Reviews (page 2 of 8)
Heard before?:❌️ Will listen again?:❌️
Art pop and experimental rock feeling like standing alone in an empty room while someone sings directly to me from the other side of it, completely exposed and without anywhere to hide. The sparse piano, restrained strings and Antony’s trembling, unusually high voice make the music feel painfully intimate, as if every song is an attempt to turn vulnerability into something that can survive being spoken aloud. I remain a silent observer, but the voice keeps narrowing the distance between us until I feel almost implicated in what I am hearing.
Too whiney, self obsessed and frankly am-dram for my tastes. There is some interesting parts but not for me.
The last thing this list needs is another Leonard Cohen album I didn’t enjoy this and won’t listen again. I can’t quite decide if it’s bad enough for a single star, but it’s close Fortunately only 35 minutes long
I like the dark emotionality of it, The stripped down music. There is plenty of good here, unfortunately the constant vibrato really irritated me and took me out of it. 2.5/5
One of the most surprising albums I've ever heard
Felt like watching a sad boring indie film.
Having fallen in love with ANOHNI and her voice over the years, I needed a little more time to appreciate her lyrics. And what lyrics they are - deeply personal, mournful, but caring. She sings of gender and queerness in a way that pushes deeply into the emotional core of the matter, revealing those feelings and laying them bare so that you the listener also have to feel them, absorb them, question them. A gorgeous, powerful, deeply emotional record that is a must listen.
First Listen Favorites: Fistful Of Love Hope There's Someone My Lady Story Honorable Mentions: What Can I Do?
Mercury prize winner of 2005 with a multi-octave siren, sounding always painfully. The cover shows Warhol superstar Candy Darling on her deathbed.
It was very sad
Такого конечно я не ожидал в этом листе. Этот альбом в этом списке только потому что он спет трансгендером о своих проблемах? Ну, изчините. Мерзкий голос. Мерзкое вибрато. Бросил слушать не дослушав и до половины.
Didn’t care for this couldn’t stand the miserable warbling voice
Powerful, interesting but also the songs all sound about the same. They are piano driven ballads. I find her voice to intriguing, reminiscinent of Nina Simone. I had mentioned in my Simone review that I had thought her voice was masculine but it's actually called vibrato. It's interesting because Anonhi is trans. Which adds more questions. Where was she during transition when she recorded this? Does her voice change & has it changed with hormone treatment? It's interesting to me. One of my relatives is trans leaning, so I find that tapping into that mindset to help understand my relative better. If that makes sense. I'll probably never listen to it again but it's good. People are people. Live & love how you wanna. Deal with it. 3 There's an Always Sunny in Philly joke here somewhere but I'm to sad to find one.
not my thing
This is a rather bleak album, which should be made obvious from the cover showing Candy Darling on her deathbed, but there’s also a lot of beauty in it. I love ANOHNI’s voice and even if the vibrato may feel overused, I think the emotional power of the songs is only amplified by the sheer talent of the singer. It’s not an easy listen, and I’d argue this isn’t even ANOHNI’s best album, but it certainly deserves to be on this list.
There is certainly meaning here that doesn't relate to me, even past my dislike for Anohni's vibrato-filled vocals. There are hints of things that I like, specifically the brass section in Fistful Of Love, but even that song doesn't quite fully distract from the lead vocals. My favorite track on the album finds its spot there almost entirely due to the fact that it features Rufus Wainwright's vocals instead. Nonetheless, I can see how this is an important album, especially for the time. Highlight: What Can I Do?
A criminal amount of vibrato on this album. Tone it down girl you sound like a fucking ghost!!!
haunting album cover for mid music. it wasn't objectionable but I won't revisit it
slow shit i like
Gorgeous. I had not really gotten into ANOHNI until her solo records, but I wish I had heard this in 2005. She really is in a class of her own, and I think this album stands as one of the great queer singer-songwriter records.
I can't make it past this guys warbly voice. Did he actually turn into a bird, is that the joke?
Love the concept and representation and understand why its on the list. Can not stand the constant vibrato. It makes the whole thing unlistenable.
At least it has some musicality (it's basically a collection of torch songs), but ditchwater would call this dull
So not for me
Not a massive fan of the style of singing, but a very beautiful album that kinda hit me in the feels, so bonus points
Anthony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now "OK Mr And The Johnsons, we are looking for a really emotional vocal performance here. Try and really put your soul into everything!" "Gotcha - vibrato on everything! Sweet!" <Producer sighs> "One other note - sometimes if we could get some more dynamics into the music, that would be great, too" "Right-o - hit the piano harder and faster towards the end of the song. I'm on it!" "Kill me now." This is dire, and really, really annoying. This album is the reason nobody gives a shit about the Mercury Music Prize any more.
Anthony and the Johnsons' I Am a Bird Now is a cohesive and thoroughly enjoyable record that earns a solid 4/5 for its strong lyricism, expressive vocal performances, and engaging musical arrangements. The album benefits from a clear thematic consistency throughout, highlighted by standout moments like the powerful, memorable climax of "For Today I'm a Boy" and the folksy, piano-driven beauty of the opener "Hope There's Someone." While middle stretches featuring tracks like "My Lady Story," "What Can I Do?" and "Fistful of Love" land as merely okay, and songs such as "You Are My Sister" and "Free at Last" fall a bit flat, the record is elevated by consistently nice spots like "Man is the Baby" and "Spiralling," ultimately concluding with "Bird Gerhl," which serves as a fittingly nice way to close out the experience.
Too mellow and boring for my liking, sorry
Holy moly, what a find. What a great voice. Nice atmo. Gives me big sam smith vibes.
Very much giving to drama series vibes 2.5
This sounds awful. Why is it on this list??
I enjoyed this, some powerful, deeply personal and emotional lyrics plus ANOHNI’s voice which is a very individual and quite beautiful instrument. I get the feeling it will divide opinions though.
Just not that great.
Flutter voice singing has gotta be one of my least favorite sounds in the world.
Frankly I thought this was damn solid. Yes, the vibrato sucks. I hate it too. But that's about the one bad thing I have to say. I think this is a beautiful, personal, surprisingly adept swing for a sophomore album. I also think the subject material is pretty important, especially right now. It's a real treat to get to see into her mind so many years before she officially transitioned. Very cool.
Beautiful voice. I hear the criticisms that the singer uses too much vibrato - and I can understand why many could find this annoying. I am glad this album is included because it proved to be a short and pleasurable listen. I didn’t think too much of the lyrics until “For today I am a boy” grabbed my attention - and rushed to see whether it was about what I thought it was. I’m glad about the diversity this brings to the list, especially since I’d never heard of the artist.
You are a bird now. Congratulations. I am bored now.
How about nej.
A beautiful album. Singular in its kind! Anohni is a unique singer, and these songs are deeply emotional, exploring gender identity, growing up, and becoming oneself more fully. The picture of a dying yet gorgeous and clearly loved Candy Darling on the cover captures the mix of glamour and tragedy expressed in the songs.
