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'Crying Light' Focuses On Delicate But Strong Voice

ANTONY & THE JOHNSONS: THE CRYING LIGHT (SECRETLY CANADIAN) ***

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By CURTIS ROSS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 22, 2009

The photo of Candy Darling on her death bed that graced Antony & the Johnson's "I Am a Bird Now" conveyed the sense of quiet despair at the heart of the album. Antony Hegarty's voice conveyed weary sorrow, acceptance and, sometimes, redemption. If there was ever an album to hear in the darkest hours before dawn, it was "I Am a Bird Now."

"The Crying Light" creates a similar sonic atmosphere but Hegarty's attention now is focused beyond his lonely bedroom. It's Mother Earth lying ill on "The Crying Light" and Hegarty mourns, exalts and prays for her on 10 songs of rare, delicate beauty.

Delicate but not weak. As on "I Am a Bird Now," Hegarty takes on his - our - fears head-on.

"I'm only a child born upon a grave," Hegarty sings on "Kiss My Name," its midtempo 6/8 rhythm the closest the album comes to upbeat. But even as the pace approaches glacial, the Johnsons' piano-and-strings arrangements provide gentle, but insistent, propulsion.

The spotlight, of course, is on Hegarty's amazing voice. It may be neither - or both - male or female but it is resplendently human above all. Hegarty's violinlike tone conveys emotion in a way that's both profound and subtle.

Music this slow and sad almost inevitably descends into dreariness, but Hegarty's voice conveys a sense of ecstasy even through the most dire moments. Hegarty confronts the void but never gives in to it; his gentle voice masks a ferocious love of life.

Rather than stop the clock at the darkest hour, "The Crying Light" gathers the courage to face the dawn.

Download this: "Kiss My Name"

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