Average Metacritic score 88, 5th overall (27 reviews):

http://www.tinymixtapes.com/musicreview ... hnsons.htm

Antony & The Johnsons
I Am a Bird Now
Secretly Canadian(2005)
US release date: February 1, 2005
rating: 5/5 (100)
reviewer: willcoma

*Winner of the 2005 Mercury Music Prize.


I'm completely overwhelmed by this record. I Am a Bird Now is beyond any semi-confectionary aesthetic distance that you might bring to discussing your average album. This music grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go. It feels timeless and gorgeous and bigger than life. It may not be "soul" in the strict, music appreciation 101 sense, but it could make even the most jaded atheist approach a metaphysical regard. It is assured, seering and majestic SOUL to the utmost. I'd put on my critic's cap and dive into scrutiny, but I am too enraptured by this artist's music.

For some reason my CD of I Am a Bird Now is skipping and every skip is like a dagger in the heart. The pure unadulterated emotion on display decries such tedious interruptions. I never thought I could appreciate Boy George till I heard him singing with Antony on the impossibly touching "You Are My Sister." And there is no point in dwelling on the gender bending (I didn't even want to acknowledge it, to tell you the truth) aspects of the artist because his songs are so 'universally' moving. Whereas Antony and The Johnsons was a stark, chilling affair that was arresting and perhaps a little disconcerting, this album is a shining beacon of hope and healing amidst ceaseless pangs of heartache and loss. The gospel-tinged "Fistful of Love" brings in a horn section and Lou Reed for a particularly uplifting experience that bridges the middle of the album splendidly.

I have to see Antony perform these songs. It's not a question of the recorded material not being enough, but I could see the breathtaking sweep of these songs taking on a whole new power in a live setting. I'm reminded of the scene in Mulholland Dr. where the two principal characters are in the theater listening to Rebecca Del Rio's heart-rending solo version of Roy Orbisons "Crying." I love this scene so much; how incredibly heavy it feels. I understood completely why they cried, and probably did a little myself. What's interesting is the one thing that kept the whole thing from utter hokeyness was that the song was sung in Spanish.

In this sense, I Am a Bird Now is authentic and moving because it hits you in ways that are both recognizable and foreign. Like Nina Simone, Antony has this uncanny ability to take your standard blues progression and give it authority that skips whatever reservations and preconceptions the audience might lean toward and aims directly for their empathy and, ultimately, their belief in the innate, transcendent force music can contain.

I know this album has received a TON of heat on this board, but this is in my top ten. I love it. I especially love "Fistful of Love."

Best album of 2005 for me.

C'mon, bring on the hate squad!

Seriously though, I've always been able to understand how this record dosen't warm up to everyone. On the contrary, it probably creeps alot of people out, or turns alot of people off (and by that, I mean Anthony's voice.) So, for me it's definitely the "Acquired Taste" record of 2005, probably the same way that Medulla or even Blueberry Boat (which I don't think I could get through, really; I barely got past "Chris Michaels") were two that really divided alot of peole.

nope, havent heard a note, and the review doesnt change my wanting to either.

Top 5 lock. Absolutely gorgeous arrangments. Vox and subject matter were acquired tastes, but WOW... awesome.

I hate the review but love the album. Not prepared to rank 2005 albums yet but this is:

definitely top 20
almost certainly top 10
probably top 5
possibly #1

That said, I have to be in the mood to listen to it as its not really a casual just-throw-it-on album.

It's in my Top Ten.

It really grew on me for a while, and then it kinda dropped off. There are a few songs on it that I don't really like, but overall it's pretty solid. It's a good album that's worth owning and spending some time with.

It was my #1 record at one point, but I don't know if it'll make my final list.

i guess i need to re-listen to this record again. i tried to like it awhile ago and just couldn't get into it. i will try again.

i do know this, their performance on letterman pained me. dude looks like a bad version of meatloaf

i liked it a little at first, and then i almost totally soured on it.

This is a really beautiful album. I was prejudiced against it at first, but find it very soulful now. Probably spin it once a week.

Ditto. Some of the instrumental arrangements are too clean for me. His voice is gorgeous bu could've been accompanied better. Needless to say, this was an emotional go-to when I needed one.

Yep. "Fistful Of Love" notwithstanding, the rest the of album is a definite mood piece.

I hate this album... the most overrated of the year.

His voice is an acquired taste... but I don't mind it that much. I find the arrangements pedestrian, songs' structures and lyrics thin and laughable... the bathos cheap and not particularly interesting.

The transgender stuff seems like a product, like some rap records market "blackness."

I value gender-fuck, pushing the boundaries out, waking up the middle mind of bourgeois America, opening up an unknown world that wouldn't otherwise be seen, connecting hearts in unexpected contexts... that's art, that's rock, that's entertainment.

This entertained me little, and annoyed me in no productive way.

harry pretty much covered it.

this album comes from the suck shop.

True. One of very few albums ever that gives me an uncontrollable urge to pour Liquid Plummer in my ears.

That's awesome.

And I could barely make it through one song from these guys. So I agree with the metaphor.

I really like it. His voice is incredible.

Should do a poll on love/hate him.

I don't know. I saw him do a song on TV once and I was annoyed at the way he sang.

Bought this the week it came out based on hype, listened to it once and was very upset that I spent money on it. Told friends, and co-workers not to buy it, then after about 2 months of it laying dormant, I put it on and listened to it while doing dishes. Wound up listening to it again, and well, I like it a lot now. This year has been so weird. I think its been covered, but I'll say it again...no clear cut favorites.

listened to two tracks, didn't like the vocals or lyrics. music didn't grab me either. into the recycle bin they go.

bort

This will be in my top 10, but I still haven't gotten around to buying it. I need to do that. Great album. "Hope There's Someone" really affects me every time I hear it.