I Am a Bird Now

Listening to this makes me think about how the music press used to be a force for good. Im a 44 year old cis white male who has loved music all his life. When i was younger, i would buy music that my friends had played me. recommended to me or stuff that had been fsvourably reviewed. The advent of streaming means i now just listen to as much as i can and keep the stuff i like. When this album came out it was incredibly well reviewed and I took the plunge and bought it without ever hearing it. The reviews talked about a delicacy and a power to the music and the message that had to be heard, and it probably was a function of the zeitgeist if the time when trans issues were coming to the fore 23 year old me took this home and listened to it for the first time and it sounded unlike anything that would have engaged me previously and i put it away as a dud. However, because i owned the album i occasionally came back to it and the more i listened to it, the more i could begin to get past the unfamiliarity of the themes and appreciate its beauty. The reviewers were right: this is an album of power and beauty that tells a tale of someones yearning to reach their destiny and needed to be heard. In the world of streaming, i may never have got past the origional alien-ness. So thank to the music press, thanks to Antony and the Johnsons and its a reminder in this modern age (and where we have 1 day to digest and review something) to try and give albums time to unveil their charms at their own pace.

This took me by surprise the last time I felt it necessary to have an opinion on the Mercury Prize shortlist, and has stuck with me ever since. So many lovely moments decorated with beautiful, emotional vibrato, and such a judicious deployment of the various guests. You are fortunate not to hear the godawful sounds I make while attempting to sing along with "Bird Gehrl"..

The vibrating voice stands out, and the foregrounding of trans sentiment is cause for celebration, but the music is often too trad lounge, adventurous interstitials like the end of “Hope There’s Someone” and the middle of “Man Is Baby” suggesting a weirder, more engagingly awkward record hiding behind the shiny prize winner.

What an opening, cut straight to the core. Its autobiographical, heartfelt, and rather heavy themes run through every track. The one criticism I would give is subjective; that it's not particularly engaging musically. Banal chord structures and an underuse of more complex vocal melodies, the ability of which is demonstrated in the opening track, leaves a tinge of disappointment.

It's all very dramatic, but it works for me.

There are some really nice parts to this album. The vibrato in the voice takes a little getting used to, especially in the more fragile songs, but it grows on me particularly in the stronger songs. Emotional and heartfelt album, Fistfull of Love was a great track.

Decent voice, boring music.

I liked it, I already knew the first track, it was nice

Heart wrencher here, quite beautiful, but a bit luke warm on it. Standouts are My Lady Story, You Are My Sister, Fistful of Love and Bird Guhl.

This was lush and beautiful and not what I was expecting at all.

Fell asleep twice and I wasn't even tired. Voice is alright. 2/10.

ANONHI’s voice isn’t my jam, but the depth of feeling is hard to ignore. Will have to sit on it for a bit longer. A tentative 4/5

Very interesting album. I like the macabre feeling that it sends! Great experience!

JL : 2, Fistful Of Love

Okayy

I think the singing was technically very good - with that being said, I found that it didn't fall on my ears well. It reminded me of something you'd hear in a theatre play or something. The overall sound was quite stripped and dark, which I didn't really like much either. I can recognize that this album has a particular feel and it sounds like a lot of effort was done to make that feel as deep as possible, but this wasn't an album for me.

I don't get this artist. Weird ass quivering voice over boringly slow piano. It's yet another British artists that gets the nod for being British. The listener counts are impressive with every song over 2M and a pair over 32M ("Hope There's Someone" & "Fistful Of Love"). "Fistful" was the closest thing to a good song on here, by far, the music was spot on with the horns. Maybe it's on here for the struggle between sexualities and the words hit home for people. I just didn't enjoy the music and hated the vocals. I could never throw this on and not be annoyed to death by their voice. 2 stars.

Didn’t mind this. I don’t think I could listen too often though as the vibrato singing would do my head.

I heard an interview where they explained "For today I am a boy" became a popular drinking song in Italy. The interviewer asked some Italians if they understood what the lyrics of the song meant. They said, "yes, it's about longing." how beautiful to appreciate the sentiment.

Boring, musically uninteresting, uncompelling lyricism, all of my criteria for a 2/5 provided the album doesn't actively aggravate me. That being said, the constant vibrato singing got on my nerves really quickly. Make like a bird and fly away from my memory.

If you enjoy slow, emotional songs, this might be for you. I mean, they're good slow, emotional songs. But in general Im not.

Tony and his cocks this is the first time I’ve seen a single one of these

Liked it, didn't love it. Vocals were a bit too artsy/vibrato for me, but overall I enjoyed it more than I usually would with vocals like that.

