|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
- Includes FREE MP3 version of this album Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
Review
"A soul stirring new work with daring compositions and captivating vocals. This isn't a heart breaking; it's a heart waking." --The Oregonian
Product Description
The follow-up to "I Am A Bird Now" shifts thematic focus and explores Antony's relationship with the natural world. The intimacy of the Johnsons' sound is enveloped by avant-classical composer Nico Muhly's symphonic arrangements.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is Antony's best album yet. Though I enjoy his previous albums immensely, I have had to listen to them several times before I realized the sheer genius behind them. This album, however, I fell in love with from the first listen (which was only a few hours ago as it was officially released the day of this writing). Literally every song is a masterpiece of heartbreaking and fragile beauty. The instrumentation alone is suberb and awe-inspiring. Add to that Antony's ghostly, gentle, and emotionally-charged vibrato, and what you have is an incredible work of art that is in a league totally of its own, far surpassing the stagnant and dull world of most contemporary music. The songs here transcend all categorization, including that of "happy" or "sad." They sound instead like dispatches from "another world," a world where our petty concerns are lost in an overwhelming tide of beauty and purity. Rarely does a CD provoke such feelings in me. Thank you Antony, thank you.
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Let's start by saying that you either are going to love Antony's voice, or you are going to be seriously scared by it. If you have not heard "I Am a Bird Now" or any of his other works, then prepare to be challenged by something completely different. If you have heard "I Am a Bird Now", then prepare to be challenged by something very similar.
First, that voice--that wondrous, painful voice. I think that I love it, but I have to listen to this album and his music in general when I am in just the right frame of mind, or I can't take it. My wife can't listen to him at all. Antony sings in a high, wavery voice that comes on like a falsetto, but the more you listen to it, the less you are sure that it is a falsetto. Could this simply be the range in which he sings? Whatever the verdict there, be certain that it is one of the most oddly cultivated singing voices ever to make an impact in music that can vaguely be termed "popular". He has been compared to Nina Simone, and I sort of see it--but only based on his very mannered vibrato. He does not have a wide range, but he is very expressive with the narrow range that he has; at least, if you regard "constantly seems to be about to dissolve into tears of despair" as "very expressive".
The music skirts the border between art songs and pop music written by very pretentious people. Usually, he stays pretty firmly on the "art song" side of the line, but occasionally, the schmaltz overwhelms everything, and only your personal reaction to his voice will determine if it comes off as "bizarre genius" or "wha...???" If you take the time to read his lyrics, they are often beautiful, confused musings on longing, becoming, love, and the lack thereof, but for me, the words are far secondary to the feeling, the emotion that is conveyed by this singer. His performance of the songs is so laden with emotion that the words are definitely less important that simply allowing yourself to be surrounded by him on all sides.
It is hard to review the songs one by one--the album is definitely a piece as a whole, but there are some standout moments. "Aeon" starts with a typically pretty piano figure with a harp backing, but then changes with the addition of an arpeggiated chord on an electric guitar. Antony seems to be the closest I have heard him to happiness as he sings "Oh Aeon! My baby boy! Oh, Aeon will take care of me". What does it mean? Who is Aeon? Is it God? As the song unfolds, I'm not sure if this is a plea for protection for himself, for someone else, or his father? Anyway, Antony backs himself in a gospel choir of emotion, soaring into an ecstasy. Pretty amazing song, I just wish I really knew what he was singing about.
"Dust and Water" has an almost Ladysmith Black Mambazo feel to it, although he sings solo. Not an easy feat to accomplish.
The final song, "Everglade", finds Antony at his most poetic. "When I'm floating in the water/And your eyes are lilies all around/When I'm lying sweetly in my bed/The sun plays crystal with my eyes", while woodwinds and strings form a lush backdrop. Beautiful, with just a drop of "over the top" to the production.
This is actually a very difficult record to review because it is so hard to separate the songs themselves from the performance. Antony is a true original (for better and for worse), and sometimes, in some moods, I love the courage and talent that he exudes. I love his heart on his sleeve approach and his wounded butterfly vibrato. But if I am not in just the right mood, that voice becomes grating, annoying, overly artificial. If you can't get past his performance, you'll never be able to appreciate his songcraft. His songs are beautiful, and it would be an interesting exercise to hear them performed by someone else, to see if someone else could draw out the same level of feeling and emotion, or if they are singable only by Antony. I'd be hard pressed to think of someone who I'd want to try this exercise--perhaps Harolyn Blackwell? Someone trained in Schumann lieder? Or someone raw like Patty Smith? I'm not sure.
If you loved his first two albums, you are going to love this. He has grown somewhat, but he has not really changed his formula. If you didn't like the previous collections, then this is not going to do anything to bring you into his fold. If you, like me, are still trying to figure him out, then you will probably still be intrigued. My one bit of advice is definitely to listen to a few sample tracks prior to buying this if you have never heard him before. You'll thank me--either for introducing you to something lovely and new, or for saving you from making the worst musical investment of your life.
First, that voice--that wondrous, painful voice. I think that I love it, but I have to listen to this album and his music in general when I am in just the right frame of mind, or I can't take it. My wife can't listen to him at all. Antony sings in a high, wavery voice that comes on like a falsetto, but the more you listen to it, the less you are sure that it is a falsetto. Could this simply be the range in which he sings? Whatever the verdict there, be certain that it is one of the most oddly cultivated singing voices ever to make an impact in music that can vaguely be termed "popular". He has been compared to Nina Simone, and I sort of see it--but only based on his very mannered vibrato. He does not have a wide range, but he is very expressive with the narrow range that he has; at least, if you regard "constantly seems to be about to dissolve into tears of despair" as "very expressive".
