Sinead O'Connor - Theology

The uncompromising Irish artist, spiritualist, and provocateur gives a twist to the critical truism that double albums would generally be stronger if edited into a single disc. With what she terms her "attempt to create a place of peace in a time of war," Sinéad O'Connor consciously risks charges of not merely padding but redundancy, as the two discs feature practically the same set of material recorded in different settings. The "Dublin Sessions" are more minimal and acoustic, and the "London Sessions" incorporate full-band arrangements including harp, strings, horns, and percussion. Finding dual inspiration in Jerusalem and Jamaica, the material proves all the more revelatory in the contrasting settings, as the minimalist approach underscores vocal intimacy while the band arrangements build to majestic intensity. The opening "Jeremiah (Something Beautiful)" ranks with O'Connor's loveliest music to date, with "Job (Watcher of Men)" among her most tormented. The cover(s) of Curtis Mayfield's "We Are People Who Are Darker than Blue" fits perfectly, though a misguided attempt at "I Don't Know How to Love Him" (from Jesus Christ Superstar, mercifully featured only on the second disc) proves that some musical miracles are beyond even Sinéad's power. The second disc sounds more like pop; the first disc sounds more like prayer. --Don McLeese Amazon.com

Absolutely amazing, faith-filled music!

For those who are looking for something more than the typically trite "christian" music, this will feed your need. Deeply spiritual, moving, and more "faith-filled" than all the syrupy crap I find at the christian book store. July 22, 2008

Hauntingly beautiful music

COuld only get this CD from Amazon. Not available in Aus. Hauntingly beautiful music - I love it. June 25, 2008

One Extra Star for Daring

Of course, Sinead has always been nothing if not daring. Still, a life journey that includes tearing up the Pope on SNL, "Black Boys on Mopeds" and comes round to "I Don't Know How to Love Him" and "Rivers of Babylon" here is a life journey of considerable interest. Interesting too that three of the most distinctive and stylistically unpredictable female singers of the last couple decades -- O'Connor, Michelle Shocked, and Rickie Lee Jones -- have each released a CD imbued with spirituality in the last year or two. All three have value, but are really erratic. On Theology, you definitely don't need both versions of all songs. As many have noted, the Dublin set is acoustic, the London includes a band, but is still not especially loud. I took both versions of Something Beautiful, because it is flat-out beautiful as the title promises, and Rivers of Babylon, because I'd probably like that song even if Jim Nabors sung it. My other downloads were If You Had a Vineyard and The Glory of Jah from Dublin and Out of the Depths, Dark Am I Yet Lonely, and (cheesy though it may be) I Don't Know How to Love Him from London. Others will make different choices, but if you like Sinead O'Connor, you will certainly find something. Even if you haven't previously been impressed there are things of interest here. Still, it will be a rare person who buys the whole CD, I think. March 11, 2008

3.5 Stars... Two-fer album is ambitious and sprawling

In 2005 Sinead O'Connor came roaring back (as if she really ever was gone!) with the outstanding all-out reggae album "Throw Down Your Arms", which was one of the best albums of the year for me. As it turns out, it was regretfully only a one-time diversion, as Sinead went on her merry way after that to the next project.

"Theology" (2 CDs, 22 tracks, 91 min.) essentially brings a two-fer album. On CD1 "Dublin Sessions" (11 tracks, 41 min.) Sinead O'Connor brings all of the songs in an intimate setting, just acoustic guitar and vocals. One might almost be tempted to say those are the demos from which CD2 would come, but that's doing injustice to the intimate songs of CD1. The best song for me on CD1 is "Rivers of Babylon", one of the few traditional songs (arranged by Sinead), and almost unrecognisably so, but very beautifully. I rate the first CD 4 stars. On CD2 "London Sessions" (11 tracks, 50 min.). the same songs (but in a slightly different running order) are brought with a full band, and some songs are better than others. I liked the very different sounding "We People Who Are Darker Than Blue" (with drum machine, no less), as well as "Whomsoever Dwells" with the long intsrumental intro. CD2 has an extra song, a truly dreadful cover of "I Don't Know How to Love Him", what was Sinead thinking on this one? I rate the second CD 3 stars.

In all, "Theology" is ambitious and sprawling (not unlike Sinead's earlier "She Who Dwells" double album), but there is no denying the beautiful voice that Sinead continues to showcase. From that angle, CD1 works better for me than CD2. I had the good fortune of catching Sinead on tour last Fall in Chicago in support of this album, and it being my first time seeing her live, I enjoyed it from start to finish. She played a number of songs from "Theology", but also a number of her classics including of course "Nothing Compares to U". An unforgettable evening of music! March 4, 2008

More than Wonderful

Sinead O'Connor's "Theology" is such a treasure. I've played it over and over, given it as gifts, used it for my own meditation and even arranged some of her selections for harp. She sings her reverent settings for (her own versions ) of the Old Testament psalms using her rich voice and two entirely different sets of accompaniment. The interviews shed light on the changes she has gone through--as well as giving us a wonderful insight into her sense of humor. February 7, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...