Wow ... that was so uninteresting.

It's unique, I get that, but that voice just grates on me. Marmite album. 2005 Mercury Prize Nominees • Antony and the Johnsons — I Am a Bird Now (Winner) • Bloc Party — Silent Alarm • Coldplay — X&Y • The Go! Team — Thunder, Lightning, Strike • Hard-Fi — Stars of CCTV • Kaiser Chiefs — Employment • KT Tunstall — Eye to the Telescope • The Magic Numbers — The Magic Numbers • Maxïmo Park — A Certain Trigger • M.I.A. — Arular • Polar Bear — Held on the Tips of Fingers • Seth Lakeman — Kitty Jay

This seems to be a polarizing record. Well, I am firmly in the ‘love it’ camp. Amazing album.

Made me very emotional

Albums got an appeal and direction, but it's just not for me personally.

Not much my vibe, slow and a little strange but not in a bad way, just not my cup of tea.

This album took me by surprise. So it’s by a transgender woman but the voice is the most beautiful dude voice, mixed with some really striking kinda jazzy instrumentals and it all works. It’s weird tho because I couldn’t listen to this all the time, but I can’t give it anything less than a 4. It’s very good, once again the guy(?) has such a beautiful haunting voice.

Great singer, and instrumentals are solid. A fairly depressing vibe and some melancholy lyrics. An enjoyable listen but not my usual style which prevents me from giving it too high of a rating.

Had never heard of them but enjoyed the album

Iconic opening and a stunning, haunting voice

Awful

가끔 느끼한 것도 먹어줘야

When I go to the Wiki summary and the main factor is that an album won the Mercury prize, my heart sinks. I’m almost through with this list and those have tended to be bland British albums. This is an exception. Beautiful instrumentation, moving vocals, lyrics that bring you into the artist’s world. I never would have found this on my own, and I do think I’m better for having heard it. Exactly what this oat is for! Win! Ironically, I read somewhere that this album is not in the most recent edition of the book. That’s truly a shame.

I enjoyed the voice, but found the songs a bit to waily for me. Vibrato has a place and time but a little too much and you sound like Christina Aguilera. The delivery was good though, like it felt like the lyrics clearly meant something to the singer which does not always come out in a performance.

A fine set of piano ballads, but, like many, found the vocal performance too annoying to endure for very long. Had to listen piecemeal, which undermined both the effectiveness of the album and pretty much any memory I have of it as a cohesive work. And frankly I have no desire to revisit.

So much vibrato. The songs themselves are fine but largely unremarkable piano-based numbers, but the vocals really do distract from that to a detrimental extent.

A wonderful album full of beautifully written songs. 'Hope There's Someone' with its thrilling climax, 'For Today I Am a Boy' and 'Fistful of Love' are the highlights, but all of the tracks are at the very least decent.

A frustrating listen and difficult album to rate. The soulful, piano-based music was genuinely beautiful, with gorgeous melodies and orchestral touches. The writing was really strong too, particularly on standout tracks ‘Hope There’s Someone’, ‘You Are My Sister’, and ‘Fistful of Love’. But then there’s the vocals… Given how clearly personal and heartfelt this album is, it seems almost churlish to say, but as with Scott Walker there’s something about this quavering vibrato I find almost intolerable at points. It’s irritating to the point of significantly detracting from my enjoyment. Unfortunately, it means I can’t go higher than 3 stars.

Vocals were impressive.

Genuinely surprised. This is very good.

Vokalonani på sitt verste. Bare irriterende å høre på.

It’s cool to hear some music by trans people. Writing is beautiful, but ummm, the….the voice. It’s a problem.

Thoughtful intriguing lyrics. Good harmony vocals. Some good songs here.

I Am a Bird Now by Antony and the Johnsons is a difficult one for me. There’s no doubting how deeply personal this album is, and the lyrics are incredibly powerful at times, but I just really struggle with the vocals. The voice is so distinctive and dramatic, but unfortunately it does absolutely nothing for me. I can remember this album coming out and how much the music press loved it. I didn’t really understand the fuss then and, more than 20 years later, I’m afraid not much has changed. For long periods I simply found it boring. That sounds harsh, because there are definitely things I can appreciate. It’s completely original, full of emotion and drama, and the bare arrangements work really well in places. There’s a vulnerability to the whole album that makes it feel different from almost anything else. I can understand why this means so much to some people, but enjoying an album and appreciating what it’s trying to do are two different things. I can appreciate I Am a Bird Now, but I don’t particularly want to listen to it again. Favourite track: “My Lady Story” was quite nice and probably the track I enjoyed most. Least favourite track: Nothing was particularly horrible, but too much of the album was just too slow and dull for me. Album artwork: Cool album cover. Simple, striking and memorable.