I like the voice. Arrangement also good. 3,3
Music is great but those vocals are rough.
I'm gonna be honest, I got nervous during the first track. I thought his voice was annoying and just did not fit the track at all. However, as the album went on I felt like the blusey instrumentals he chose to back him complimented him more than the first track. It softened the negative feelings I started developing the moment I pressed play. Not the worst thing I've heard, but far from the best. 3/5
Nope. She had way too much vibrato in her voice. It sent shivers down my spine in a bad way.
I remember this winning the Mercury, although I never listened to it at the time. That's probably for the best; I'm not sure I would have appreciated it properly then. This is clearly a highly intimate and personal record, full of songs that overtly express the thoughts of Ahnoni and her experiences at the time. The emotion is very apparent and authentic, and I have to respect that. Nonetheless, the melodramatic style, particularly the over-the-top vocals, really doesn't do it for me. There are a couple I would listen to again in future - in particular, What Can I Do? with its slightly more muted approach reminded me of a delicate Radiohead ballad, and I enjoyed it. And at least it was short. On the whole though, it's not my kind of thing.
What a beautiful album. As a parent to a transchild I'm always glad of any representation. However, representation aside, it took me a few songs to adjust to her singing voice, that said once I did, I did find it quite lovely. The lyrics hit hard. Wouldn't have heard it without this list, glad to share it with my child now.
As an art piece, I appreciate this record. It’s really unique and thoughtful. I think in 2005 writing and singing a song like “For Today I Am A Boy” is brave. Even today it’s brave, but back then I can’t even imagine. As the album goes on, I’m finding that there’s a lot about this record I really enjoy. The songwriting, the soul, the instrumentation, the simplicity to keep it easy listening while also being interesting enough to pick out some of the small details in the background. Fistful of Love is a great track that really progresses into this full ensemble of incredible energy. There are some pitfalls here, like the higher pitched falsetto voice sometimes leaves much to be desired. But for the most part I really, really enjoyed listening to this.
Pretty Damn sad but to little going on for me. 0/5
I enjoyed this album, very different and quirky.
I liked this album a lot. it's very depressing in its own way. the reviews for this album are all misleading
I could give it a 0
Unique
One good song and they knew it
What a very mopey sounding album, for a lot of it anyways. I can't really bring myself to dislike it all that much though. It had a bit of variety at times and almost managed to sound not sad at some points. The album doesn't really overstay its welcome with the short runtime either. Antony has a very interesting voice, beautiful and melancholic but also hard to listen to for more than a song. Just a weird listen, but I guess the uniqueness gives it some merit.
Beautiful vocal performance and some nicely understated guest appearances.
I get why people don't like this (the vibrato!!) and I don't entirely get why I do like this. But I do. Melodramatic, emotional, over the top, both sparse and baroque.
This is essentially a piano-driven album of ballads. The lyrics are sung with an exaggerated passion and there's orchestral backing. The songs all blended together for me, and I've never been much into this genre when it's popped up on here before. Luckily this was relatively short, unlike those others.
This is different
Landmark work of genius.
what a voice!
really beautiful in a sad way, very nice
Huii das isch nöd mis Zu pop schnulzig
I don't know what it is specifically about this album but it's doing something interesting
노래는 전체적으로 잔잔하고 평범했다. Overall, the song was calm and ordinary.
This album impressed me. A unique and confident sound. I'm going to be generous and go with a four. Probably a 3.5 really when considered in relation to other albums I've recorded as a 4. What we really need is a ten point scale :/
This sort of melancholic baroque piano-centric pop does very little for me. It tries so hard to pull at your heartstrings with cliché and cheap tricks, and all that vibrato with the vocals got old fast. This isn’t a scathing review though. I’m merely highlighting why this isn’t a genre I listen to often. I didn’t think this was too bad, and it certainly wasn’t actively unpleasant to listen to. As well as that, I immediately clocked Lou Reed’s voice in one track, so that’s certainly a boost.
Ugh, what a whiny mess. I couldn't wait for the first song to end. After that, I gave a few more songs a listen. I don't like the voice or that whiny vibrato. I wouldn't listen to this again on my own. 1/5
“Fistful of Love” thats it.
An acquired taste. There is no doubt that Anohni is an incredibly talented performer. But I'm just not keen on this
what a voice , what a masterpiece
Had never heard of Antony and the Johnsons before, so nice to be introduced to something new! Really enjoyed this album, very chill and lovely.
A pretty good album.
Spox 3
The more things happen to you, the more joy and sadness mix, the harder it is to feel one without the other. For me at least, that cuts both ways - joy in sadness and sadness in joy - as long as we stretch our concept of “joy” to include such feelings as “quiet certainty I’ll get through this” or “making the right choice when all choices hurt.” Or anything to do with having kids, in particular, swirls those feelings together like tiger tail ice cream. Listening to Anohni and her crohnies (Lou Reed, Rufus Wainwright etc.) now makes me think about how much has happened and how much mixing happiness and sorrow have done since I first loved this music 20 years (!) ago. It’s like, with apologies to Warren G, do I a) go back to feeling sad, or do I b) try to be a bit more glad? Or do I c) just get gentle and mild? Anohni chose d) make her music her child. Exquisite.
Orchestral pop is not for me. Their voice was good on the slower songs but anything louder and it was hitting quite the odd pitch to my ear.
There’s a lot musically to love and appreciate. It’s just that voice which spoils it for me. I’m sure that Anthony is using his voice has an extra instrument to give the songs a unique sound. An admirable thing to do which does work but it depends on how you decipher the voice as to how much you enjoy the songs. I liked the album more than I thought and the strength of the songs and arrangements on the album make it an easy 4 star. Pity about the voice - if only the songs had been delivered more conventionally. Streamed this album on Apple Music. When it finished the algorithm chose Kate Bush followed by Joanna Newsom as similar artists. Two others with distinct but marmite voices. The accuracy of the algorithm is getting scary. 3/5 28/7/26
Anthony or ANOHNI's voice is very distinctive and in the right mood it hits the mark. I really liked this album when it came out but went off it after a while. Good to be reminded of it again. With a few drinks and feeling maudlin, this is great.
Yeah the singing was a bit much at times but it also soared a few times
At first her vocals kind of took me off guard with the fluttering vibrato, but as the absolute emotion of the delivery on top of the personal subject matter really pull the weight. The songs themselves are great with a big shout out to "Fistful of Love" which is absolutely epic. This is definitely an album that highlight the struggle of being a pre-trans woman, in a world not quite ready to broach the subject. Upon first listen I am compelled my the narrative and compassion, but somewhat taken back by music more somber than my usual pace. But once I was finished I was moved by her stroy and performance. (8.4) ★★★★
Beautiful, serene melodies and delivery. 4 stars
I expect this isn't everyone's cup of tea, and the lyrical content probably not relatable for all of us, but damn if this isn't some beautiful sad bastard (bastardess?) music. Anohni has a really cool Nina Simone meets Bryan Ferry voice and there's some great guest appearances here including Rufus Wainwright, Devendra Banhart, Boy Freakin' George, and the OG king of misery, Lou Reed. Highlights for me are "Hope There's Someone", "You Are My Sister", "Spiraling", "What Can I Do?" , and "Fistful of Love", which is a absolute masterpiece. 4.5 stars.
