Antony and the Johnsons: Swanlight (Incl full-length CD Swanlight) [ハードカバー]

So with albums releases lately everything comes in a special edition, collectors edition, limited editon. Some of these editions ranging from a couple of dollars more than the standard edition to skyrocketing past what seems reasonable. This Antony and the Johnsons set is reasonably priced for what you get. For around $35.00 (some of these Amazon prices are quite lower) you get a nice hardcover book, about ten inches in length and very thick, in a slipcase. The book is 144 pages in length. When you unwrap the slipcase it is in a nice transparent book cover with the Antony and the Johnsons logo and a sticker on the back that states "The debut collection of visual art by Antony of Antony and the Johnsons which includes his latest full-length CD, Swanlights." I am not an art critic and simply will not do this artist a diservice to even attempt to rave or critisize the art in the book. But, on his website there is a nice interview with him that showcases images and the mindset of the artist, that are excellent examples of the type of art you will find in this book. If you have purchaed his CD releases over the years some of the images from the previous 'CD art' are included along with handwritten poems and one or two short essays. For the price you pay for this item, I feel it is a gift from the artist to the fan or completist. There are two setbacks though, from a design perspective the CD is tucked into a non-detachable slipcase in the back of the book. So you may have to bust out a blank jewel case or simply lug around the nice book and experience it. I'm writing this review because I wanted to read one prior to purchasing this and there wasn't one available. As far as the music is concerned. It is beautiful kind of sounds like a snowy day and I live in Texas:) The music of Antony has changed over the years. I loved the dark humour and elegant misery of the first self titled album album and the duets and mood of the I am a Bird now album. Honestly, I thought "The Crying Light" album was a little disappointing. Upon repeated listens and in anticipation of the new release I enjoyed it a little more. This CD 'Swanlights' musically seems to be along the same lines as "The Crying Light" but, I am enjoying it more than I enjoyed "The Crying Light." The single "Thank you for your love" is an enigma to the CD because it sounds similar to "Fistful of Love" from I Am A Bird Now and with that being said is easily the poppiest song on the album. Sadly, the rest of the CD fails to deliver anything in that musical vein. There is a beautiful song on the CD called 'The Great Wide Ocean' that needs to be heard in full, one of his finest. The "Thank you for your love" E.P is nice too because it has an interesting cover of an overplayed song "Imagine" by John Lennon. Antony really writes his signiture all over this AM/FM classic with some strange machine noise in the background. All in all the album 'Swanlights' is not my favorite of his musical catalog (since it falls along the same lines of "The Crying Light") but, it is gorgeous in it's own way. He seems to have put his dark tinged humourous lyrics aside for the time being and has a more organic style to his poetry. Like I said it's like The Crying Light Part 2. BUYER and BJORK FANS BEWARE though, the CD included is the full length Swanlights MINUS one song. Absent is his duet with Bjork "Fletta." I had given this package a five star rating initially but, reduced it by one star due to the lack of this song. Being a huge Bjork fan, I am very disappointed. Perhaps it may have been his artistic vision for the CD/Art Book combo to include the original vision of "Swanlights" without the Bjork duet (that is the only way I can justify that decision) The "Fletta" song is not phenomenual but, would have been nice to have. Hope this review helps somebody comtemplating buying the CD edition or Hardcover book. It was almost perfect but, that one missing track takes away from the full experience.

As a follower of the great Antony and the Johnsons, i was ecstatic once i recieved news of his upcoming album "Swanlights". After being fascinated by "The Crying Light" and the majority of his previous work (I myself am not a much of a fan of "I Am A Bird Now") i gladly purchased the album. To my suprise, i was greeted by beauty in it's best way. Here is my song to song review of the album:

Everything is New- The first 3 words of the album, yet it seems as though within the 3 there were 50,000 million unspoken words. It sets the unbelievable mood of the album...beautiful, tender, carismatic, heavenly.

The Great White Ocean- A song dedicated to mother earth. This is my least favorite.

Ghost- One of the highlights of the album. "This is your day"

I'm In Love- A different approach for Antony, yet doesn't fail to hit the button. "Gunna kiss you like a Hummingbird"

Violetta- A short yet sweet instrumental.

Swanlights- The difference in Antony. A dark tune, with raspy yet gentile vocals.

The Spirit Was Gone- A ballad a la Antony. Beautiful yet simple.

Thank You For Your Love- A 2010 "Fistful Of Love", with a catchier tune and and even better meaning. The video is pretty interesting as well.

Fletta Ft. Bjork- #1 HIGHLIGHT OF THE ALBUM. AMAZING, BREATHTAKING, ASTONISHING, BEAUTIFUL, SIMPLE, DARK...it can grasp your very existence and move your very soul.

Salt, Silver and Oxygen- #2 HIGHLIGHT OF THE ALBUM, AND ANTONY'S MOST DARING LYRICS YET. This is a diamond that does not need polishing. "Dancing with his casket christ becomes wife. the easy dust is dancing too, it splits the waterside in two"

Christina's Farm- Antony's most darkest song yet. It's amazing how this man can move hearts like playing cards. A wonderful way to end an even better album.

I highly recommend this album to all those who truly love music. While "The Crying Light" was darkness, this album is Antony and The Johnsons light. (One must not avoid speaking of the Johnsons, who once again demonstrate their supreme abilites. Antony would not be who he is without them) Thank you Antony for this album.

An amazing book of surprising collages and wonderful design by a great talent in the arts.... Fantastic music enclosed and beautiful images leap out of the pages...Totally inspiring