3.5

For me, the real centre of 𝘐 𝘈𝘮 𝘢 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥 𝘕𝘰𝘸 is Anohni’s voice rather than the band around her. The arrangements are tasteful and often beautiful, but they can also feel a little too cautious. I sometimes wish the musicians would take more chances instead of staying so firmly in the background. Anohni, on the other hand, is impossible to ignore. That trembling, fragile delivery gives even the simplest line enormous emotional weight, and I find myself listening closely to every small shift in her voice. The band could give me more, but Anohni gives me more than enough reason to keep listening.

it's a beautiful album. a distinct voice. wonderful arrangements.

Nalo

Something so raw and emotional about it, love it

We all grow and change over time but these songs capture a specific moment that is immutable. 5 keepers in 10 (50%).

Well this was a pleasant surprise. I’d heard the odd track by Antony and the Johnsons, so the sound of her voice was already familiar, but I’d never heard this album. I initially thought it wasn’t for me, but through the course of the album the special tenderness revealed itself to me. By the end of the album I had to listen again to recapture the feeling again. I can hear lots of other music in this: Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, Talk Talk, but the character of the music is entirely its own world. I’ll be listening again I’m sure. 5/5.

How in the world did this piece of crap make the list? Woke pressure evidently

Surprisingly good, soft and beautiful

This singing style is not for me. I find it grating.

This was so intensely beautiful and I knew nothing about this album, exactly what this challenge is for

самобытный и очень театральный альбом, который сразу выделяется своим камерным звучанием, необычной вокальной манерой Энтони и сильной эмоциональной выразительностью. В нём есть собственный характер и цельная атмосфера, благодаря которым он воспринимается не как очередной арт-поп-альбом, а как совершенно отдельное музыкальное высказывание.

He really did feel like a bird with all this cooing didn't he When I first heard of Anony I was like haha funny name gotta hear what the music's like. It was awful. This album wasn't awful but still was boring

boring but not bad very very very veeeery low 3 but it wasn't a 2

Really interesting listen, highly unlikely I'll listen again though

Antony has a completely unique voice, and I love it, but on these quiet dour songs, it just does nothing for me. 3/5

That voice.

Kinda terrible, the dude singing sounds like Tiny Tim. Can’t get past that, even if the rest of it’s ok

The songs were lovely but the vibrato was a LOT.

Finally found something that sounds worse than the white-guy-with-a-guitar genre; Trembling-Brit-With-a-Piano. This was fucking awful

Only Johnson on the list should be Hobo

I fell asleep within 3 songs

3.5/10

A beautiful and vulnerable album. And their voice is so rich and able to endow meaning. It was nice to hear Rufus Wainwright on here.

Musically this is spectacular, vocally overpowered though Playlist add: "Spiralling"

Обычно, оценивая музыкальное произведение, или скорее альбом. Я стараюсь руководствоваться несколькими вещами: 1. Концептуально, это интересно? (и не менее главный вопрос, интересно ли для меня?) 2. Мне нравится какими средствми это достигнуто? (Вокал, стили, аранжировки) Штука в том, что на каждый из двух этих вопросов, порой нельзя ответить однозначными да, ведь где-то может не сильно нравится вокал, но нравится как это звучит вкупе. Где-то может нравятся поднимаемые темы и концепции (плюс понимание важности в контексте эпохи) но не нравится как исполнено. Здесь на оба вопроса ответ - однозначное нет. Мне не интересно то, о чем здесь поется и мне это не откликается. Метания и переживания на транс-тематику меня совершенно не интересует. А разунывный инструментал с не нравящимся голосом добивает всё остальное. P.S: ладно, на fistful of love нам дали кусочек балдежной неплохой музыки, подниму оценку до двух пожалуй.

Great voice, I need to come back to this

Unremarkable

I listened to this album a number of times as I found it hard to get my head around it and decide whether I liked it or not. Will give it a mid-way rating but there are clearly elements of it that I like

The vibrato is a lot. But the music is beautiful and cinematic and theatrical. Surprisingly good.

The vibrato was insane but I still liked this - the dramatic strings! Moody lyrics! Piano! Fabulous.

Life is bad enough by itself, there is no need for this crap. 1 star or F+.

No thanks

A curio that alternates between moving and annoying, all centered around the multi-octave warbling vibrato of Antony.