A bit too warbly for me. Sounds like Richmond the Goth from The IT Crowd having a wonky stab at a load of soppy, snoozy, sub-Adele chamber ballads.
This was a surprisingly good listen
the vocals on this took a bit to grow on me, it really sucked on the first track and it softened throughout it more. i know an acquaintance of mine who has almost the same voice but makes better music then this, so yeah. loved the production though. and the guest singers made the best tracks on the album.
To preface this review, I love that this album is on the list, and I'm super glad that we have some queer and especially trans artist representation on this list. HOWEVER, man, did I hate listening to it. I'm just not a fan of her vibrato at all, and the dreamy-like background sound did not appeal to my ears. I was really pulling my hair out by the end of the album.
nah
Still not sure what I just listened to.
I don’t get it. Boring chamber pop?
Date: 07/23/2026 Artist: Antony and the Johnsons Album: I Am a Bird Now Year: 2005 Style: Avantgarde, Glam Number: 201 Familiarity: None (1) Rating: 1 Before: ======= Never heard of them. But I do like Baroque Pop, Chamber Pop, Avantgarde, and Glam a bit. Seems like I may like this in theory. During: ======= OK, right off the bat, I don't like the vocal delivery at all, I mean it's really awful. There's no way I can sit through 35 and a half minutes of this. After : ======= So I did skip through a lot of it. No clue why this album would be on this list unless it's because it's by a trans dude and they're giving it extra points for that reason alone.
Excellent album, I must have listened to it before as I remember all the songs, I just forgot about it
That intro is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard. Rest of the album sends a positive message towards trans rights using her personal stories, among other personal themes. Beautiful ballads, but many of these songs are not my taste. Best: Hope There's Someone; Bird Guhl Worst: Spiralling
Powerful, emotional.
Anhoni released better albums
Not bad. Voice for a little annoying after a while
I enjoyed her vibrato, the sparse layout of some of the tracks and the heartfelt delivery of subject matter clearly close to Anohni's heart
This was not my speed.
Do I like this or not? I don’t know. It feels pretentious as hell but also I think I enjoy his voice? I don’t know.
Yeah the voice is a little much, but this is nice enough background music. Nice break from the routine. Not sure I'll be listening all the time, but glad to have it in the mix.
There is some really beautiful music in here…but the over-the-top Tiny Tim vibrato vocals really detracts from it for me. I would love to hear it without the vibrato vocals. Even though I can’t identify with the lyrics that are trans-themed, this feels like a missed opportunity for something really special. There is a garbage track in here too, that should be eliminated (Free at Last). Anyway, I will have to go with three disappointed stars.
As a millennial straight white man, I would argue this album belongs on this list not *because* it was made by a trans person, but because it is an excellent(ly depressing, intimate) deep dive into the mind of an artist actively attempting to discover their identity as a trans person -- a message which has unfortunately become more important than ever in the 20 years since this album released, with the ever-increasing vitriol directed by our society towards the trans community (eerily summarized by the album cover depicting trans icon Candy Darling on her deathbed). The vibrato was admittedly a bit off-putting at first, but upon listening to the full album, I'd argue that Anohni's singing style really does elevate the feelings of total vulnerability on display.
Hauntingly beautiful and true to life ❤️
One of the most unique sounding voices
I find the lyrics quite beautiful and a bit sad. Unfortunately I hate the vibrato singing. The song with Rufus Wainwright is great though!
Well, if I'm going to take anything from this, it's that Anonhi has one of the most unique voices I've ever heard. I certainly won't complain about transgender representation in the music industry, either. It is admittedly a bit distracting at points, however. I've also never really been into chamber pop, tends to be too dramatic for my tastes. There were still a decent amount of highlights, as well as some notable guest vocalists/performers, to slightly prop this one up for me.
The songs really irritated me first time around and although her voice still annoys me, the context explains a lot now and I don’t mind it quite so much. It’s got some genuinely beautiful moments too.
I remember when the opening track came out. I think it featured on a compilation CD that I had. Every now and then I listen to it. It's a lovely song. I am not sure that the rest of the album was quite as good, but I enjoyed it in a general sense. I like a distinctive voice and that is definitely on show here.
Kind of like a soft soul album. Pretty good. Haunting at parts.
I listened to about 25-30 seconds of the first track and I knew I would hate it. The vocals were excruciating.
This band/singer was totally new to me. It's hauntingly beautiful. I'm not sure what mood it suits, but she's really got a great voice, although a bit trill at times. The music was nice. (Exception: Free At Last could have been left off the album. Ugh)
Written about Len Houmous’ time where he toyed around with becoming a women. 4.2 1/10 Hope There’s Someone
Lots of vibrato. I'm really hoping it doesn't get overused. Ok, this is growing on me. Man's the Baby was a good track, musically very beautiful This is pleasant, easy listening. Haunting at times. Not a strong start but got significantly better after the first song. Will revisit.
This has happened to me before: I draw an album of the day that won the Mercury Prize, but I just don't enjoy it. I can understand that winning the Mercury Prize for the best British/Irish album of the year almost dictates that said album should appear on this (very British) list. But maybe every once in a while the judges got it wrong.
I really want to expand my musical horizons... But I'll just say not there. No. I want to expand them to somewhere with coherence.
Ok wow that's different! Almost hated it but it grew on me. Strong 5.
Some of these tracks have such beautiful melodies and arrangements, but I find myself just getting irritated by such an annoying level of vibrato. If this were dialled down a bit, I think this would be an album I could love!
I really loved this album, I hadn't listened to Antony and the Johnsons before, though I realised that they collaborated with Coco Rosie on Noah's Ark (which is an awesome album) I'll be listening to this again.
Nope. Barely made it 3 songs. This is not for me
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album. This is a very interesting album. Wikipedia calls it chamber pop, and I suppose that is appropriate. The vocals and instrumentation really stand out for me. I could see coming back to this one for sure.
Please, what’s going on here? Seriously, whoever got this project off the ground here—I’m absolutely grateful to you, from the bottom of my heart! This site, this web app, and everything about it is absolutely wonderful—5 stars. But whoever wrote the book and put together this list: WTF?!?!?! What’s going on, man? What kind of idea went through your head to put this kind of album on a “songs to listen to before you die” list! Seriously? Listen to this before I die? Ugh! I think I died while listening to this :-( Damn
I really live this album. Reading the reviews that say this is bad lounge music or vibrato piano sems to miss the forest for the trees to me. This is raw emotionally, not overly produced, and imperfect but very touching.
I really don't know why this is on the list.
