Comments so far

irish dave in sydney australia.
both albums amazing as each other! very unique and knocking on the door of my favourite album of all time 'grace'.

Donna, N.Ireland
One lonely night whilst in bed trying to sleep, I caught this voice emitting from my turned down tv. I took notice and turned it up. I couldn't believe my ears. I fell in love with this person with the most gorgeous voice I'd ever heard. By the way I am 50 years of age. Am I allowed to like music again? Ihad gone off it through the ninties because of having the children etc but my daughter has awakened my interest again through the internet. anyway, because this channel was on i was listening for something interesting. i sort of like interpol, kaisers(cute), franz ferdinand(wee ducks), yeah yeah yeahs are exhilarating but this has touched my heart. Are there traces of Bowie in this? I recognise some traits in common. I was a massive fan in the seventies. I don't usually do this sort of thing but this album moved me to tears.

carolann taylor
this is the first time I have heard something that made me pick my head up and take notice - just amazing just individual just special - thank you for realizin the need for something special and compeletely - thank god - differend

PEARL . FALKIRK
ANTHONY, YOU NEED TO GET OUT AND ABOUT.DONT KEEP YOUR MUSIC AND LYRICS A SECRET SPREAD IT TO THE MASSES. IT HAS TO BE HEARD. LISTEN TO THE CRAP IN THE CHARTS. THEY CALL THAT MUSIC?

Wendy, Driffield East yorkshire
Anthony & the Johnsons are my new religion!!!! Never before has music affected me in this way. played constantly in my car and in the home. ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS DARLINGS!! XXXXX

alison casey, ruislip, middlesex, london
stopped dead in my tracks when heard him on johnathon ross with boy george. had to get album bcoz of sister song, which i then sent to my sister!!! thought it would be one off song that i wud like on album, but to my surprise loved them all.

jose noronha porto portugal
antony has the perfect voice, i have all is music it has change the way i listen to music

Mo Leigh on Sea
Haunting , compelling, unutterably sad what a beautiful voice and wonderful harmonies . Completely original ..I have never heard or seen anything like this album and Anthony Heggarty ..I think he is wonderful. Can`t stop playing it but may have to go and slash wrists soon ..lol.

Alan, Epping, Essex
I heard a couple of Antony and the Johnsons tracks on Jool's Hollands show. It wasn't until I saw him playing live at the Mercury awards that I really appreciated his talent. He sang so heartfelt, with so much emotion it was very moving. It's great to see some originality and creativity being awarded in music. Great Voice, Great songs.

frank from leeds england
the most beutiful voice i have ever heard its so beutifully depressing but in a good way real thinkin music congrats to them

kim ...winchester
oh my god went to sleep with radio on woken up by this music,just made me want to cry brilliant not much has that effect on me amazing...

bobby loughton essex
wat a great voice, totally origanal sound, antony your a genious!

laura - perth
i love anthony!!!!

Maura Yelverton-Cohen, Rickmansworth, herts
I think it the nicest album I have heard for a long time. You are my sister is such a beautiful song

Stan - Hull
Cant turn it off :)

J.Bernhard Cessy France
I can't tell about the award because I don't know the other artists but according to what I heard this morning on France Inter (a French radio station) I think it was deserved, Antony has that quality of voice that gives you the shivers. It's so beautiful and rare at the same time!Bravo!! Josy.

Rachael, Trowbridge
My goodness, I heard your music for the first time on a free NME CD, I am totally hooked and think you are amazing! Thank you xxx

windsor, ontario, canada
I have not been able to listen to anything else since i bought the latest CD 10 days ago. Amazing emotion. Yes, he is a bird now. Where is going to fly to?

Simon , Bedford , England
First heard Antony perform on Johnathon Ross show when he did a duet with Boy George . Awesome and spine tingling all at the same time . A bit like Bryan Ferry in drag but mesmerising all the same . Definitely one to watch :~)

Dawn Cawthorn. Corwen, Denbighshire.
I have listened to this album and can honestly say that it is akin to an injured animal relenting his/her tale of life and death, including pain and predjudice.I will definitely go out and buy another album of theirs. This is thinking man's music at it's best!

Dave N.I
He is the weirdest person ive ever seen! horrible! he sounds like a dying elephant !

Bob london
i think that anthony is very strange. Is he really like this or is he just pklain weird?

