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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Crying Light marks Antony And The Johnsons’ first full-length release since I Am A Bird Now, the 2005 release that scooped the Mercury Music Prize from under the nose of Bloc Party and Coldplay, and marked out Antony Hegarty--an ex-pat Englishman with the voice of a distressed angel and a fruitful history in New York’s gay/transgender cabaret scene--as an unlikely sort of household name. Housed in a striking sleeve picturing aged Butoh dancer Kazuo Ohno, The Crying Light is both grander and more intimate in tone than its predecessor, ten tracks arranged with the help of composer Nico Muhly that find Hegarty pondering themes of nature and humanity, death and rebirth. Grand, because here, Hegarty’s florid piano pieces are fleshed out by musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Milan Symphony – but intimate, because songs like “Another World” and the gorgeous “Epilepsy Is Dancing” employ orchestral trimmings with such grace and restraint. Most surprising, though, is “Aeon”, a cut of forceful, passionate soul that finds Hegarty preaching empowerment over raw, circling electric guitar. A grand return, from one of music’s true originals. --Louis Pattison
Review
In 2005, the unique 21st century cabaret of Antony and the Johnsons' Mercury Prize-winning second album I am A Bird Now made them the darlings of the British music press. Three years on, they're back with a follow-up that, while frequently enchanting, falls short of matching its illustrious predecessor.
There's no voice anywhere quite like Antony Hegarty's. Pitched somewhere between classic jazz diva and the plaintive cries of a wounded beast, it is a thing of rare beauty, pathos and soul, and as on the Anglo-Americans' earlier releases, it is absolutely central to The Crying Light.
That's not to say that Antony and friends have delivered a carbon copy of their most celebrated work - far from it. What we have here is a clear shift in style from the melodramatic torch songs of I Am A Bird Now to a more soothing, intricately arranged sound, featuring richly textured orchestral arrangements from composer Nico Muhly.
Focusing largely on the singer's relationship with nature, the album's ten tracks shimmer prettily but rarely flow with real force. There are no showstoppers that grab you instantly by the emotional scruff of the neck like Hope There's Someone or You Are My Sister, arguably the standout moments from I Am A Bird Now.
With repeated listens though, the gems do start to shine through. Kiss My Name is perhaps the closest thing to a pop song with its shuffling beat, swooping strings and insistent piano riff; One Dove is a stately ballad sung with heartbreaking passion; Everglade a musically exquisite tone poem that brings proceedings to a delightfully serene close.
Elsewhere, The Crying Light is guilty of self-indulgence; notably the over-long Daylight And The Sun and the unintelligible gurgling of Dust And Water. It's occasionally slow and ponderous, and the earnest tone throughout can become a little wearying.
But overall this is thoughtful, sumptuously crafted music that, although not as life-affirming as its principal creator might hope, is nevertheless evidence that the Mercury Prize was no fluke. --Chris White
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Yet again, Antony has not disappointed us. This album brought tears to my eyes. I have yet to listen to any other artist who I can compare to Antony's utter brilliance. Not only do you have Antony's fantastic voice, the band is truely fabulous too. The music is hauntingly beautiful. I loved this long awaited new album and can't wait for the next one. I was lucky enough to see Antony and the Johnsons last weekend at Birmingham Symphony Hall and I was mesmerised. I had tears in my eyes, the music blew me away, as did, as always Antony's voice. Come back soon Antony, there is no-one else to match you. I could have listened all night.
If you haven't listened to Antony and the Johnsons before, buy this album and see for yourself. They are like no other - thankfully. Never stop Antony, you are my hero.
If you haven't listened to Antony and the Johnsons before, buy this album and see for yourself. They are like no other - thankfully. Never stop Antony, you are my hero.
26 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
There are very few artists alive in our crumbling world today
who are able to juggle the differences between pain and pleasure,
between hope and futility and between the intensly personal
and the fragile universal as can Antony Hegarty.
We already had a small glimpse of what was to come with the title
track of 2008's five-track realease 'Another World', included
once again as a part of this extraordinary new album 'The Crying Light'.
The ten songs performed here both consolidates familiar territory
yet also transports us into rich new emotional landscapes.
Mr Hegarty's power to break our hearts and stir our spirits with
his almost disembodied vibrato is once again centre stage.
Some of the songs bear comparison with works by early composers
such as Byrd, Dowland and Tallis. Haunted, haunting and timeless.
Title track 'The Crying Light' would not have been too out of
place heard in the court of Elizabeth The First.
