release date: Jun. 3, 1997
format: cd
[album rate: 3 / 5] [2,92]
producer: John Reynolds
label: Chrysalis Records - nationality: Ireland
Tracklist: 1. "This Is to Mother You" - 2. "I Am Enough for Myself" - 3. "Petit Poulet" - 4. "4 My Love" - 5. "This Is a Rebel Song" - 6. "He Moved Through the Fair" (live)
EP release by Sinéad O'Connor following nearly 3 years after Universal Mother (Sep. 1994). O'Connor may have wanted the predecessor to add new dimensions to her public image but her engagement in various causes, her unmasked political position, and what may be seen as a confrontational nature didn't make the media focus on her music - it had become difficult not to refer to O'Connor's involvement in this or that, and her own willingness, you could say, to participate in TV shows and debates weren't doing her much good throughout the 90s. In early '96 O'Connor gave birth to a daughter, Brigidine Roisin, and nearly immediately O'Connor found herself engaged in a custody battle with the girl's father, Irish journalist John Waters. A process that first came to an end in '99. And once again, O'Connor's love life wasn't without major struggles. In fact, as of '99 it was reported that O'Connor had been hospitalised after attempting suicide.
The Gospel Oak ep thus comes out at a time of disarray and it continues much of the emotional angle she tuned in on with Universal Mother. There's something of a grounding sensation to it where she makes efforts in dwelling on what really matters. Many critics saw it as something more genuine than the predecessor and also with a strong revivalist tone to it. To me, that doesn't seep through, and I generally see it more like an epilogue to what she showed us with her '94 album. Thematically, I think these two releases are closely bonded with songs about motherhood, children, and about true love. Then, she also dedicates the album to "the people of Israel, Rwanda and Northern Ireland" and she has given the album a personalised Star of David containing an extra small dot / circle / star, or perhaps a fetus of sorts. This symbol first fronted the predecessor. I guess, she's really determined about her religious belief and just wants it to express her religious position as someone, who now shares faith with the jewish people and at the same time is someone who understands and respects the rastafari religion. Musically, this comes out as even more quiet and ambient-like than what she presented three years earlier but it has that same soothing sensation to it, as if really wanting to showcase the gentler embrasing and tolerant side. In any case, to me, it just becomes yet another naive expression to a mostly religious-driven mission that drives her music - through and through.
I find it difficult to evaluate this one properly. The thing is, I don't hear a lot of great songs that really appeal to me, and I think that's a good indicator to whether I enjoy something or not. What I do hear is O'Connor's mighty fine vocal singing about love and caring but throughout the album held on her Jewish-Christian-belief, which just soothes an over-the-top appraisal of some divine presence, which in the end makes this touching on unbearable to listen to. I know that's quite harsh, but ultimately, music always serves a purpose, and if one aspect becomes too dominant, then other intensions will be harder to hear and see, and therefore to salute. For my part, I really appreciate O'Connor's vocal but on this, the messaging becomes too apparent and detached from her role as the strong musician she rightfully is. Imo, the album is far from her two great first ones and it's just one of several that indicate what a troublesome life she leads. Unfortunately.
Gospel Oak is her final studio release on the Chrysalis mother label (most of her releases came out on Ensign but was distributed by Chrysalis), and they released the first compilation album So Far... The Best Of with O'Connor's music on Ensign / Chrysalis counting songs mostly taken from her two first studio albums but effectively from all of her career.
The Gospel Oak ep is not one of her best releases and not recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, 👉Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]
