Antony & The Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now (CD 2005)

It was with some shock that I woke up this morning and found that this cross-dressing ex-cabaret singer from New York had won the Mercury Music Prize. Not because of any hatred of transvestites and trans-sexuals or any deep seated love of Maximo Park. I just couldn’t believe that the judges had actually got something right.

This is a record that richly deserves recognition for being as innovative, inspiring and individual an album as this reviewer has heard in the last year. His fat-man's warble is an acquired taste but like your first ever sip of alcohol, you are quickly addicted. Soon it reveals itself as a beautiful and haunting voice.

The songs are piano driven with an epic, sensuous backing of strings and a changing line-up of musicians (The Johnsons) as well as numerous collaborators (including Lou Reed, Boy George and Rufus Wainwright). Antony's voice is the life and soul but his at times heart-breaking lyrics are the main body of these compositions. Many deal with feelings of trans-sexuality, such as the wonderful My Lady Story or the aching For Today I Am A Boy. Lines such as "My lady story is one of annihilation/my lady story is one of breast amputation" or "One day I'll grow up and be a beautiful woman/But for today I am child/But for today I am a boy" are set against soaring piano parts, symphonic harmonies and practically drip with emotion.

It is this which makes this such a worthy Mercury choice. I Am A Bird Now deals with such un-mainstream issues as these with a spectacular and original musical voice. Anyone who fails to be moved by opener I Hope There's Someone's ode to loneliness with its gorgeously layered vocals and climactic wash of pianos is truly without heart. No-one, however, should be without this record.

'I Am A Bird Now' is the second full-length release from eccentric American combo Antony & The Johnsons. The band's unconventional appearance and their unique, bluesy torch songs make for an interesting and beguiling combination. It is though very much a “marmite” album – that being you'll either love it or hate it. Love it if you cherish originality. Hate it if you want manufactured x-factor pop nonsense.

This is an album for those of eclectic tastes. Antony’s voice is “different”; he’s also a 6ft tranny and has been described as having a “face like a pug”. Ignore trivialities from your mates that “you're gay” if you like this and sit back and enjoy the heartbreaking sounds.

“Hope There’s Someone” covers the loneliness of death and was the track I first heard and made me seek out this album. A piano ballad with a latter section that rises in tempo and noise – if you can get your head round this you’ll love the rest.

“My Lady Story” includes the subject matter of breast amputation and includes a mournful contribution from a competent string section. “For Today I Am A Boy” covers a young man confused by his sexuality. “Man Is The Baby” is just the most beautiful piece of music you’re likely to hear with a 4-key piano chord you’ll want to play over and over.

Boy George duets on another highlight “You Are My Sister”. Obviously not a song for kindred relatives but nonetheless if you have a sister she’ll love it if played / sent as a gift.

“Fistful Of Love” covers domestic violence with some quite heartbreaking lyrics. One line ("I feel your fist and I know it's out of love") made me wonder why this is tolerated. Not sure what “Spiralling” is about. I have my own view and it’s no more a pleasant subject than the others covered here.

The album closes with “Bird Guhl”. To describe this would exhaust all the positives imaginable. It is just such a wonderful, sad and beautiful piece of music, which befits an album of such quality.

So then - you going to take a chance on this? I would as it comes greatly recommended by myself. If you don’t like - sell it again on ebay as someone else will – believe me!

Although my better half disagrees, this is by far the best album I've heard in the last year or two. And believe me I've heard loads of stuff! Everything about it is absolutely stunning. In years to come this should always feature in any list of Top 100 Albums of all time.

Ever since hearing the band on Johnathon Ross's TV show, I intended to buy the album. Antony's voice is something special, with a strange hypnotic quality. Try listening to track 7 without being moved. The album get's better the more it's played, and now forms an important part of my collection.

Such a distinctive and emotive vocal performance - strong songs and imaginative arrangements. Oozes a quirky class!