The music skirts the border between art songs and pop music written by very pretentious people. Usually, he stays pretty firmly on the "art song" side of the line, but occasionally, the schmaltz overwhelms everything, and only your personal reaction to his voice will determine if it comes off as "bizarre genius" or "wha...???" If you take the time to read his lyrics, they are often beautiful, confused musings on longing, becoming, love, and the lack thereof, but for me, the words are far secondary to the feeling, the emotion that is conveyed by this singer. His performance of the songs is so laden with emotion that the words are definitely less important that simply allowing yourself to be surrounded by him on all sides.
It is hard to review the songs one by one--the album is definitely a piece as a whole, but there are some standout moments. "Aeon" starts with a typically pretty piano figure with a harp backing, but then changes with the addition of an arpeggiated chord on an electric guitar. Antony seems to be the closest I have heard him to happiness as he sings "Oh Aeon! My baby boy! Oh, Aeon will take care of me". What does it mean? Who is Aeon? Is it God? As the song unfolds, I'm not sure if this is a plea for protection for himself, for someone else, or his father? Anyway, Antony backs himself in a gospel choir of emotion, soaring into an ecstasy. Pretty amazing song, I just wish I really knew what he was singing about.
"Dust and Water" has an almost Ladysmith Black Mambazo feel to it, although he sings solo. Not an easy feat to accomplish.
The final song, "Everglade", finds Antony at his most poetic. "When I'm floating in the water/And your eyes are lilies all around/When I'm lying sweetly in my bed/The sun plays crystal with my eyes", while woodwinds and strings form a lush backdrop. Beautiful, with just a drop of "over the top" to the production.
This is actually a very difficult record to review because it is so hard to separate the songs themselves from the performance. Antony is a true original (for better and for worse), and sometimes, in some moods, I love the courage and talent that he exudes. I love his heart on his sleeve approach and his wounded butterfly vibrato. But if I am not in just the right mood, that voice becomes grating, annoying, overly artificial. If you can't get past his performance, you'll never be able to appreciate his songcraft. His songs are beautiful, and it would be an interesting exercise to hear them performed by someone else, to see if someone else could draw out the same level of feeling and emotion, or if they are singable only by Antony. I'd be hard pressed to think of someone who I'd want to try this exercise--perhaps Harolyn Blackwell? Someone trained in Schumann lieder? Or someone raw like Patty Smith? I'm not sure.
If you loved his first two albums, you are going to love this. He has grown somewhat, but he has not really changed his formula. If you didn't like the previous collections, then this is not going to do anything to bring you into his fold. If you, like me, are still trying to figure him out, then you will probably still be intrigued. My one bit of advice is definitely to listen to a few sample tracks prior to buying this if you have never heard him before. You'll thank me--either for introducing you to something lovely and new, or for saving you from making the worst musical investment of your life.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By Ashwin Dixit
Format:Audio CD
Antony Hegarty came to my attention at a tribute Leonard Cohen concert and I did not know what to make of him -he just looked like this large woman with a voice of an angel. His voice can be described as smooth and brittle as porcelain. You could call him Jazz-Avante gard, channelling Marlene Dietrich- whatever, he is probably the most exciting thing out there at the moment. With three albums out there plus the disco one he did he has a body of work worth investigating- if he keeps at this rate he will one day ranked with Bessie, Billie,Ella and Nina this is how good he is.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Crying Light
Although `The Crying Light' is another good album from Antony and the Johnsons, I have found it moves me a lot less than `I am a Bird Now' or their debut. Read more
Published on January 17, 2011 by Spider Monkey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Two Times Through and Hooked
The first time I heard Antony's music, I really didn't know if I liked it that much. I thought that it sounded a little...well, odd. Read more
Published on December 16, 2009 by Angela Gustafson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual and enjoyable
I can't really describe the genre of this music but it's very enjoyable. The songs tell a story like jazz but it's vocals are strong and not overwhelmed by musical instruments. Read more
Published on December 11, 2009 by Dew
1.0 out of 5 stars
wtf?
This may be the biggest pile of drivel I have ever heard.Please give me my money back.
Published on September 10, 2009 by J. mason
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good effort
Antony and the Johnsons is definitely an acquired taste. Bandleader Antony Hegarty sings in a disarming tone that is accentuated by an inescapable trill on almost every lyric... Read more
Published on July 9, 2009 by Greg Kinne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Raw beauty
Antony Hegarty probably has the most honestly expressive voice I've ever heard. It is pure beauty. It just is. Read more
Published on May 28, 2009 by K. Snyder
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Crying Light
The Crying Light being Antony and The Johnsons 3rd studio album and their 2009 release peaked at #2 in Sweden, Spain and topped the charts in Belgium. Read more
Published on May 12, 2009 by Bjorn Viberg
2.0 out of 5 stars
Music 5 vinyl pressing 1
This is for the vinyl pressing, stay away from it. I picked up a copy and side 1 was ok, with minimal surface noise but side 2 was popping and clicking all over the place and even... Read more
Published on April 21, 2009 by J. Clayton
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Different Kind of Heaven
With a voice like a slightly wounded angel, Antony is a revelation in terms of unique and total artistry. Read more
Published on April 15, 2009 by Jay Murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tim Buckley, not Tiny Tim
Antony and the Johnsons do not make meat and potatoes rock and roll. If Bruce Springsteen is as experimental as you get, this is not the disc for you. Read more
Published on April 6, 2009 by Steven Elliott
