Following the single ‘The Lake’ comes the second album of Antony and the Johnsons. Quite a lot has changed since his debut album in 2000 on World Serpent. Then an obscure cult act, discovered by Current 93’s David Tibet, now gradually becoming a quite well-known phenomenon, embraced by people like Lou Reed. Other people who collaborate on ” I am a bird now” are Boy George, Rufus Wainwright and Devendra Banhart.
But Antony actually doesn’t need this namedropping to convince. In the heart his music has remained the same. Antony plays the piano to accompany his sensitive voice in dramatic ballads. Some adidtional instruments give most songs a little more body. The songs are theatrical, a bit over-the-top and always verging on the borders of pathos, but nevertheless honest and moving.
The album is rather short, only 35 minutes, but actually this is enough, considering all the vulnerable emotions. Most songs are rather tranquil and intimate, a little less baroque than on his first album. The extrovert and soulful ‘Fistfull of love’ is the exception to the general sound of “I am a bird now”. An original album, through Antony’s unique high voice, his colourful chracter and the moving songs full of longing, love, lust and loss.