I wish Antony would have decided to be a fish instead
'& godsend I don't want to go / To the seal's watershed.' Anohni's voice, w/ vibrato & strength, is a fascinating, tho not always pleasurable, amalgam of Brittany Howard's southern vigor & Kate Bush's avant-garde exuberance - she's, in other words, the direct inheritor of Nina Simone's genius, classical music included, tho she's not as supremely gifted or fully realized as Nina. Who is? But she is believable, & her transgender narratives are both real &, in the dark ages of 2026, as pressing as ever. The Rufus Wainwright track (#6) is a dud (not a surprise), but it's short, just as the record is. If it went on much longer, I wouldn't be as forgiving, but as it is, I'm left moved &, it's a shock to say, in the mood for a (slight) second helping. Well done, sister.
Еноні мене свого часу вразила своїми сольними альбомами і своїм голосом. Я ніколи особливо не слухав альбоми з гуртом, окрім останнього, що вийшов не так давно. Цей дуже красивий, сумний, голос звичайно на передньому плані. Можливо, треба переслухати, але не можу сказати, що мене перше прослуховування зачепило.
Красивий і місцями доволі heartbreaking альбом.
Crap on top of crap 1
Crazy to think how far we are from 2005 when you could make a beautiful piece of art about your personal trans experience and get critical recognition and awards from it. Anyway, I really like the lush chamber pop feel of the music, I think Anohni’s kinda-operatic vocal style and the lyrics create a sort of overwhelming emotional energy, and there’s a beautiful 6 minute gospel-esque song about understanding the love of your domme through their work. I don’t know how often I’d come back round to listen to it, raw and emotional as it is, but I do really quite fw it.
9/10 – Great
I really liked fistful of love. Good music I just had a hard time getting hooked.
Not my kind of music
Strangely intoxicating, I’m not a fan of the vibrato but I have a morbid curiosity to keep returning to this one
This got better as it went on. I think the sombreness expressed on this album is simply fantastic. You can really hear the sincerity in her voice, you know this stuff is for real, not fake. The instrumentation is very lush, it's so beautiful. It does a great job at supporting and creating the impeccable mood the album has. One big wish I have with this one, is that the song "What Can I Do?" had another minute and half to it, that song is literally to die for. An extended version of having it build up over a slightly long time would be an amazing thing to have. I think is pretty good, I also believe it has a earned place in the 1001 list. Highlight Song/s: "What Can I Do?" and "Fistful of Love"
I looked at the reviews and thought "this couldn't be that bad, I enjoy these genres" and then I heard his voice, and within 5 seconds I understood that I was going to be tortured for a half hour.
A little dramatic for me but an undeniable singular style that is compelling
I have very a very complicated opinion on this one. I've never heard it or even heard of it before today, and instantly the first thing I noticed were the instrumenal arrangements. It's like Black Country, New Road meets Godspeed You! Black Emperor, which are 2 of my favourite bands ever in terms of their instrumentals. So it's no surprise that I was so taken in my the very long and instrental heavy parts. However, in a way this almost feels *too* indulgent. Like it's been perfectly designed to have the perfect sound to appeal to fans of popular post-rock. That won't stop me enjoying it, but it does take the authenticity of it away a little bit for me. And the vocals too, I got mostly used to them but the end but at first I found the vocals to be pretty weird and annoying. I do feel I should revisit this as there's so much going on that just one day isn't enough time to spend with this album to really fully grasp everything that's going on.
low 3.5. Chato.
Really enjoyed, veRrRrRrRry unique voice
Started off strong, pretty beautiful singing and song writing. But it didn’t really do much for me or go anywhere 2.5
J'ai pas compris l'album.
Baroque pop? Chamber pop? WTH?!
I'm going to actually write stuff for a change. When it was released this got some rave reviews, and I gave it a listen, and I must've been in the wrong frame of mind, and I thought "no, not for me". Today, it sounded just fine and I'll be giving it more time and more plays soon. So thank you for making me give this another listen.
Het klagerige gejammer dat voor zang moet doorgaan. De drang om op elke noot een vibrato te zetten om daarmee de luisteraar te proberen overtuigen dat hij er bewust voor kiest om geen toon te kunnen houden. De pretentieuze muziek van een stel conservatorium studenten met grootheidswaanzin. De tenenkrullende teksten vol millennial angst die mij vergeefs proberen te overhalen dat deze navelstaarderij op een of andere manier diepzinnig , interessant of zelfs maar mijn tijd waard is… Het enige op deze plaat waar ik niet virulent het schijt van krijg zijn de stiltes tussen de nummers. Die mochten wat langer zijn.
How incredibly boring.
Chill and mellow. Not bad. A bit melancholy
A slow, warbily album about being trans? That’s a no for me dawg.
ANOHNI
A truly beautiful voice. The band has an interesting and powerful history as well.
awesome sad record
I don't think the music itself is bad, or even the singing STYLE, but that voice is absolutely horrendous.
Serious sad soulful unique and theatrical.
I was really hoping I was going to like this after the first few seconds of the album. But instead what I got was a rollercoaster. The first half of the album was bad. Like I never want to listen to those songs again bad. The interludes with the really hard piano playing and the duet singing with half a second delay were big parts of that. The singing is really good at times when there is only one person singing and they don't try to go to high with no breath left. That being said the later half of the album suddenly removes those elements and what you are left with are really soft and beautiful songs that I really enjoy. Unfortunately the album as a whole is kind of a miss for me even with some good parts and moments of brilliance.
I vaguely remember this when it came out. Really glad I listened to the whole album. Such a haunting voice and minimal production.
I was pretty miserable. This was one of the easiest 1 stars I’ve given throughout this project. My favorite part was where it was Rufus Wainwright singing. Rating: 1.3
Un álbum bastante cargado emocionalmente, con canciones que hablan sobre la sexualidad y la muerte como una forma de renacimiento, sobre si habrá alguien en ése momento donde se pasa a mejor vida. Está bastante bien producido y la voz de Anhoni es impresionante, muy virtuosa, pude disfrutar mucho del álbum pero obviamente no me golpeó como lo haría con una persona de la comunidad LGBTQ+.
Soulful, melancholy vocals, minimal accompaniment.
Amazing stuff. Also, cannot recommend enough The Unthanks' versions of both You Are My Sister and Today I Am A Boy. Properly magical.
Total and utter beauty. Like a fragile, gold plated Japanese tea pot. Shattering beauty, captivating, encapsulating. Nearly overwhelming and suffocating. It's not for everyone, but this is for me! Goosebumps all throughout. Thank goodness it's 35 minutes, I don't think I could handle more sadness I love her voice, so much.
Not really anything that grabbed me but not bad. Not the biggest fan of his voice. 5/10
I've always kinda struggled to get into A&tJ and ANOHNI's work - they have an incredible voice but I don't find it the most pleasant to listen to. Undoubtedly there are real moments of beauty on this album, so I can't really knock it much. Fave Tracks: What Can I Do?, Fistful of Love, 3.5/5
Very beautiful, I don't think I've ever heard an album that talks about gender in such a raw way and conveys the challenges and beauty of gender fluidity
Idk, the voice was great but not really my album...
