Sinéad O'Connor

Item: Collaborations
Author: Mark Fisher

Collaborations

(2005)

Reviewed by Mark Fisher

Discogs YouTube

Label Capitol RecordsDecapolisAugust 2005

electronic pop rock

Chain smoking renegade Catholic priestess Sinead O'Connor has been stirring the pot for the better part of twenty years. Due to her controversial stances on such things as religion she is off relegated to the bizarre category and overlooked when it comes to considering important artists of the last twenty years. Collaborations is one of many reasons to consider her one of music's untouchable talents. Unfortunately this compilation comes on the heels of her 2002 retirement from music (actually her THIRD retirement).

This record is exactly what it says it is, a collection of collaborations with other artists that span her career. One of the first things you'll notice about this album is Sinead's obvious penchant for world dub and electronic music. Her love for the genre has surfaced more and more over the years and practically dominated the Faith & Courage album. On this album she collaborates with such genre heavyweights as Peter Gabriel, Jah Wobble, Massive Attack, Moby, and Asian Dub Foundation. Her work does step outside world and dub though with the inclusion of duets with artists like U2, The Edge, Aslan, The The, and Damien Dempsey though, so don't make the mistake of thinking that this record can be easily categorized.

While every song here is a winner "Blood of Eden" with Peter Gabriel is the most moving, with its stunning lyrics and Gabriel's amazing presence- this one could have easily been a Genesis song. While I tend to dislike most artists collaborations with U2, the trip hop-ish "I'm Not Your Baby" collaboration between O'Connor and the band is one of the coolest songs either has ever done. Lest we not forget the wonders of the mighty Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart and their collaboration "Visions of You."

If you can't tell yet, I love this album. While I like all of O'Connor's work, this is more intriguing than the average album because of the wide variety of positions her voice is put in. It really shows how strong and versatile her she is. I highly recommend this album to anyone looking for something unique and creative both musically and lyrically.

4/4