Antony and the Johnsons - 'I Am A Bird Now' (Rough Trade) Released 07/02/2005

Despite arriving in the Gigwise office some weeks after its release, upon hearing ‘I Am A Bird Now’ we knew we had to bring it to your attention. Possessing an utterly unique voice, Antony’s vulnerable falsetto leaves you positively mesmerized. Coupled with the album’s emotive lyrical content, it makes for a captivating work you will never forget. 

Film buffs amongst you may recognize Antony as the androgynous singing convict in Steve Buscemi’s Animal Factory. An open cross-dresser anguished at being trapped in a man’s body, the ten songs on ‘I Am A Bird Now’ chronicle Antony’s desperate longing to be of the opposite sex. Intensely autobiographical, with a pensive yet extraordinarily uplifting tone, it’s an emotional roller coaster that constantly tugs at your heartstrings.

The melancholy opener ‘Hope There’s Someone’ is a tale of loneliness and isolation, and sets the pensive, yet exquisite tone that permeates throughout the album. Elsewhere, on the soothing ‘My Lady’s Story’ Antony sings, “My Lady’s Story is one of annihilation… one of breast amputation”. Sad and lyrically direct, it leaves a lasting impression. While ‘For Today I am A Boy’ is delivered with plenty of gusto it centres on the line “One day I'll grow up and be a beautiful woman, but for today I am a child, for today I am a boy.” Here, such is Antony’s vocal capacity he manages to invoke the spirit of Nina Simone. 

Clearly acknowledging Antony’s unique talent, Rufus Wainwright and Boy George contribute to the gorgeous ‘What Can I Do’ and ‘You Are My Sister’ respectively. Despite the obvious flair of both artists, the tracks serve as a reminder of how individual and captivating Antony is. Perhaps the only hitch on the album is the penultimate track ‘Free At Last’, which is maybe only disappointing because Antony does not actually sing on it. Things are soon rectified though with the stirring ‘Bird Girl’, an uplifting number celebrating the radiance of the female spirit.

While ‘I Am A Bird’ may not suit everyone’s taste, throw any preconceptions away and indulge yourself - the rewards are well worth it.