01/13/2009
Antony and the Johnsons to Release The Crying Light
Antony and the Johnsons, who won the 2005 Mercury Music Prize for their 2005 album I am a Bird Now, are back with a new album this month called The Crying Light, which New York magazine describes as "a lushly orchestrated evocation of an almost mythic personal loneliness." Antony Hegarty is profiled in this week's issue:
"Antony describes The Crying Light this way: 'The focus of the album is on my relationship to the environment and the elements. The natural world.' The song 'Another World' is the embodiment of this intention, and in a way it brings him back to where he started. 'I wanted to write a song about the changing ecology,' he says. It reminds him of when he came to New York and saw another ecosystem in decline. 'This avant-garde queer underground, I got invested in it in a militant way because it was vanishing.' He stops and thinks about this. 'I have to write an essay on that one day: How the impact of AIDS on underground culture is like the impact, today, of humans on the world.'"
Listen to the first single off the album, "Another World", AFTER THE JUMP...
You Gotta Give Them Hope [ny mag]
Posted 6:01 PM EST by Andy Towle in Antony and the Johnsons, Music, New York, News | Permalink
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That doesn't sound pretentious at all.
Posted by: crispy | Jan 13, 2009 6:25:49 PM
He's so amazing. Can't wait for the new album.
Posted by: Just Nick | Jan 13, 2009 7:40:00 PM
I know he's a critics' darling and has a devoted cult, but I cannot stand his vocal mannerisms or his voice in general. Never could get past either to listen to the actual songs. To each their own - I like Rufus and plenty of people feel the same way about him. Hope his fans enjoy the project.
Posted by: Jay | Jan 13, 2009 7:48:36 PM
Perhaps he should cut down on the tea (see interview), but I too can't wait for the new album. He's one of a kind, in an exquisitely sad and beautiful way.
Posted by: Ernie | Jan 13, 2009 7:52:28 PM
Antony's album "I Am A Bird Now" was my favorite CD of its year. I wrote, "Nothing will prepare you for the dramatic earthquake or heart rendering impact." If "The Crying Light" lives up as only half as moving, I'm sure it will effect/affect me immensely.
The rest of the gay press can have the musical equivalent to mongoloidism that is Lady Ga Ga (her 'The Fame' is a horror). I'll take a little pretension over that any day!
Posted by: jeffreychrist | Jan 13, 2009 7:53:29 PM
Really enjoyed this blog and glad its out there. So beautiful and positive for the gay community. I will get this CD!
Posted by: David Miller | Jan 13, 2009 8:16:49 PM
...check out Antony's vocals on the Hercules and Love Affair disc...luvs it...!
Posted by: yeahisaidit | Jan 13, 2009 8:21:20 PM
I completely agree with Jay, though this song isn't so bad. I'm just not a depressed teenager anymore, and so this doesn't resonate much with me. Just as I watch the dancing in the video and think, WTF?
For people who do enjoy it, enjoy.
Posted by: Paul R | Jan 13, 2009 9:58:06 PM
I am a huge fan of Antony's and I got to listen to an advance of the new album and it's FANTASTIC. I think it's his best so far. It's taut, well sung (I think Antony has one of the best voices out there today . . . which is a rarity in the indie world), and every bit of it is deeply felt.
I can't wait until the 20th to download my copy.
Posted by: Alex | Jan 13, 2009 10:05:50 PM
Just one more person echoing the sentiments re: I Am a Bird Now and Hercules and Love Affair...
If you haven't seen Antony in concert and get the opportunity -- do it! I was blown away.
Posted by: Michael | Jan 14, 2009 10:55:19 AM
You can download the album now with your pre-order on vinyl or CD:
http://www.antonyandthejohnsons.com/thecryinglight/
The single is hauntingly beautiful, and was even better when he performed it at the Disney Hall with the LA Phil. Antony is one of the precious few queer musicians today whose music I would say approaches art.
Posted by: MARK | Jan 14, 2009 2:16:49 PM
For music in general Antony is an artist that actually crafts m u s i c, He has an emotional core that resonates far beyond the scope of much of anything else out there today.
If you haven't been touched by this artist, take another look. And if you have the opportunity to see him live do so.
Cathartic.
I will disagree with the the statement above classifying this as angsty teenage music. Antony is of adult age and his viewpoint are reflected through a lens of knowledge and observation. Meeting him and talking with him is a revelation.
Posted by: Br!on | Jan 14, 2009 2:30:08 PM
Mark, I agree.
Gay folks can boast Jean Cocteau, Tennessee Williams, James Baldwin and Federico Garcia Lorca as one of our own . . . but there has been so much bland, mediocre art made by queer artists in the last few years.
I will say in the world of music there has been more excellence among gay identified artists that in other media of late--Antony, Rufus Wainwright, The Magnetic Fields, Sigur Ros (lead singer is gay), The Hidden Cameras, Grizzly Bear (gay lead singer), Final Fantasy and Nico Muhly are all great examples. They make critically acclaimed and exciting music that is loved by both gay and straight.
Posted by: Alex | Jan 14, 2009 3:01:06 PM