An incredibly plaintive lament whose fragile harmonies and subtle
orchestration place it firmly among his finest compositions.
'Her Eyes Are Underneath The Ground' is another exquisite jewel
of a song - Julia Kent's cello accompaniment and string arrangement
are both affecting and economical.
Thoughout, the album is blessed with some of the
most able and sensitive musical support that an
artist could ever hope to have around him.
Final track (and for my money the finest song in this collection)
'Everglade' literally soars out of the speakers in transcendent,
overwhelming waves of luminous positive energy.
The project's artwork is, as ever was, both disquieting,
enigmatic and strangely moving. Stark questions left unanswered.
This is music to shine a healing as well as a crying light.
Essential.
who are able to juggle the differences between pain and pleasure,
between hope and futility and between the intensly personal
and the fragile universal as can Antony Hegarty.
We already had a small glimpse of what was to come with the title
track of 2008's five-track realease 'Another World', included
once again as a part of this extraordinary new album 'The Crying Light'.
The ten songs performed here both consolidates familiar territory
yet also transports us into rich new emotional landscapes.
Mr Hegarty's power to break our hearts and stir our spirits with
his almost disembodied vibrato is once again centre stage.
Some of the songs bear comparison with works by early composers
such as Byrd, Dowland and Tallis. Haunted, haunting and timeless.
Title track 'The Crying Light' would not have been too out of
place heard in the court of Elizabeth The First.
An incredibly plaintive lament whose fragile harmonies and subtle
orchestration place it firmly among his finest compositions.
'Her Eyes Are Underneath The Ground' is another exquisite jewel
of a song - Julia Kent's cello accompaniment and string arrangement
are both affecting and economical.
Thoughout, the album is blessed with some of the
most able and sensitive musical support that an
artist could ever hope to have around him.
Final track (and for my money the finest song in this collection)
'Everglade' literally soars out of the speakers in transcendent,
overwhelming waves of luminous positive energy.
The project's artwork is, as ever was, both disquieting,
enigmatic and strangely moving. Stark questions left unanswered.
This is music to shine a healing as well as a crying light.
Essential.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I never heard of antony before i saw him on the tv in holland. He played with the metropool orchestra, it was a revelation.
He looked kinda strange, in a white dress, but when he started to sing, i was mesmerized. I could not change the station anymore, i had to listen.
I bought all his work the following day, it is such a intense feeling to listen to him sing. It's music from the heart to the heart
He looked kinda strange, in a white dress, but when he started to sing, i was mesmerized. I could not change the station anymore, i had to listen.
I bought all his work the following day, it is such a intense feeling to listen to him sing. It's music from the heart to the heart
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
My mum loves it!
I bought this CD for my mum for her birthday and she was so happy! :) I don't think it's the best out of all his CD's but it's definitely one to add to the collection!
Published 2 months ago by AbiKnee
Yet another wonderful album
Antony and the Johnsons have done it again - yet more mesmerising beauty and wonderful music to leave fans drooling and wanting more.... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. C. Mclean
Pop cd
A surprise. The reviews for this album were grudging. I thought that it lived up to the promise of the first album and more.
Published on 20 April 2010 by G. Callan
The Crying Light
Although `The Crying Light' is another good album from Antony and the Johnsons, I have found it moves me a lot less than `I am a Bird Now' or their debut. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010 by Spider Monkey
inspired
A very rare listening experience to hear a voice capable of painting beautiful masterpieces ,a lovely piece of work , inspired and straight from the heart ..
Published on 20 Feb 2010 by Mr. J. Fulton
Beautiful!
I absolutely love this album by Antony and the Johnsons. I think his voice is so sincere and the music is so beautiful and moving. I definitely recommend this album!
Published on 3 Jan 2010 by Ms. M. Mccabe
Out of this World
Anthony and the Johnsons is really nothing like what I've heard before. It's just out of this world! It brings you in other spheres you've ever been before!
Published on 30 Oct 2009 by W. L. J. Laar
the crying light
I'm a little disappointed with this album....his old albums are much better...lacks substance, but if u a Antony fan like me , u buy it...
Published on 10 Aug 2009 by G. IONS
Antony does it again
Antony and his brilliant Johnsons can't put a foot wrong in my opinion and consistently turn out music of the highest quality. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2009 by bluepeter74
He ups his game.
If you were of a critical mind, there might be scope to say that this disc is a little 'samey' without, for example, a rocky number like 'Fistful of Love' from his previous CD, but... Read more
Published on 31 May 2009 by Richard J. Bryant
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