I see that this album is getting pretty consistently good reviews, but I still can't get into it. I love Antony's first album, I can put it on just about any time, but this one doesn't do it for me like his past music. Anyone else on this board into Antony's music at all? I'd like to hear people's opinions of him.

That's funny, klt, because I'm only discovering Antony and the Johnsons for the first time with I'm a Bird Now. It is receiving an overwhelming amount of praise and I was wondering what the fuss is all about. So far I'm liking it a lot, though I'd be hard pressed to put what I'm liking into words just yet. I'm sorry that you're not quite getting into it yet, but I have to confess that what you have to say about the previous album all the better news for me. Something to look forward to!

On a housekeeping note, I think this thread would be better suited to one of the genre specific categories rather than here, but for the live of me I'm not sure which, "Indie?" "Alternative?"

Any suggestions, klt?

Now Playing: "A Chance Counsel" Richard Buckner streaming on WOXY

I tried to figure out what other category to put it in, but had the same problem. I think the obvious solution is that the board needs to open up a new section for androgenous torch songs....or not.

If you like the new one, which I actually do enjoy, then I think you will love the debut. I think the guests on the new album get in the way. I think the biggest flaw with the new one is guests. Even though Lou Reed, Devendra Banhart, and Rufus Wainwright are pretty good company, I think all of those songs would have been better alone. Strangely, the Boy George duet, which I had the least hope for, comes close to matching the first album.

quote:

Originally posted by keylimetrev:
the board needs to open up a new section for androgenous torch songs

and the Balkanization of Popular Music continues.....

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I suggest indie, since they're on Secretly Canadian. I think the slotting of certain bands in certain places is arbitrary, but it helps maintain some sense of order.

I wasn't originally planning on getting Antony & The Johnstons, but then I listened to 30 second bits at some of those listening station thingies and decided to pick it up.

I don't usually like this kind of music, but I'm really enjoying it so far. All the songs seem to have a really strong emotional power that grips you in the same way Elton John can.

Yeah, I like Antony and the Johnsons. I think the second album is probably better over all than the first eponymous one, but I do agree with keylimetrev that it wouldn't have suffered one bit had the "star guests" not been present.
I'm a big fan of Antony's version of the David Lynch/Angelo Badalamenti song Mysteries of Love on his I Fell In Love With A Dead Boy EP also. Antony, like Kurt Wagner, knows how to take his time on a song but keep the listener's attention...

The Devendra and Rufus contributions just seem very bland and pointless. The album as a whole is very good though, even if it is a bit thematically overwhelming at times.

I just woke up at 4:30 am and couldn't sleep so I turned on the TV. A prison movie called Animal Factory was on starring Willem Dafoe. Antony had a cameo as an inmate who performs a concert in prison. Most of the inmates in the audience were thinking "WTF"? I never in a million years expected to see that.