How About I Be Me [Import]

There will be those devoted Sinéad O'Connor fans who purchase this cd because of their love for the artist. Some may have liked some of Sinead's work but haven't followed her may read online reviews and wonder if all of the lavish write ups are nothing more than undue hype and praise. I assure you, the lavish write ups are right on target.

I give this cd a five star rating because it really is that good. You know the kind of cd that you just want to keep playing over and over again. Well, for me that's a rare thing anymore. Too often these days, cd's are filled with a few good songs and the rest is mediocre filler. I can honestly say, there is nothing mediocre or filler on this entire cd. Each and every song is top notch quality.

There is truly a fire and passion on this cd. Sinead is really singing from the heart. Lyrically, it's an odd twist of playful sorts at times but that keeps light what is meant to be kept light. When she's digging deep, you really feel it.

The highlights for me would have to be 4th and Vine (hard to sit still for that song, great way to start off a disc), Reason With Me, Old Lady, The Wolf is Getting Married and Queen of Denmark. These songs easily match in quality with the great songs she's already made her mark with in the past 25 years. The songs all blend nicely and create a remarkable a balance that by the last song, you just want to put track 1 on and listen to the disc all over again. Yes, it's THAT good!

I wish the disc was a bit longer but had it been, there may have been unwanted filler to distract from the brilliance that lies within these 10 songs. Hands down my most favorite listening pleasure in a very long time. Though it perhpas feels like a cd she would have released after 'I Do Not Want..', it sounds as fresh and modern as anything else being released by her younger peers. Timeless indeed.

So, Sinéad fan new or old, or just searching for some addictive new music - you will most certainly not be disappointed. Cheers to Sinéad and her new release.

There aren't many singers who can open a song with "I wanted to change the world, but I could not even change my underwear..." and then a few minutes later - stop your giggling in its tracks by moving you to tears. But then Sinead O'Connor has always been impossibly special - and at times - a complete space cadet.

Newly signed to One Little Indian Records - 2012's "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" is a hugely accomplished record - and more importantly - it's a moving one.

The opening number is catchy enough - a clever ditty on marriage called "4th And Vine" (and a potential single), but the haunting "Reason With Me" is different. It's beautiful and its message about knowing that you need to seek help is incredibly moving (lyrics from it title this review). "Old Lady" grows on you like mad - an upbeat winner - as does "Take Off Your Shoes" with its religion and reverence. "Back Where You Belong" is properly great - a gorgeous melodious vocal with a drum rhythm that feels like a march towards something spiritual. It's followed by the joyful single "The Wolf Is Getting Married" (recently aired with such confidence on The Graham Norton Show on UK TV to a rapturous audience response). The witty and angry "Queen Of Denmark" (a John Grant cover from his album of the same name) has superlative lyrics (mentioned above) and is a blindingly good interpretation. It's followed by a powerhouse of hurt and longing called "Very Far From Home" where she pines with a stunning emotiveness "I long for you...see you in my dreams..." The last two tracks "I Had A Baby" and "V.I.P." suffer a little from being too preachy, but are powerful stuff nonetheless.

To sum up - like John Martyn, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Kate Bush and so many other great songwriters with brains and heart and the courage to wear their world on their sleeve for all of us to see - there is 'always' magic in their latest offering - that track that simply floors you - touches your soul even...

Well folks - Sinead O'Connor is back with an album chock full of them - and I'll openly admit that many of them left me in tears of admiration. "How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?" is a bit of a blinder frankly.

Way to go you gorgeous woman...

Sinead - Stop "tweeting" & be heard through your songs - it makes so much more sense!!
This album is personal, moving, articulate, joyous, painful and profound.
It made me dance and cry but above all it reminds me of the emotional intelligence that this woman has when she expresses herself in song - it's a jewel!