It’s quite nice now that Academy Award season is officially over and the hoopla can die down. Along with Valentine’s Day and the Super Bowl, February is now safely in the rearview mirror. Even Uggie (at left) seems relieved; as well he should be after “The Artist,” which he starred in, took home gold.
I’ve been enjoying two albums that came out recently. Have you heard the latest LP by Sinead O’Connor, “How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?”? Wow, she still seemingly has the voice and power of her former days. I’ve been a delinquent fan of her music and haven’t listened to much of it since her very first albums, “The Lion and the Cobra” (1987) and “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” (1989), which I must have played completely into the ground on my Sony Walkman back then. Though I also remember her “Universal Mother” (1994) album fondly with “Fire on Babylon” and a cover of Kurt Cobain’s “All Apologies.”
It’s good to see the Irish singer back, with an album that’s reminiscent of those remarkable early days. She was just 21 back during “The Lion and Cobra” and now she’s 45. Obviously much has been made of her life, struggles and outspoken statements over the years, which I can’t say I’ve followed closely. No doubt, she seems to bring a lot of it on herself but also at times receives a bad rap for following her heart, conscience and spirituality. Can’t blame her much for that. But one can dig the music on this recording without being born again or caring much about her personal life on the Twitter-sphere.
Some of the tracks on “How About I Be Me” are quite uplifting; she sounds happy; others are blunt with indignation. Favorite tracks on the album include: “The Wolf Is Getting Married,” “Reason With Me,” “4th and Vine,” “Old Lady” and “Queen of Denmark.” Check them out.
Perhaps on the flip side of that is an album I’ve been listening to by Canadian Kathleen Edwards, now 33, called “Voyageur.” Man, it’s smooth. It sounds a bit of a departure and more polished than her more country-roots-sounding albums “Failer” (1999) and “Back to Me” (2005). “Voyageur” is a journey through one troubled relationship; apparently Edwards began recording the album just months before her divorce from her musician-husband. She lays it down on the album, sounding open and vulnerable. The upbeat, opening track is especially good as she sings “I’m moving to America, moving to America, moving to America, It’s an Empty Threat.” Other favorite songs on “Voyageur” include “Mint,” “Change the Sheets” and “Chameleon/Comedian.” It’s an album that’s too good to miss.
