Antony and the Johnsons - The Crying Light

To say that Antony and the Johnsons is an acquired taste is simply an understatement. Musically, the band crafts sweeping and beautiful piano-driven and burlesque songs of agony and self-realization. Vocally, however, many would find Antony and his Johnsons to be distasteful, for lack of a better word. Chalk one up to generational gaps, singer Antony Hegarty's intense vibrato belongs with the likes of Fred Astaire and Ryan Gosling [in his rendition of L.O.V.E. in his film Lars and the Real Girl].

You won't find radio-friendly pop songs on this record, but instead the soundtrack to some beautiful film that has yet to be made.

Tracklisting:
1. Her Eyes Are Underneath The Ground
2. Epilepsy Is Dancing
3. One Dove
4. Kiss My Name
5. The Crying Light
6. Another World
7. Daylight and The Sun
8. Aeon
9. Dust And Water
10. Everglade

Antony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now

Antony and the Johnsons is a band that you will love to hate. But regardless how much you hate them, it would be difficult to say that they are not talented or to say that they don't write great songs. I understand how listening to Antony Hegarty's vocals can be a labor of love, but if you can look past or even find beauty in his voice, then you will find I Am A Bird Now to be one of the most beautiful and moving records in your collection. If you are able to look past the vocals, then you would also be able to look past the sometimes "colorful" subject matter, as it sometimes revolves around aspects of transgender lifestyles. Long story short, Antony and the Johnsons have quite a bit to prove, singing songs like "For Today I Am A Boy" with such an intense vibrato that it turns most listeners away. To set the record straight, though, I am by no means trying to turn you away from this record. Quite the opposite, actually. I am letting you know what to expect. Personally, I find this album to be absolutely brilliant and moving.

Tracklisting:
1. Hope There's Someone
2. My Lady Story
3. For Today I Am A Boy
4. Man Is The Baby
5. You Are My Sister
6. What Can I Do?
7. Fistful Of Love
8. Spiralling
9. Free At Last
10. Bird Gerhl

Highlight Tracks: "My Lady Story", "What Can I Do?", "Bird Gerhl"