capsule reviews of miscellaneous titles by
SINEAD O'CONNOR

Sinead O'Connor
The Lion and the Cobra
Comments:  What a debut. Sinead O'Connor has opened the door for, more than anything, the angry women of rock. With this record, she stunned listeners with a ferocity and an eerie beauty that did almost as much as U2 to make Ireland one of rock's most essential sources. These fiery rants are clearly loaded with persona, if cryptic, storytelling. You'll think some Irish spirit, or perhaps a banshee, has materialized to conquer the world with a guitar, a microphone, and a voice that can grab your heart and make it rattle.
Outstanding tracks: "Jackie", "Mandinka", "Jerusalem", "Never Gets Old".
Jeffrey's Sum-Up: Impressive

Sinead O'Connor
I Do Not Want What I Have Not Got
Comments:  On the album "Cruel Inventions", Sam Phillips sings with honesty that drills a hole in Sinead O'Connor's egotistically ridiculous declarations of independence. Phillips sings, "If I said I don't want what I don't have... I'd be lying."
     Perhaps that's why, for all of the beauty of O'Connor's voice, the audacity of her claims, the fire of her anger and passion, and the gorgeous music concocted by her talented backing musicians, this album comes off as a bunch of defensive diatribes. O'Connor has always been a singer who thinks she has something to prove. And this record is a keeper because of the great sounds, great vocals, and admirable courage behind each and every song. Yeah, it's one that's great turned up loud. But what exactly is being said? The same thing O'Connor always seems to say: "I was wrong before, this time I've got the truth, and thus you're all fools for not being me."
     The title track is just that: an impossible claim of contentment and newfound satisfaction. She's a singer, yes, but not a poet. She "tells" instead of showing. And like the boy who cried wolf, Sinead who cried "I've found it! Perfect Peace!" began to lose credibility. For soon after this record came out, she began a series of complete philosophical makeovers, that would re-introduce her to us, asmong other things, a Catholic Church hater, a renegade Catholic priest, a lesbian, and hurrying down the aisle for another shot at marriage (with a man.) "Feel So Different" may be her only lasting claim... because she always "feels so different".
     It feels wrong, to be reviewing an album by mulling over the artist's personal scandals. But then again, that's what she chooses to sing about. So...
     In spite of all this: O'Connor will be remembered, deservedly so, for the stunningly stark performance of Prince's love song "Nothing Compares 2U". This was also a song that had a video to match its greatness: a steady shot of her face as something inside her breaks down, and the most spectacular tear slides down her face. It's as intimate as music video has ever been.
     The beatbox that powers "I Am Stretched On Your Grave" produces what may be the most contagiously danceable beat I've ever heard, which is joined by a vigorous Irish fiddle tune for an ecstatic finale. "The Last Day of Our Acquaintance" may be the meanest breakup-ultimatum ever recorded. After this record, who would dare ask this woman for a date? These love songs are brilliant inclusions, songs from lovers whose passion has pushed them to the point of lunacy... an appropos expression for a singer possessed of the same dangerous intensity.
Outstanding tracks: "I Am Stretched On Your Grave", "Jump in the River", "Nothing Compares 2 U", "The Last Day of Our Acquaintance"
Jeffrey's Sum-Up: Impressive

Sinead O'Connor
Am I Not Your Girl?
Comments:  Here, O'Connor confesses her love for big anthems from musicals and intimate jazz standards. She's got the voice for it, but apparently not the creativity to give anything revelatory to these songs. Just because she can sing with hushed restraint doesn't mean these are artful or subtle interpretations. "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered" she truly might be. "I Want To Be Loved By You" is a confession that has been clear on previous recordings. And "Don't Cry For Me Argentina"... uh.... Hmmm.  This might serve for her as a sort of "mix tape" of her favorite songs, but it doesn't do much for the songs themselves. Perhaps she should have instead released her own sampler, choosing her own favorite recordings of these songs to share with us.
     Still, the album does show she has fairly good tste in music. And the songs are indeed classics. She doesn't come close to spoiling them.
Jeffrey's Sum-Up: Flawed, but of some merit.

Sinead O'Connor
Universal Mother
Comments:  What a gorgeous surprise. O'Connor must truly "feel so different" this time out. She sounds closer to true contentment than ever, having found a quieter place for reflection and journal writing.
     "Universal Mother" is full of personal anecdotes of a kinder, gentler nature. There are gorgeous lullabies and love songs. There are sweet-spirited references to her daughter. And yes, there are a few fiery prophetic anthems, just so we know this is not an impostor. She also, in the end, has done what she can to make an icon of her own lovingness, compassion, and charity... something that always unfortunately sours her confessions with arrogance. Yet, without that arrogance, she might never have had the impetus to deliver these beauties in the first place.
     "A Perfect Indian" is, in my opinion, the most beautiful track of her career... tender, delicate, fragile, among the most beautiful love poems ever sung. She sees something of her own defiance in a child's rising to meet a playground bully's challenge in "Red Football"--"My head is not a football for you." It's like a cartoon summation of her whole career. "Fire On Babylon" stands as a warning of Biblical proportions that a nation's sins will not be forgotten. She's still ready to flaunt rather questionable opinions and understanding of historical fact in "Famine", where she asserts that the famous Irish potato famine "never happened". But for all of her usual soapbox fever, she has really turned a new page here. I hope that such lovely testimonies as "John, I Love You" signify that she truly is finding peace through love.
Outstanding tracks: "John, I Love You", "A Perfect Indian", "Fire on Babylon"
Jeffrey's Sum-Up: Excellent

Sinead O'Connor
Faith and Courage
Comments:The pulpit-pounding, "I was wrong before/Now I know Absolute Truth" Sinead O'Connor is back, a little worse for wear. She's cast off the peace and poetry of "Universal Mother" for religious zeal and dated, over-produced, made-for-radio pop music. Alas.
     O'Connor works with a team of producers here, which makes for a bumpy ride, a sorely uneven record. Dave Stewart, Adrian Sherwood, Wyclef Jean can't decide if they want to conquer the Top 40 or make a reggae record. "No Man's Woman" sounds like an attempt to sum up her lifelong trials of man-trouble into a hit single, and it is indeed catchy, the most spirited moment on the record. "When I Whisper U Something" carries on the U2-level fervor she discovered in a collaboration with those Dublin boys called "You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart", providing one of the few high points on the record.
     The rest sound like Sinead trying to cast off the past and re-invent herself, torn between the idea of an Irish diva dressed as Ziggy Marley, and a desire to compete with new pop stars like Natalie Imbruglia.
Outstanding tracks: "No Man's Woman", "When I Whisper You Something"
Jeffrey's Sum-Up: Worth hearing