- dang, this shits fire. Incredibly unique. Really fucking with this - Goddamn fistful of love is so good
3, a bit boring
Okay.
Malo
Imagine having the confidence/arrogance/delusion to sing like that and release it as an album. Absolute dog toffee.
That falsetto was intolerable
There are some moments here where the music is absolutely beautiful. Some lovely acoustic guitar work throughout. The string arrangements laced over delicate piano lines are gorgeous. But then he sings over it all in that relentless vibrato and it completely kills the mood. I accept that a singer's tone may be a harsh and very personal, subjective feature to criticise but I can't help the fact that I never want to hear his sheeplike warbling again so I'll have to tick this one off and move on.
Meh
Beautifully executed chamber pop anchored by a unique voice. I have heard Anohni’s music sporadically and remember this album making a small splash back in its release time but never gave it the listen it deserved. Anohni’s real talent is using her voice to make you feel emotions you never you would by vocals alone. An album that falls into the “great but may not listen again” category. It can be a little too morose for repeated listens but the two listens I did give it are worth four stars.
Ok
Not for me. 1/5
I absolutely love Anohni and this was her first album I knew. I have see her love since - amazing. Musically great, love the super interesting, androgynous voice. Nice guest act from Boy George too, in a fab song - You Are My Sister.
Quit playing. 1.
Personal enjoyment: 3/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5
Good singing, but voice is hard to get into. Also gay. Couldn't listen to whole album.
It's 3.5
I liked it.
2.5 because half was pretty cool and half annoyed me.
Better than Mariah Carey’s bullshit but not by much. Woof. One of the most boring things I’ve ever heard.
Sounds like an over dramatic ghost singing. Did not like this.
Interesting album. Unexpected. I feel like it does belong on this list even if I might not think it’s the best album ever
I just don't like the singer. I think I would rather listen to Tiny Tim, of Tiptoe Through the Tulips fame, audition for a Broadway musical. The songs were pretty boring also, so it wasn't just his singing. I'll give it two stars because the musicians were good.
Beautiful backing music. I was not a fan of the lead vocal or repetitive lyrics.
Anohni has such a beautiful voice. She needs to let it rip more.
re creepy wtf no
I've never clicked with Anhoni.
This is such a strange but surprisingly beautifully written album. Yes, there is probably too much vibrato in the vocals and there were 2 or 3 moments it started to feel quite annoying, but it doesn't take away from how emotive and passionate the songs felt. The opening track in particular was superb. It felt interesting and engaging to listen to, and not like anything I'd heard before. I definitely prefer the first half of the album than the second but overall this was a great listen.
Absolutely stunning and haunting.
I just couldn't get past the whiney vocals. No thank you, please
surprising and impressive! one of the issues i've had with classic rock is that songs are all the same intensity. this feels like each song as a specific idea and it's walking you through all the points of the idea. this culminates in imo the best song on the album, fistful of love, which starts softly and understated and builds piece by piece up to a shouting crescendo by the end. it always feels like something new is happening
i am so tired
Super sentimental. It feels like the lead singer is spilling their heart as they sing… with an insane vibrato. I didn’t like their voice at first, but I grew to enjoy it pretty quickly. And the guest appearances are pretty cool, since they change things up a bit in the midst of an album that might’ve sounded a bit too samey if not for that.
1. Hope there is someone: Quiet, sad, bit of hope, weeping and shaking voice, brings out the message of wanting sb beside you until the end not many lyrics but beautiful meaning -> Only Piano and Voice, but still epic in the middle 2. My Lady Story As Quiet, same voice and kind of same message -> Piano coupled with the singer, flute and a choir resonates a lot 3. For today I am a boy: "One day ill grow up" -> Drums, loops piano and voice makes this one very entertaining, has a long buildup 4. Man is the Baby forgiveness "set my spirit free" ->stringers come in, sonds nice, lyrics kinda disappionting 5. You are my sister song about the actual sister, sinatra vibes, hopeful, female choir nice message 6. What can I do? another lead singer, lyrics are not that interesting 7. Fistful of love Jazz feeling with Frank Sinatra's way of singing story of a partner giving sb. a way of hard love literally burning through the others heart -> Trumpets come in 8. Spiralling boy whose insignificant and doesnt know where he wants to go in his life and is freezing, maybe from the loneliness -> very sad piano but epic undertone and middle part 9. Free at last ??? Guy goes to die and thanks god for he is "free at last" -> very sad and lyrics are spoken 10. Bird Guhl yeah, idk about this one, lyrics are kind of a mess, music-wise it is still impressive
The reviews on here I swear. I’m guilty of this too at times, and it’s not going to be everyone’s taste (which is fine), but are we serious? God forbid a voice be unique, especially in how it gets its pain and sorrow across. WEAK. Anyway I knew this was a five before we reached it but definitely by the time Fistful of Love needed to be replayed three times over. What an immaculate and sorrowful album.
голос не подобається
You know this isn’t my typical stuff but I really enjoyed the uniqueness of this. This is why I do this project, to find things outside my comfort zone.
I didn't like this when it came out and I still don't. His voice ain't for me.
An incredible pile of excrement. Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ really not much Revisit ❌️ Default ★☆☆☆☆ (2/10) Total reviewed : 330 Already owned : 76 Purchased : 15 To buy : 4 Nope : 235
No me gustó pero por lo menos en lo vocal es bastante mas interesante de lo común Nota: 2.9
ну понятно почему все залупились. но мне нравится такое. хотя шутки про обилие вибрато это точно имеет место быть
7.50/10 Me gustó, canciones muy tranquilas rozando lo triste. Sería fenomenal entender la letra, ahi esta el punto de inflexión capaz, pero bien la verdad
I appreciate the artistry, but I'm not a fan of the tight vibrato voice.
Not of the fan of the super processed voice but the music and songs are good
Hell of a personal statement. Not my style musically but I can appreciate how much 'self' is in this. It's heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure. It's beautiful.
The heavy vibrato on Hope There‘s Someone made me consider not listening to this album at first. Thankfully, as the album went on, Anohni either toned it down or i got used to it. What revealed itself to me was an album full of brutal honesty and vulnerability about the experience of Ahnoni‘s life as a trans-woman, accompanied by beautiful piano melodies. The album can be a bit monotonous in musically, but definitely left it‘s marks on me.
I'm not a fan of her voice. I remember seeing them perform "You Are My Sister" on a late-night show years ago, and wondered what the big deal was. That being said, there are some really good songs on here. "Fistful of Love" is a true banger. I liked it more than I imagined I would, but it's still just a 3* album.
5.5/10
I have no idea what's going on here, but I'm liking it.
Pretty powerful and the trans themes obviously resonated
BEAUTIFUL
Anohni!! What a talent. I already really like “Hopelessness” and “My Back Was A Bridge…”, so going back to earlier in her career is cool. The first song took a minute to get going, but WOW what an outro. I also respect her vocal abilities, but the vibrato can be a little much, especially on the opener (she reminded me of Tiny Tim on that one, lol). The atmosphere with the piano was really pretty. And I loved hearing the different singers coming in as features. I love her unique musical style, and as usual, there’s some solid storytelling on here. She definitely evolved in a good way since this album, but even here she has such a powerful vision. If you’re reading this and on the fence about her, please listen to her more recent work. It’s worth it.
This album is meant to showcase the singer’s voice. The problem is, I’m not a fan of the voice. Not for me.
Not really my jam, but some very pretty songs with technically accomplished but occasionally grating vocals.
Sad guy with piano. Fistful of love only ok song.
Dreadful. Every aspect of this album is miserable.
Anohni has had a fascinating career and I respect what she's trying to do here but much like Leonard Cohen this falls in "not for me" territory. A lot of misgendering in the reviews here unfortunately!
It's haunting and mellow. I don't think I will listen to it again, but I feel the pain of the singer in the music
The singer's voice is too distracting and silly. It sounds like a muppet. I can't take this seriously.
Never got off the ground for me. The singer's voice is quite good but the whole mood of the album is sad.
Wow, what a beautiful, crooning voice she has. Not unlike Nina Simone (not as great, either but the comp still stands). This album is too sad to listen to on a regular basis but it has a desolate kinda beauty to it. Some really cool features on here as well, ranging from Lou Reed to Boy George to Devandra Banhart.
Wish I enjoyed this more but the permanently mournful vocals grate on me pretty quickly.
Painfully honest. I don’t wish to hear it again.
I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t this. I think the vocals will be the main talking point here. I quite liked them but Becky hated it. Musically this is very pleasant and it has enough variety to be interesting whilst also being beautiful for the most part. A nice surprise for me, but your mileage may vary depending on tolerance for vibrato.
this was so not my thing…. I didn’t finish it
Would be good if the vocals weren’t so bad. 2 stars
Pretty good vocals and songs - I like it.
Pretty fun with the super dramatic singing and subject matter.
Mike, I do know this group - the singer is transgender and I learned about her through a hauntingly beautiful track called It Must Change. The honesty and raw emotion I hear in the lyrics are brave and heartbreaking, the music is lovely. For Today I am a boy makes me want to hug her
This feels like a devastating breakup during a different era when technology and urgency didn't overtake our world. When we sat with our feelings. It's a reflection of time, understanding, and focus. The longing, confusion, and sadness. Or at least, that's what it sounds like to me.
the human voice is what adds humanity to recorded music. rock, pop, soul, metal, punk, big band - whatever genre. it often comes down to the voice. it's the real difference maker. not that there aren't distinctive guitar players with a signture style- there absolutely are. but how many bands or artists do you write off because of a midlevel guitarist. you notice when a guitarist is great but if they are just competent rarely will you turn away. but the voice - you can tell in a matter of seconds of you are going to relate to an artist. some artists may grow on you - especially artists with distinctive/unique/non traditional voices. but i would say my experience usually goes the other way - i can be drawn initially to someone's unique delivery that i may grow weary of over time. Some of my favorite voices: Nick Cave, Mark Hollis, PJ Harvey, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, Nick Drake, Greg Dulli, David Yow, Tanya Donnelly, Julie Byrne, Jeff Tweedy - they are all over the place in terms of style, range, etc. but what they all have is style that for some reason resonated with me. And there are plenty of notable artists that i just never got - largely because of the voices - Arcade Fire, White Stripes, Florence and the Machine, Beyonce. For whatever i just didn't connect even when the music is good to great. That's a me thing and perhaps something that is encoded deep within me. This album pretty much comes down to your tolerance/enjoyment of the human voice in this iteration. unique - maybe but i have heard it done better with less - or a at least more natural - reliance on the "V" word. I have tried many times over the last 20 years to grasp A&TJ. Nothing is more telling than my favorite track on this album - What Can I Do? - originally i thought - great - pulling back on the vibrato to just a warble that sounded vaguely reminiscent of another distinctive voice that i rather enjoy - and it turns out was in fact Rufus W. That pretty much says it all. Some good songs on here and the arrangements are often excellent especially as the album progresses but i just can't take the voice. i tried. PS - there is a song I do enjoy by this artist with the help of Bryce Dessner. .perhaps because it was a one off or maybe just because it captures sormthing truly special - a version of Dylan's I Was Young When I Left Home. It is a treat. do yourself a favor - especially if you don't like this album and give it a listen. 2.5 stars
Would I listen again: yes I wish I liked her voice more but this was really nice. I’m really looking forward to the Rufus Wainwright albums now. This was smooth and had a lot of feeling in it.
++: Fistful of Love +: What Can I Do?, Free at Last +-: Man Is the Baby, You Are my Sister, Bird Gerhl -: My Lady Story, For Today I Am a Boy, Spiralling --: Hope There's Someone 3,2/10
Beautiful, soulful album. I don't normally feel that I can understand and hear an album's story, but this one was clear and the message vulnerable. I listened to this while I was working and it really kept me centered.
Perfectly fine and pretty mope pop. If it’s your thing you’ll love it. Nothing stood out for me and kept forgetting I was listening to something.
Not really sure how this qualifies as an essential listen, but I like it! Rather calm and beautiful and the guests fit right in without standing out very much.
I thought this was a spin off from “ The Gabriel’s “ then looked up the album, so was surprised, very different feel to this one, powerful vocals, I liked it
It feels very personal and powerful and I appreciate that but, unfortunately, it's not my cup of tea. Would put 1 star but I think with the lyrics and the sincereness of this album I can't bring myself to do that. It's not bad, I'm sure it resonates with a lot of people but not with me.
Wow this album is so above me in every way. Like if I could describe this album my actual response would be that this album is above my pay grade. This is definitely a theater kid’s type of album, for lack of a better term, this is the gayest album I’ve ever heard. No joking aside, this album really is great but it’s way too slow and poetic for me. I enjoy the guys voice, in fact his voice is wildly impressive with his delivery. But again something this sad and slow just won’t ever click with me unless it has a comedy hook. I don’t know why my brain works this way, I can appreciate that the instrumentals are breathtaking and haunting, especially the “break down” in the title track, like it’d be impossible not to get goosebumps listening to that. But I can’t connect with it, and that’s a problem. Again I would (and have) recommend to friends and family. But I just can’t get that part of my brain to click and truly love this album. And I say that begrudgingly, because when I hear something like this I immediately recognize that I’m not “enlightened” enough to like it, and that’s makes me sad cause the family member I recommended this too I’m very close with but that disconnect makes me insecure that we don’t have the same tastes or interests. But then i remember that we both love Alex Cameron, so at least we have that going for us. I do want to end on a positive, so why that in mind, my favorite songs on this album are “my lady story” and “fistful of love”. Both of which are fucking awesome!
