The Washington Post
April 1, 1988, Friday, Final Edition

O'Connor Moves Light Along
By Mark Jenkins


   IF BONO were Bona, U2 might sound something like Sinead O'Connor, the
chrome-dome Irish singer whose current single, "Mandinka," marries the
propulsive and the ethereal in the now-familiar Celtic-rock manner.

   Her confidently self-produced debut album "The Lion and the Cobra" is a
lively, distinctive neo-folk-rock effort flavored by funk -- "I Want Your (Hands
on Me)" -- and synth-pop.  O'Connor also wanders into arty Kate Bush/Jane
Siberry turf on duets with herself such as "Jackie" and "Never Get Old," and at
times like these, the music can get a little vaporous.

   O'Connor, who's been touring with her infant child and ex-Smiths Andy Rourke
and Mike Joyce, is no drawing-room poetess, though: It's her own electric guitar
playing that gives many of the tracks their winning muscularity.