Theology

Sinead O'Connor

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 26, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 4, 2007
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Koch Records
• ASIN: B000P6R8KE
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #59,652 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Product Description
Extremely limited two disc (CD + NTSC/Region 0 DVD) release from the Irish singer/songwriter. The CD and DVD document the live debut of many of the songs featured on 2007's Theology, recorded in the intimate environs of The Sugar Club, in front of an invited audience of Sinead fans from around the world; and featuring Sinead and a stellar band of Irish musicians specially assembled for the evening. The DVD also includes an extended interview with Sinead. Both discs are presented in a lavish hardback outer case with a foil-blocked Theology logo. The booklet includes photographs from The Sugar Club concert in Dublin on November 8th, 2006, as well as additional portraits of Sinead by Kevin Abosch, Amelia Troubridge and Thomas Canet. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Stars... Two-fer album is ambitious and sprawling, March 3, 2008

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what i know, July 12, 2007

By	V. Gardner "happy bunny" (in a small hovel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Sinead's new album meets her goals...it gives me such a feeling of peace in this troubled world. I'm not the keenest on religiously-toned music even though i'm religious. Much of what is out there does not touch my heart. This album both touches my heart AND my soul. I feel so relaxed when I pop either disc into the player. I almost want to cry...out of sheer joy.

The spirituality is not in your face...and that's much of why it appeals to me so much. Her songs are gorgeous and so tender. Give it...and peace a chance.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars keep on surprising me!, July 19, 2007

By	edhead888 "edhead888" (jax IL) - See all my reviews

To read the reviews here, one would wonder if everyone was listening to the same album. I have to feel sorry for the people who have such trained ears that all they can hear are the negatives. I also have listened to her music since the mid 80's and can remeber being awe struck by her. I also long for an album that is more like her older albums, but this album, like all of her previous, finds it way to shine bright. I am not a reader of the bible nore a fan of that faith, but she has a way of capturing the meaning of faith without preaching. I can not stop singing the songs in my head or out loud in my car. I can not wait to hear these songs live and to feel her energy envelope the room again. I agree 100% with the reviewer that said this album commands your attention, it is not background music. This is one of her best albums.