Bangor N.I
S**t that is a voice, real talent shines through it reminds us looks arent everything

George Banwell New Brighton, MN US of A
I too big HEART Anthony & the Johnsons and thank big the Letterman show that brought him to us in the US. We promise to send you limeys a good band soon, but in the meantime keep sending yours to David Letterman. Thyunks.

michelle, london
anthony do you know you are an earth angel maybe you have been sent here to unite us all there arent many of us around anymore would love to speak to you love and light

LLanelli south wales
ive just heard the bbc concert with anthony johnson its blown my mind the best thing since grace by jeff buckley

Sonrisa, Truro, Cornwall.
just wowed by antony on 4 sessions, not many singers can stop me dead in my tracks and bring tears to my eyes,out to buy album asap cant wait to listen to him again, great stuff antony!

Cobi , Delft Holland.
Finally a reward for some real music. You can argue about taste , but not about pure quality. What a relief they are in this 'greedy R&B era' we're in at the moment !

Jasper Kan, North Tamborine, Australia
I also saw antony and his terrific band on david letterman's show and was truly and deeply mezmorised by Antony's voice and ability to pass over emotions that everyone feels but cannot word. This is what music is all about for me and should be about for everyone.

Karen Burke Rutherford NJ
I just saw Antony and the Johnsons on David Lettermen. Very strange looking but his voice caught my attention. I still can't figure him out but he did arouse my curiosity

David Thompson, Lincoln, England
what an amazing voice, my eyes welled up uncontrolably and and i felt i was floating a couple inches off the ground, amazing!

Steve Courboin, Antwerp, Belgium
I just came back from their concert in Brussels and I was blown away by both the singer and the band. It's nice to know that there are still people who make music with real passion.

Pam Garcia Franklin, KY, USA
I know we are somewhat behind here in America in getting info and/or hearing about bands such as this...But I just discovered them on Letterman the other night. I have a hankerin' for obscure artists and bands that dont get much if any airplay. I think these guys are great. If I was a music critic describing Anthony's unique and haunting voice, because it is so different, I would have to use some well known comparisons: A cross between Tiny Tim, Boy George & Robert Plant.I described it that way to my mom last night, I get on the computer looking for more info on the band today,come across your website and I see Boy George is a contributor on their album! I definately hope the CD is available in Bowling Green, KY USA

jim hutchison dundee scotland
I am a 46 year old man who has heard so much music in my life ,but this is very interesting indeed and truly original, this band deserves all the credit thats going there way, to compare him to brian ferry is a real shame he is so much better than that, any one who like this check out solo sylvian especially brilliant trees

paul frome somst
u2 kaisers muse etc etc i love them all but antony is so different cant stop listening other music on hold for a while saw him on jools holland show but couldnt remember his name after got a copy now cant stop playing it now, thanks jools holland ,wouldnt have known otherwise

Lori Cortright, Glendale, AZ
When I heard you, so beautifully, sing "You Are My Sister" on on The David Letterman Show last week, I felt my beloved, brother John, speaking to me, through you, and your music. John died December 15, 2004, from the long lingering,after effects, of the Vietnam War, those being, Agent Blue, PTSD and Hep C (from the contaminated, immunization needles used on the soldiers that served). All I can say is "thank you very, very much".

Kathy Saunders - Hastings-Victoria-Australia
I have listened to 'I am a Bird now' It is so sad. Is there some truth in that song? Would love to hear the story behind it. Any chance of that>

Timothy Lachlan, Sydney
Antony i don't know where to start. I am a young Australian boy who has no deep passion for music. I confess i have never purchased a cd in my life. Yours will undoubtedly be my first. Your voice captivates me and you fascinate me. I attempt to fathom your lyricks but lose myself. I am intrigued and can only hope for a tour down under.

Matt G. , Dayton, New Jersey Usa
Saw the performance on Letterman and was very moved. I also had a flashback too! I remember this odd singer in a prison movie called "Animal Factory" with Edward Furlong, Willem Defoe and Mickey Rourke. It must have been Antony singing on stage for the "boys" because his sound was unmistakeable.

Nilsa Caro, Yukon, Oklahoma. USA.
I had never heard of you before the night of October 18, 2005. You sang in the David Letterman show on CBS here in America. You woke me up Antony and the Johnsons'. You reminded me of Nina Simone, but I soon realized that you have your own sound in your own right... Bravo!

Dominick, Crowborough
Never heard of them before the award but what brilliance. Haven't heard anything this original since Kate Bush hit the scene.

