The Plain Dealer
November 16, 1992 Monday, FINAL / WEST

SUBCULTURE CHAMELEON ON THE RISES

By JACQUELINE PALFY; ELYRIA WEST HIGH SCHOOL



   Sinead O'Connor, a native Dubliner, has been popular among the alternative
music subculture since her 1987 debut, "The Lion and the Cobra." This album
spawned such hits as "Troy" and "I Want Your (Hands on Me)."

   "The Lion and the Cobra" was fast, furious and raw. O'Connor's voice goes
from soft and delicate, to a wail of rage within seconds. Backed by orchestra
music or drum machines, O'Connor makes quite a splash.

   After three long years of silence, O'Connor resurfaced with "I Do Not Want
What I Haven't Got" in 1990. That album was quite a change of pace. The wails of
her previous album were replaced by pleading words, but in the tradition of "I
Want Your ..." there was the monotonous and rhythmic "I Am Stretched on Your
Grave."

   O'Connor hit the mainstream music scene with her cover of Prince's "Nothing
Compares 2 U." She omitted all of the drum machines and electronics, slowed the
song down, and flew to the top of the charts.

   This year, O'Connor released the single "My Special Child." This single was
dedicated to "everybody's children," and all of the royalties went to the
International Red Cross.

   In September, she released her third album, "am I not your girl?" This was
completely different from any previously recorded works by O'Connor. Instead of
thought-provoking lyrics and distinct voice, it contained 11 covers of classic
ballads.

   O'Connor's sultry voice brought to life such songs as Doris Day's "Secret
Love" and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" from the musical
"Evita." O'Connor covered works by Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. During a
recent MTV interview, when asked why she did this album, O'Connor said she "grew
up with these songs."

   Although she was at the top of the charts in 1990, it didn't guarantee her
place in the hearts of Americans. She was criticized for refusing to appear on
"Saturday Night Live" because she opposed the views of guest host Andrew Dice
Clay.

   But O'Connor's most recent attack was aimed at Catholics. On the Oct. 3
airing of "Saturday Night Live," O'Connor performed two songs off her album "am
I not your girl?" After her second set, O'Connor tore up a picture of the pope.
Catholics and non-Catholics alike went wild.

   This situation doesn't make sense. Americans continually fight for freedom of
speech and other constitutionally guaranteed rights. If American Nazis are
permitted to march, and Ku Klux Klan members allowed to hold rallies, why isn't
an Irish singer permitted to express her views on national television?

   Even though many Americans don't agree with her views, most would say that
everyone has a right to his or her opinion.