Customer Reviews

Hope There's Someone

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I must say that Antony has not yet ceased to amaze me. This, his second EP since the release of his sublime sophomore album "I Am A Bird Now," continues to prove -and probe- the depth and sensitivity of Antony's songwriting.
As it was the case with his prior EP, "TheLake," the new, unreleased songs are as good if not better, in some cases, than the material featured from the above-mentioned full length album.
"Songs like "The Lake," in the earlier EP, or these NON-LP B-sides -"Frankenstein" and "Just One Star"- in this one seemed to have taken his lyricisn further, yet stripping it of the dramatic vein common in his songs.
They are indeed moving and vulnerable pieces, managing a certain kind of intimacy born of his intent to connect with you, artist to listener, person to person.
This is also profoundly clear when it comes to visual imagery. Included is the video of "I Hope Thre's Someone," a great song in its own right, which also manages to evoke the type of tenderness and loss and doubt -so present in Antony's lyrics- with very simple yet powerful images.
All in all, a wondrous gift, with plenty to explore and embrace. Quite remarkable a feat for three songs and a video.

Visiting my daughter & her precious friend in ALBQ, they played Antony while cooking dinner. I was beautifully lost until the 3rd song,and finally asked " who is this?". Like many of us that create art about our pain, journey and forgiveness, it was like I was a child hanging on to a window pane, watching my own life dance and for some reason every thing was ok now. There is a time and place for everything, that was my time to discover this fabulous pouring out of warmth. Antony's vibrations and energy open the bottle of mist that breathes deep in the heart, releasing the suffering breath by breath.

Antony has what is unquestionably one of the most distinctive vocal styles on the planet today. Initial impressions of Antony can often be violently negative because of this. However, those with the wherewithall to patiently and attentively listen will find themselves just as violently captured by this irresistable music. Ranging between precious and delicate to ferocious, Antony & the Johnsons makes dedicated fans and true believers out of unsuspecting ears. A singular musical experience.

This isn't the best piece of music - I would say only someone who already knows they like Antony and the Johnsons would appreciate it. And, if you think you like them because of his awesome covering of Leonard Cohen's "If it be you will" then you might want to think again. Personally, that bit Antony did for the "I'm your Man" dvd is the only thing I truly like that I have heard from him. Still, I respect his talent and his originality.