In one of the stranger albums I’ve had a chance to preview, Antony and the Johnsons is oddly appealing and soothing once you get past the eeriness of it all. Wikipedia categorizes the group — which is really a solo act with an accompaniment — as chamber pop and dark cabaret. It certainly is dark. The Mercury Prize-winning act out of NYC is made up of six musicians, with Antony Hegarty as vocalist. His voice is surprisingly high-pitched and combined with the promotional art, reminds me of a Dracula musical. I know that may sound unappealing but give this album a listen and I promise you’ll be as impressed as I am with the beautiful music and production quality. The Crying Light drops next Tuesday. If you pre-order the album, you will get free access to the MP3 downloads. Pretty cool incentive if you ask me.