The Nina Simone feel in her vocals is a bit too strong for me. It's an artistic sounding album, but I just don't like it a lot.
there is nothing that this album gives me
A really good album, I liked Hope There’s Someone, For Today I Am A Boy, What Can I Do and Fistful Of Love the most.
Maudlin warbling.
Can appreciate this but I have always found their voice hard to listen to.
It's not been a great run thus far. I have never heard of this band/artist. If Rufus Wainwright fronted a band inspired by the Velvet Underground, but guitars were all but eliminated from the sound...this is what you would get. I looked up the Mercury Prize to see what other bands were nominated and it turns out this "1001 Albums" book is basically a listing of Mercury Prize nominees. Who could have foreseen that? It turns out I have bad taste in music, as I did not enjoy a lot of the Mercury Prize winning albums. I guess I am not bougie enough to enjoy good music. This album is just shockingly dreary and I will not dump on it as I did The Streets album yesterday (which I am still recovering from learning was not a parody of albums made by white rappers). This one probably just isn't an album for me. The vocals didn't bother me, it just felt very forced and more interested in being interesting than anything else. It was an exercise in patience more often than not. My favorite songs: Hope There's Someone For Today I am a Boy You Are My Sister Fistful of Love
This is a beautiful album, especially with the context of Anohni's journey. I love how this album explores her singular perspective, and I really admire her evocative lyricism and her voice (both singing-wise and narratively). My small critique would be that there could be a bit more variety in the tracks as the album progresses, but overall, this is a moving and exquisite work of art. Favorites: For Today I Am A Boy, You Are My Sister, Fistful Of Love
I respect Anohni far more than I particularly love her music (the voice can grate sometimes, I'm afraid), but when she hits, she hits hard. This is probably her and her band's most cohesive work. Some truly lovely tracks here, but would love to see them change up the tempo a little more (more tracks like Fistful of Love, please). Anywho, go look up her cover of Candy Says, it's great!
almost seemed like a joke
The lyrics were so beautiful and poignant. There were songs that I was deeply moved by, but there were also songs that I had to grit my teeth to get through. The high vibrato is not for me, but the rest of the songs are so gorgeous that it makes up for it. The whole album was so impactful on me that it bumped it up to a 4.
This was a very nice album. The vibrato took a little getting used to, but it was very expressive. There were some really cool musical moments throughout the album, and the lyrics were heartfelt and personal. Pleasant surprise.
I bought this when it came out as it was a Mercury Prize winner but never really got on with it to be honest. Listening again all these years later and I may have been a tad harsh! It’s actually pretty good. She does a fabulous version of Knockin on Heavens Door which is worth searching out.
I think you can say one thing for sure - it’s impossible not to be moved one way or the other by this album. I’ve listened to a few of the songs before so I am familiar with the extreme falsetto singing. I think it both can be very moving, but also a bit much at times. Even though I don’t like the album all the way through there are some really nice moments. I also definetly think that the album deserves it’s spot on the list. Favourites: Hope There’s Someone, Bird Guhl,
This is art. Almost seems like a play or musical or something.
While it's clearly personal and prying deep in there, the instrumentation could've been a bit more... latching in the first half, I think. Track 6 and onwards gets more creative and exciting with the playing, and the singing seems polarizing for most but I'm just fine with her voice. Certainly a surprising addition but one of the more thought-provoking ones.
I can totally see this as being inspiration for bands that I'm more familiar with, and that are more recent. I don't love it, don't hate it, but do enjoy the smooth jazzy rock feel.
Very different album. I did enjoy it though! I at first thought the vibrato was too much but it settled down after awhile and I got to appreciate it.
3 for the unabashed boldness.
I would like to simultaneously give this a 2, 3 and 4. Some songs are a perfect combination of Antony's vocals and the music. And for some songs all I could think of was Tiny Tim without the falsetto. When they're on, this band has some pretty high highs, however that's sadly too rare. But, another album I'm glad I listened to and wouldn't have otherwise - even if I didn't totally like it.
Honestly a really solid album.
DNF. Couldn’t handle the vibrato.
Das zweite Studioalbum der New Yorker Band Antony and the Johnsons entstand unter der Produktion von Anohni selbst; das Mixing übernahm Doug Henderson in den Micromoose Studios in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Veröffentlicht auf dem Indie-Label Secretly Canadian – in Großbritannien über Rough Trade – bewegt sich I Am a Bird Now im Spannungsfeld von Chamber Pop und Art Rock: Klavier, Streicher und sparsame Bläserarrangements bilden das fragile Gerüst für Anohnis außergewöhnliche Stimme, die zwischen zerbrechlichem Falsett und dunklem Kontralto schwebt. Das Album kreist um Fragen der Identität, Transformation, Liebe und Verlust – Themen, die Anohni mit einer Unmittelbarkeit formuliert, die keine Distanz zulässt. Gastauftritte von Lou Reed (Gitarre und Spoken Word auf „Fistful of Love"), Boy George (Duett auf „You Are My Sister"), Rufus Wainwright und Devendra Banhart sind keine dekorativen Beilagen, sondern Teil eines queer-künstlerischen Kosmos, der das Album ikonographisch auflädt. Die Eröffnungsnummer „Hope There's Someone" setzt sofort den Ton: ein einsamer Klavierakkord, dann eine Stimme, die einem schlicht den Boden unter den Füßen wegzieht. I Am a Bird Now gewann im September 2005 den britischen Mercury Prize – der größte Sprung in der Chartgeschichte des Preises folgte: von Platz 135 auf 16 in einer Woche. Doch der kommerzielle Nachklang interessiert hier kaum; wichtiger ist, dass das Album damals ein seltenes, offenes Zeugnis trans-femininer Erfahrung in den Mainstream trug, ohne dabei einen Millimeter Eigensinn preiszugeben. Neben „Hope There's Someone" und „You Are My Sister" gehören „For Today I Am a Boy" und das abschließende „Bird Gerhl" zum Stärksten, was die Nullerjahre an Kammermusik hervorgebracht haben. Ein Album, das einen nicht loslässt – nicht beim ersten Hören, nicht beim zwanzigsten.
This is ridiculous.
The vocals are unique (mostly in a good way) but I didn't connect to most of the songs and overall found it weirdly off-putting.
