful things juxtaposed against the beauty of the song.
3. HItler in my Heart - The main feature of this song is an enthuiastic use of arpeggios on the piano, and an amazing vocal performance from Antony who is really showing off by this point in the album. This track also has some more haunting lyrics in.
By this point in the album, most people are slack-jawed in suprise at how beautiful his voice is. It just seems too effortless for him to sing.
4. The Atrocities - It would be easy to say that this isn't quite as good as some of the other songs and that would be true. However, it is still an amazing song. The only reason why it is doesn't stand out as much as the other ones is that Antony doesn't show off that much in it. Its just a nice, easy listening song. Of course there are moments of pure delight in it :)
5. River of Sorrow - This is the most hauntingly beautiful song on the album. Haunting melody, voice and lyrics. Powerful yet thoughtful and very satisfiying.
6. Rapture -- This is another song like The Atrocities. Amazing in every way yet not quite as powerful as some of his other songs.
7. Deeper than Love - Lovely cello in this song and a tight rhythm that encompasses you straight into the song.
8. Divine - Another chance for Antony to flex his vocal talent. His voice is the main instrument in this song, and more powerful than many instruments that other modern bands are playing!
9. Blue Angel - The last song on the album brings together all that is good about Antony and the Johnsons, great music, great voice, great lyrics. A brilliant way to end a brilliant debut.
Many people don't believe that Antony Heggarty can possibly sound like he does on CD. Well, December 2005 I went to see him in York Opera House. As he came on to the stage and sat down at the paino there was a hushed silence such that I had never heard before. The sense of anticipation was palpable. And as the first notes came from his voice we realised that there can't have been almost any voice altering done in the studio. He barely had to open his mouth and out came the most breathtaking notes that I have ever heard.
I really do recommend listening to this. The music might not be to everyones taste but everyone will surely appreciate the beauty of his voice.
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This IS a very good album. I will be seeing antony at a Leonard Cohen tribute in Dublin next month.
rednirt 27.04.2006 13:26
I enjoyed your review - this album is simply gorgeous, I strongly urge others to listen to his work, expecially some of the songs not on his albums (e.g. The Lake, it is quite heartbreakingly beautiful).
loki23 31.03.2006 09:31
Very good review! I found his voice interesting (reminds me of Nina Simone among others). Subject matter seems to be quite dark.
Mar 30th, 2006
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