Review: Sinead O’Connor – I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss

Spending a few hours listening to Sinead O’Connor’s tenth album release I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss really calls into question this whole media debate about what it means to be bossy, the boss and female. Apparently this concept of being the boss as a woman, young or mature, is something that O’Connor has struggled to represent all of her career. Now at the age of 47, Sinead O’Connor has a history of standing up for the rights of women, children, and most recently, the mentally challenged. She is also known to speak out against war and the social ills of organized religion. For this new album much hasn’t changed. However, many of the lyrics describe the essence of love and womanhood, fighting for the ability to experience the range of romantic love and vulnerability, taking control, relinquishing that same control, and dreaming of tender moments between lovers. In many ways it is the emotional opposite of what some might think it means to be a boss because much of the album constructs the image of a woman going through the tough and tender moments of domestic partnership.

The opening song, “How About I Be Me”, revisiting the title of her ninth album release, feels like a defensive plea to the judgmental world to just let the singer exist as she wishes within her pursuits of love and happiness. “Dense Water Deeper Down”, “Kisses Like Mine” and “Your Green Jacket” are interesting if only for the fact that as a mature woman she sings about the type of yearning that a youngster with the burden of infatuated love would have for the object of her affection. “The Vishnu Room”, originally intended to be the title of the album, is a short but moving piece with a deep, trancelike devotion represented and has a tinge of world beat vibe along with “James Brown” which features Seun Kuti, son of the legendary Fela Kuti and leader of his band Egypt 80, on alto sax. The rocky (and rock) side of relationship life is shown through songs like “The Voice of My Doctor” and “Harbour”.

One of the most poignantly unassuming tracks on the album is “8 Good Reasons”, a simple song reflecting on the reality of suicidal thoughts and the decision to choose to live. It’s rare that a song has the potential to rally individuals struggling with depression or mental instability, and encourage the many alternatives to the one permanent option being considered during the most trying of moments. Keeping in the vein of restoration and wholeness, “Take Me To Church” is a turn in another redemptive direction, but cleverly comments on the fact that many churches these days do more damage than good. Both tracks remind listeners that songs of living can mend the pains of life.

The album shows musical range with many of the compositions moving from pop rock and ballads to deep bluesy musings. Most notable of the blues tunes, “Little Story”, closes the album by oozing deep Delta ambience generated through electric and steel guitars, percussion and repetitive vocal delivery. Regarding the album’s cover art, it isn’t often that we see Sinead O’Connor channeling Madonna channeling Cher, but in this instance, the artist decided to transform into an unrecognizable version of herself for the sake of… shock value? Donning a black wig and dominatrix style dress in lieu of her trademark shaved head and less gender specific, humble attire she’s known for, one wonders if her embrace of the electric guitar and her coy glance in any way enhances or diminishes this idea of “I’m not bossy, I’m the boss”? Is being the boss deciding to femme-up your image as a youthful pop-rock artist pushing 50 because it’s time to drop a new album? Or is being the boss deciding that it’s totally fine to put on a stylish wig and sexy outfits and shake up the world’s idea of who you are by re-presenting yourself as an artist? Admittedly, O’Connor mentions that she decided to use the photo because she knew it would generate attention for the album, and likely contribute to press and sales. So, a publicity stunt it was, at the end of the day. And, as usual, what the boss says goes!

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is currently living a decade long bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. Many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss

Pop Magazine’s official rating for I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure