Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Artpop/Pop | Heft: Jahrgang 2012, eclipsed Nr. 139 / 4-2012 | VÖ-Jahr: 2012 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: One Little Indian | Autor: ST
Shaved, roe-eyed, gull-eyed - it is this soundtracked image of Sinéad O'Connor that has preserved the public after "Nothing Compares 2 U". The Irishwoman is extremely changeable (what her critics interpret as "unpredictable"). Already their second album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got", which dropped that world hit in 1990, had little to do with the rough debut. After that she made jazz, Irish folklore, reggae - what she just wanted. But now she has again delivered a recording typical for her in so far as it reminds stylistically of her strongest records "Universal Mother" and "I Do Not Want". That "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" has become such a successful work is surprising. Especially because O'Connor has had an unusually turbulent year, even by her standards, including divorce, bizarre Twitter activities, public dating, marriage, separation and attempted suicide. The new work gives no indication of any of this. It's a positive, powerful album with some of the best songs she's written in years (producer: John Reynolds). And once again it offers a singing performance that leaves you unbelieving. It's O'Connor's vocal power that, for example, prevents an emotional title like "Back Where You Belong" from slipping into kitschy, and even turns it into a highlight. But, as I said, she doesn't have to rely on that alone: Highlights like "Reason With Me", "Take Off Your Shoes" or the John Grant track "Queen Of Denmark" even a Britney Spears could not sink. V.I.P., however, would have broken it. Here the sheer beauty of this voice stands before the listener and reminds him that Sinéad O'Connor is Europe's greatest pop singer.
Top Track: Take Off Your Shoes