Listened to before? No Context? The band's second album; very critically-acclaimed. At the first song, I was unsure. That vibrato was too much. I couldn't tell what she was saying whatsoever. The piano was very lo-fi but not charmingly so—just sort of grating. However, by the three minute mark, they'd won me over. It's raw. It's beautiful. The piano ended up being absolutely fantastic. The vocals remind me a lot of Nina Simone in the expressiveness and range. It also very much comes off as soul-influenced, even though it's more art-pop. It's easy to get so caught up in the raw vocals and beautiful piano and strings that you almost miss the lyrics, which are deeply personal, yet still highly distilled. They explore themes of transgenderism in a very interesting way, with a hopeful, almost childlike sentiment ("For Today I Am A Boy") as well as a sort of horror that drowns under the beautiful arrangements ("Lady Story"). There's also discussions of relationships, both good ("You Are My Sister") and bad ("Fistful of Love"). Speaking of the latter, it's easily the best song on the album. Just absolutely stellar. Somebody tried to talk to me when I was listening to it and I shanked them on the spot. There was a lot of blood. Jokes aside, it nearly moved me to tears. The brass section—the passion in her voice—the lyricism—just 100/10 all around. On the subject of what this album does brilliantly, man, the cover being a picture of a transgender Warhol actress on her death bed while the title is "I Am a Bird Now"? Just...wow. Real quick, I will say some things I really didn't like, though. For one, I've listened to this album four times now, and I still can't stand the first three minutes. Maybe because it takes me some time to adjust to her voice. Oh, man, her voice. It's not bad by any means. In fact, it's quite good. But that doesn't change the fact that I want to shake her by the shoulders and yell "CUT IT OUT WITH THE VIBRATO." Similarly, the mixing for the vocals isn't great. Especially the backing vocals. For the record, I don't mind lo-fi whatsoever—my favorite genre is punk—but it can be grating when there's a genuine attempt for it to be good, and it isn't, while at the same time there is a disgusting amount of vibrato. As a side note, I'd like to see Anohni sing a Green Day song, because Billie Joe Armstrong uses, like, absolutely zero vibrato in his voice. It would be really funny. Despite all that, I can't bring myself to dock a star from this album. It's just so beautifully raw. It's so artistic and poetic and all of those good things. The beauty here outweighs any overused vibrato or bad mixing. While reading the Wiki page, I saw that it mentioned a music critic from Tiny Mix Tapes who said "I'd put on my music critic's cap and dive into scrutiny, but I am too enraptured by the artist's music." And yeah, that's exactly how I feel. 100%.
2.3 2x not bad just a bit boring
#340/1001. Antony, you sure are a bird, with a voice that is both beautiful and awkward, gaining haters and lovers all around the globe. The music is something I call sounds good on Sundays, but other days are quite ok as well. Still I feel I am either too old or too young to fully respect this so that this album would become a staple in my playlist.
Not completely objectionable, but ... not gonna listen again either.
Blech.
Her voice is polarizing and there is a bit too much torch singing on this, but I like several tracks a lot and I have since it came out in 2005. At that time, I was pretty ignorant on transgender issues. On Hope There's Someone, she expresses a very basic desire that she not die alone. It moved me. Incels notwithstanding, I don't think most heteronormative young people have a deep-seated fear that they are unlovable freaks, destined for a lonely end. The cover art is on point, too.
Didn't like her voice; didn't make it very far.
2/5 - Appreciate the emotion and the feeling she's going for, but this just isn't an album I'm going to spend more time with.
Listened to one song, skipped through a couple and gave up half way. Vibrato is too much and vocals are just grating. Not for me.
Quite a lot of transphobia in the top 1 star reviews which is disappointing but not unexpected. From the thinly veiled to that one guy who says he "can tell that's no woman singing". Not to mention all the geniuses pointing out the (obviously intentional) British slang interpretation of the album's title. Now that's out of the way, like another reviewer said, the album lives or dies on whether you like the vibrato or not. Personally I thought it added to the emotion. It's a beautiful album. It might not be something I would listen to very often, but I enjoyed my time with it nonetheless. 🏳️⚧️
Quite heavy stuff for something titled "I Am a Bird Now" -- but Anohni and her band kept the music afloat with sincere vocals and lyrics.
Really personal, passionate melancholy, but an amazing vocal and very powerful. Not one I’d play on repeat but a really good album, one to revisit. 4.2/5.
Not into vocal warbles.
It's kinda tough to rate so I'll give it a 3 Will I listen to again: 2%
Not very memorable. 6/10
I don't know what to expect here. Never heard of this artist. I don't know it was alright 2 stars.
I get why people people rate it—proper emotional, stripped-back etc But honestly, I just couldn’t get past the vocals, which I didn’t enjoy at all. Just not one I’d stick on again, not my cup of tea. My favourite track was what can I do but that’s really because I really like Rufus Wainwright.
I don't hate this, but this isn't for me. Every song is so full of melancholy, and their voice has too much vibrato on everything. I'm satisfied that I've given it a listen, but have no intention on doing so again.
Unique and affecting artist and singer. But for me at least, an album full of it is a few songs too many.
moving but also hard to listen fully ?
Pleasant enough, but too reliant on a single, overly melodramatic sound. So, pretty at times but boring. Favorite song: Fistful Of Love
Une belle découverte. J’a hésité à mettre 5.
I'm nearly a full year into this list and this is the first piece of trans representation I get. I'm gonna take some time to shout out some trans artists and bands before I actually get into the meat of my review. Here's a good few, mostly consisting of bands and artists I either really like or found really recently. -Underscores -SOPHIE -Cavetown -Dazey and the Scouts -The Cliks -Liturgy -Daedalus -Backxwash -Uboa -Schmekel -LustSickPuppy -Throbbing Gristle -Ryan Cassata Thank you for your attention to this matter. Back to the review. I feel heard, to a degree. It's weird, I feel like I have less and less of a tie to gender as a concept the further I go down my gender journey. Gender is totally meaningless to me. Despite that, I feel heard listening to this. I didn't even know I was waiting for an album like this because I didn't even consider a trans artist making this list because of how overwhelmingly 1970s and British the whole thing is. Right between Frank Zappa and whatever I get after this is this queen pouring her heart out for 30 minutes. To think that the top few reviews are calling her voice annoying. Hell, the top one doesn't even call her a her. Her voice is as wonderful as it is expressive, and it sure is expressive. In other words: you go, diva, show them cisgenders.
Virkelig ikke for meg, intetsigende og forferdelig kjedelig
Ble aldri helt solgt på Antony and the Johnsons. Mye er fint, men synes også vokalen blir vel mye til tider. Solo-plata til Anohni er bra.
Fint! Men blir aldri helt grepet med
It’s a no from me. Musikk for artsy jenter i tidlig tyveårene med heartbreak og en fraværende far.
Man kan høre at her synges det med øyan lukka. Det e jo fint, men ikke helt min greie.
Bare ikke for mæ.
Ektefølt, men ensformig. Åpningslåta er det store høydepunktet. Blir litt slapt mot slutten.
not my thing 1/5
Gostei do álbum. É bem melancólico e muito bem feito. Truthear Zero: Red.
Reminds me of James blake and Perfume Genius. Honestly, I really liked this album, the whole album is very strong through and through. Phenomenal song writing and singing; it feels that every few minutes on this album everything just comes together into a lush explosion of sound 8/10
So simple yet so effective, powerful and intimate.
Absolutely beautiful! What a voice! What a find.
I liked the album!!! Deep lyrics and chill music
Essential ? Dysmorphic. this is horrific.