Amazon.co.uk Review
Faith And Courage, Sinead O'Connor's first album in six years, is a marked change in direction from the pared-down urban folk beats of 1994's
Universal Mother. For her Atlantic debut, she has embraced rock guitar, co-writing 13 tracks with a range of star producers including Dave Stewart, Brian Eno, Wyclef Jean and Adrian Sherwood. Featured here is "No Man's Woman", a strong declaration of intent ("I haven't travelled this far to become a man's woman") laced with raw guitar riffs and a subtle calypso flavour. Also distinctive is "Daddy I'm Fine", a loping, off-kilter look at being a rock star where O'Connor deadpans: "I wanna look good in my black leather boots.../I feel real hot and my make-up's nice/I'm gonna fuck every man in sight." In places, O'Connor's voice is swallowed up in a mix that's too FM-radio-friendly, but overall this is a resonant set of songs.
--Lucy O'Brien
CD Description
After spending most of the late '90s out of the spotlight (save for 1997's GOSPEL OAK EP), Sinead O'Connor's reemergence in 2000 on a new label coincides with the introspective nature of FAITH AND COURAGE, representing a new musical start for her. The wide array of producers here results in an ethereal mix of hip-hop beats, Celtic nuances and electronic shadings. FAITH represents O'Connor opening the door on her private life. The most biographical tracks are the anthemic "NoMan's Woman", the Dave Stewart-produced "Jealous" and "Daddy I'm Fine".
Elsewhere, O'Connor's love of contemporary R&B finds her combining ghetto-fabulous reggae beats (overseen by Destiny's Child producer Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs) and Irish pennywhistle on "The Lamb's Book of Life", a plea for religious tolerance. Producer Wyclef Jean also contributeshis two cents on the gentle soul of "Dancing Lessons", recruiting sister Blandinna Melky Jean to contribute vocals. O'Connor's pride in motherhood is displayed on "Emma's Song", agorgeous ode to her daughter featuring Brian Eno's delicatepiano playing. Wrapping things up is an ambient arrangementof the traditional "Kyrie Eleison" with a Rastafarian edge supplied by reggae legends Junior Delgado and Bim Sherman.