Word on the street is that the new album by my old friend / bitter balladeer / morose master Antony is actually more on the positive end of the rainbow. A change I don't have to be too afraid of. Yes, Antony does darkness better than most, but his falsetto wail could be just as effective in songs of praise.One of the additions that may have lead to an emotional shift is that the Johnsons, a small set of multi-instrumentalists focusing on bass registers, have employed a full classical chamber orchestra. This is apparent on album opener, "Everything Is New"- which has no other lyrical dimension than just to set up the feel.
And that orchestra is fairly dynamic and adds a film score like quality to the proceedings. But Antony's lyrics this time around seem to be even more oblique than usual. Having said that, this album has two of probably the most straightforward songs of Antony's career. "I'm In Love"- almost sounding R.E.M.-like with the Mike Mills organ underlying the effort. And the previously released single, "Thank You For Your Love", which could have been a cast off from Ray Lamontagne's horn-soaked days.
So other than a little less than half, it's not overly "happy". But the songs are not so easily defined and the dynamics of both Antony's vocals and the chamber orchestra are too confined. I would have expected Antony, and the Johnsons, to burst in the light with as much aplomb that they wallow in the darkness. (2.5 of 5 stars)