Chris (m) Chesterfield. GB
stunning music, starts where lou reads berlin finished. thanks to a+t j for having the strength to build this album

annette
i had never heard of anthony and hte johnsons prior to the award, and was rooting for the kaiser chief or k.t. however i have been totally blown away by what i have heard of anthony's music. a welcome and very different addition to the music scene.

pixi from bristol
Antony is the most amazing and beautiful creature I have ever had the pleasure of listening too! I'm so glad he was born in England because that got him noticed here, with the mercury prize. I was only listening to him just a few months earlier, I was thrilled when he won. Simply divine xx

Jacqui, Cumbria
Absolutly beautiful, voice, music and everything. full of emotion. Im addicted, the best album in my collection, Oh! except for the other album :Anthony and the Johnsons, which is equally as good. If you read this Anthony, you more than deserve the award, original, unusual, haunting and brilliant. I'm listening as i write.

Michael, Loughborough, Leics
Yes the Kaiser Chiefs have popular appeal. However, they lack have one crucial flaw, a shocking lack of originality!! Antony Hegarty is that refreshing boot up the back side the british music industry needs,

tanisha plymouth
whats the song that he sang on mercury awards?

Darren Keeble, Ipswich, Suffolk
Anthony & the Johnsons are just amazing, before the mercury awards I had not heard of this band. Your music is excellent, your voice so emotionally haunting. "Hope there's someone" is my favourite track, its so moving.

David/Hockley
Because they won this prize, I have listened to them for the first and last time! Utter rubbish. At least the Kaiser Chiefs have some popular appeal

Paula - Rayleigh
cannot stop listening, his voice makes me stand still and just be -

Dawn Lambert /Morecambe Lancashire
He is an artist who will become one of the great artist of our time, his music makes you sit back and think of past times. there are hints of sparks, brian Ferry, blues and you can hear georges influence in there to name but a few i hope if you read this anthony please take it as a compliment you are a master of your art thank god there is someone in music industry who knows what music is your music should be put on canvas.

Marina, Las Vegas
Oh Heather, one day you and all the other Kaiser Chief groupies will grow up and start to appreciate good, original music. Well done Anthony you deseve it.

Paul/liverpool
Antony deserved to win totally,seems there still is some justice in this business after all,he deserves to be a star

woodsie, northampton, england
just reached 50, takes a lot to make me sit back in amazement,completely blown away by the man, the lyrics, the voice, where has he been hiding?

Mike, Liverpool
Thoroughly deserved winner - for a change!

plymouth
he is horrid...

david,portugal
anthony win the prize with his second cd, iám a bird now, lou reed and laurie anderson consider him the best band in the world, even the kc like the cd

nils, kiel/germany
well,it would have been a shame if the mercury prize05 went to the kaisers chiefs...but thank good, not all is music industry, hype and commercialising! some people here now start to moan about antony& the johnsons without even having heard a single track of them... it says all about these pretend "music lovers". it's a very good decision, because antony makes totally different, indeed shivering and relevant music not only for the moment, while the kaisers chiefs -hopefully- will be forgotton same time next year, because they are embarassingly shallow and the only act i really didn't unterstand being nominated for such an outstanding a-r-t-i-t-i-c award.

Kirsty, Maidstone, Kent.
Very pleased! I Am A Bird Now is fantastic, innovative and one of the best CDs in my collection. Well done Anthony!

Cindy Gomez, Lansing, MI 48910 USA
Antony And The Johnsons? I've never heard of them? Why don't I ever heard them on BBC 6 Music? I guess you might as well hand the award to somebody different. Remember when Pulp joked that it was a bad luck award and pointed at M People? Whatever happened to Pulp, previous winners as well? They were a great band who made fantastic music.

Matt, Abingdon
Antony who? The only artist shortlisted I'd not heard. It is 'bonkers'. We've had some great rock albums this year, and the prize has gone to some camp goth with bad hair!

Tim Bower, Portland USA
Antony and the Johnsons so thoroughly deserve this prize, and the bratty petulance of dime-a-dozen rock bands who've spent too much time listening to their parents' New Wave records is very disappointing. Even though I'm MUCH more likely to buy a KC album than an A + J album (though Go! Team is my fave), I can at least recognise songs of beauty, soul and indeed relevance. I Predict A Riot? Please. Me, I've never been in one.

Peter, Manchester
Thank God! Not everyone's cup of tea, but better this than the Kaiser Chief's overblown nursery rhymes

Heather Crimmins, Nottingham
Very disappointed! I really cannot bear to listen to the track they performed on the show - I had to leave the room! Prize belonged to the Kaisers in my opinion.