Antony & The Johnsons bring The Crying Light to Toronto

Jason RothernbergAlmost four years has passed since Antony & The Johnsons released their breakthrough album I Am A Bird Now, which would garner rave reviews from most quarters and ultimately go on to win the prestigious Mercury Prize. It’s a record that I’ve run hot and cold on over those years – sometimes Antony Hegarty’s quavering vibrato is the most heartbreaking thing I could imagine hearing, other times it just feels excessive and unnecessary. It probably depends on my own emotional state.

Though the Johnsons took an extended layoff, Hegarty himself was far from idle contributing to the Hercules & Love Affair record, appearing on Bjork’s last album and doing a fair bit of film and soundtrack work. His own project was brought back to the fore earlier this Fall, however, with the release of the Another World EP which offers an idea of what the next full-length, The Crying Light, will bring when it’s released on January 20. Though only a sampler, it sounds as if the broader, theatrical elements of Bird have been toned down somewhat for a leaner, more forceful effect. And for me, it works. The title track, featuring just Hegarty and a piano, is in my estimation the most poignant thing he’s ever put to tape.

Full tour dates in support of The Crying Light are still to be announced, but some are trickling out, one of which is a Toronto date at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre for February 17th. It’s an all-ages show, tickets are $35 and wil go on sale on Thursday at 10AM.

MP3: Antony & The Johnsons – “Another World”
Video: Antony & The Johnsons – “Another World”
MySpace: Antony & The Johnsons

Clash lists off the top ten post-Richey moments in Manic Street Preacher history.

Low have marked the festive season with the release of a Christmas 7″, and they’ve made a video for the A-side. Creepy? Yes.

Video: Low – “Santa’s Coming Over”

Pitchfork has details on the forthcoming benefit compilation for the Red Hot Organization in support of AIDS research. Curated by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, Dark Was The Night will feature contributions from… well, pretty much everyone. Click through for a the full list of who’s doing what with whom and on February 17, pick the album up in double-CD or triple-LP format.

And though everyone else involved has already announced it, I’m pleased to be part of the newly-unveiled MBV Music music blog network group, alongside such grizzled veterans of the form as Catbirdseat, Fluxblog, Largehearted Boy and Said The Gramophone. The exact nature of this endeavour is still a little hazy, even to me, but it’s going to be a little bit aggregator, a little bit original content, a little bit country, a little bit rock’n’roll. So yeah, it’s there, I’m still here, also sorta there, and if anything noteworthy happens with it, it’ll possibly happen here as well. Got that? No? Me neither.

And hell, it’s already paying dividends – via FluxTumblr… Scott Pilgrim Vs The Universe, aka the fifth volume in the Scott Pilgrim epic, will be out February 4! Le woot.