Interview
July 10

Handed by Kai Chai

SINEAD O'CONNOR
Faith and Courage (Atlantic)
While there are plenty of fierce declarations of
independence - the unrepentant single "No Man's
Woman," and the I-did-it-my-way punch of "Daddy I'm
Fine" - overall this is a record for dancing, for
swaying, for reflecting even. Not fighting. Sinead's
discovered the spirit within, and an inner calm is
discernible even the album's rockingest. Production
from the likes of Dave Stewart and Wyclef Jean brings
a wide range of sonic textures: reggae bounce, dub
echoes, fluttery Irish melodies from a low whistle.
But nothing compares to O'Connor's own voice, which
has never sounded freer or more glorious.
- Ray Rogers