Antony & the Johnsons
I Am a Bird Now, 2005
#bestalbumsofthedecade00s
The downtown art scene of late 20th century New York left such an impression on the city, it was hard to imagine any artist in the 2000's could touch on it without sounding like a nostalgia act. But Antony Hegarty confronted that gender-blurring heritage— think Andy Warhol's Factory, Lou Reed's 1970s androgyny, the 80s cabaret scene— to create something both reverent and new. Even more daringly, he opened with a showstopper, the devastating "Hope There's Someone". But the rest of the album answers that call, exploring complex issues of identity, mortality, and companionship with the guiding light of simple emotion. Antony's performance-art pedigree gave his history lesson credibility, attracting contributions from icons like Reed and Boy George. But his breathtaking voice and laser-like vision transcend time and place. Every sentiment on I Am a Bird Now comes through loud and clear— even if you know nothing about New York. —Marc Masters