There is some beautiful music in this album (can't go wrong collaborating with Rufus Wainwright, for example), and some that is a bit overwrought. It is good, overall.

Haunting and gorgeous. Such a strong sense of yearning and pathos. Not really a cheerful listen but still ultimately still uplifting. Feels like we've been privileged to some deeply personal insight. Really soulful, really good.

I thought it was very pretty.

🕯️🦅🕊️🖤🪶

so good

Strangely captivating, sometimes haunting mixture of chamber/avant-pop, soul, electronica and art pop. The longer I listened, the more I enjoyed it. As soon as the first listen through was completed, I went right back to the beginning. Some reminders in certain songs of neo-prog. bands (Marillion, Spock's Beard, Aisles) when they have done concept albums and included piano or chamber ensembles for the quieter parts (songs) of the concept (story). Quite a surprise that I am enjoying this record as much as I am..... On my 3rd consecutive spin as I write this.

Wow, unique voice.

Day977 - theater pop. it’s so over the top that its pretty good

A couple of decent songs but mostly a bit of a whinge

Just not a fan of the singing style

Started off thinking “this is lovely, but not for me.” Ended thinking “that was beautiful.”

Listened before?: nope. i believe i've heard a track from a solo album from lead singer (ANOHNI) some years ago, but i know very little about what kind of music she or her group makes Hope There's Someone - 5/5 My Lady Story - 4/5 For Today I Am a Bouy - 3/5 Man Is the Baby - 4/5 You Are My Sister - 3/5 What Can I Do? - 4/5 Fistfull of Love - 5/5 Spiralling - 4/5 Free at Last - no rating Bird Gerhl - 4/5 Average score: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ i was worried i wouldn't like this based on the reviews i saw here, but it's honestly not bad at all. kinda nice honestly. i can see how someone might be put off by the vibrato of the lead vocalist, but it didn't really bother me at all. i suppose this type of vocal style is an acquired taste this wasn't my new favorite album or anything, but i thought it was interesting and unique. i certainly wouldn't have thought of this album as something i HAD to listen to once, but i'm glad i gave it a listen nonetheless

In de 18e eeuw had je het fenomeen castraat: kleine jochies werden euh, 'geholpen', waarna deze eunuchen hun hoge stem behielden en hoge ogen konden gooien in de Italiaanse opera. Hebben we hier een hedendaags equivalent te pakken? Ja dus, lees ik op Wikipedia. Ach, het is wel aardige jazz met samenzang, en aparte stemmen hebben we wel vaker gehad (Nina Simone, anyone?). Helaas wordt het nergens echt boeiend, en moeten we ook nog het gekras van Rufus Wainwright aanhoren. Dus we luisteren het uit en gaan weer verder naar de volgende plaat.

Bij de eerste zin was ik eigenlijk al klaar. Maar eigenlijk valt de klank van de zang na dit nummer ook wel mee. Of ik raakte er aan gewend. Waar ik niet aan gewend raak is de trilling in de stem. Bijvoorbeeld in het woke (avant la lettre) For today I am a boy en het opvolgende Man is the baby. Uiteindelijk kan ik er niet omheen dat dit goed in elkaar zit. Maar poeh, wat is dit saai.

De hoes vind ik al gelijk vermoeiend ogen, maar op het moment dat ze/het begint te zingen weet ik al wat voor vlees we in de kuip hebben. Sorry, zonder anti-woke te willen zijn ("dat bepaal jij niet!"), maar dit is niet mijn kopje thee. Het is allemaal heel erg theatraal gezongen, een soort klaagzang. Kate Bush en Sam Smith komen in me op. Het zegt ook al genoeg dat de collega's die hieraan mee hebben gewerkt, Devendra Barnhart, Boy George en Rufus Wainwright zijn. Al kon ik het album van die eerste nog wel waarderen. Maar ome Rufus is natuurlijk een beruchte doorn in het oor. Dit stevent vanaf de eerste tonen af op een laag cijfer. Het is gewoon niet mijn smaak muziek. Chamber pop is voor mij vaak veel teveel aanstelleritis. Al moet ik wel toegeven, dat er heus wel kwaliteit in zit. Het zit ergens tussen de 2 en de 3 in. Aangezien ik dit nooit uit mezelf op zou zetten, rond ik dit naar beneden af.

Lindo estilo para 1 o 2 rolas. Bueno que es corto

Rubbish

Good

Very interesting, unusual vocal style. I think it’s called vibrato. I thought a whole album of that would start to annoy me, but no. I really liked the music overall.