I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

This is a great album. A little slow in parts. But man could this woman sing. And write a song. Nothing Compares 2 U is great and deserving of being the best know of her songs but there is a lot of great stuff on this record. Poor Sinead O'Connor, she was dealt a terrible hand and the way the industry treated her is so sad. She should have been a much bigger name and known for her music more than (rightly) ripping up a picture of the pope on SNL. Like Yoko Ono, the way that everyone treated her should be seen as one of the times that everyone got it wrong. 4/5

Overall Rating - 3.90/5 (7.80/10). As it typical for Irish music, the melancholy is much of the point. And those are better songs.

Oooooook I get it, this is great. Black boys on mopeds and last day of our acquaintance, along with nothing compares, of course, the highlights.

I don’t remember ever listening to this album before despite buying The Lion and the Cobra! And yet it feels like it’s always been there.

Die Nothing Compares 2U Heulboje, na das kann nichts werden. Der Opener hat mich dann aber positiv überrascht. Der Rest dann doch leider wie erwartet.

favs: the emperors new clothes you cause so much sorrow rating 1/5

Synger fint, plus den ene banger der, albummet er dog ret meh, som helhed.

Hvis ikke Frk. O’Connor havde valgt at lave et cover af en ret ukendt Prince sang, så havde hendes aftryk på verdenen nok været meget begrænset.

The ending of the first song was so beautifully orchestral, it gave me chills and I thought, “this album is going to be something.” For most of the 90s, I honestly didn’t know that her big hit was a bit more of a one off and that the rest of this album is more about protest and social commentary. This album provided such a richer understanding of her as an artist.

I never cared for ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ but was otherwise going in blind. I quite liked the rest of it, especially ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ and ‘Black Boys On Mopeds’. Very melancholy but in all the right ways.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this, since I'm lukewarm on Nothing Compares 2 U. But man! This is a great album! The Emperor's New Clothes is exactly the kind of song I love - and oooh do I love it. Everything else really hit, too. Emotional and honest, at times brutal. Honestly made me appreciate Nothing Compares 2 U, too, in the context of the album. Sinead, you deserved better. So glad I got to listen to this.

This one was OK, it picked up in the middle of the album. Some of the songs, there is three or four of them. I really didn’t care for. Two or three stars.

Her story as an artist is very interesting. There are a few things here and there that sound interesting, but it mostly just sounds like a lot of other pop albums.

O'Connor's appearance on SNL was punk AF! Nine years after she was basically ostracized for calling attention to the sexual abuse scandals and the coverups thereof perpetrated by the Catholic church for years, the very Pope whose photo she had ripped up came out and said, "Uh, yeah. That stuff actually did happen." By then, unfortunately, the damage to her reputation, career and overall popularity had already been done. It's a shame, too, because she was a massive talent, and this album is absolutely brilliant. My only complaint would be about the flow and harsh tone shifts between tracks. A somber and heavy song is often followed by an upbeat pop tune, and it's a bit jarring and too mood-swingy. For that reason alone, it misses out on being a perfect 5 for me.

Surprised by how many super songs on here and nice track list.

Stripped down songs felt brave and some were akin to show gaze before it was even a thing. Up and down, it's good but not outstanding

Some very bland songs, some very beautiful ones. It was a nice mixture, but there weren't any that particularly stood out to me. Actually that's a lie, Nothing Compares 2 U is very much the standout track on this album. Her voice is gorgeous though, really spectacular vocals. I also enjoyed the change of tempo and tone with The Emperor's New Clothes, it felt very 90s. It honestly reminds me of Alanis Morissette. Anyway, I simultaneously enjoyed and tolerated this, sometimes it felt a bit scratchy and grating.

The cultural conversation around this record has always been dominated by "Nothing Compares 2 U" — Prince's song, Sinéad's performance, the shaved head and the single tear doing as much work as the vocal itself. That performance is genuinely one of the most emotionally direct moments in pop music history, and it earns every bit of the attention it gets. The honest surprise is how much the rest of the record delivers in ways the single's shadow obscures. The diversity is real and unexpected — cool beats and grooves sitting alongside a cappella pieces, acoustic folk, and orchestral pop in a sequence that holds together as a unified emotional journey rather than a collection of styles. The opening a cappella "Feel So Different" establishes a tone of vulnerability and spiritual searching that the record sustains throughout, and the rhythmic moments that surface along the way give the whole thing a range that pure folk-vocal records don't attempt. O'Connor's voice is the instrument that makes all of it work — raw, precise, capable of going from whisper to full power within the same phrase without losing control. The emotional directness is total throughout, which is either overwhelming or exactly what you needed depending on the day. A four that the whole record earns rather than just the single — which is the more meaningful achievement given how completely "Nothing Compares 2 U" dominates the memory of everything around it. She left too soon.

It was difficult not to be charmed by Sinead at the time of this album.if you had encountered her debut, The Lion and the Cobra then you knew that underlying this beautiful voice was a fiery, complex, passionate and fearless artist with the rare ability to make you feel every word. On this follow up, the edges are a bit smoother, the vocals more controlled than on the debut, but none of the elements were missing. This is a fully realized album by a singular artist who is likely best known for the prince cover and a SNL performance, but should be remembered and regarded as a masterful artist. Nothing Compares 2 U is remarkable, but so is much of the album. Black Boys on Mopeds, Jump In The River and the titular track all could be singles. Sure there are those who will look at the record and compare every song to the hit- but that misses the point. A remarkable achievement overall that is so effective in highlighting Sinead’s real strength- her amazing vocals and powerful prose. 4/5

Shit was extreme hyped.

Spectacular. Her voice and how she uses it is as special as it gets. The music is constructed perfectly to match.

Sinead O'Connor has a lovely voice, and the lyrics are rather deep. Each song is unique, and mixed very well. Apologies to my Irish friends, but the album just doesn't really do anything for me. In terms of best songs, "The Emperor's New Clothes," has a great groove, ""I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got" beautifully breaks everything away to just showcase Sinead's voice, and "Nothing Compares 2 U" (the famously controversial Prince cover) shines as one of the best tracks overall.

The standout is definitely Nothing Compares 2 U, not just because I’ve heard it the most before. I wasn’t expecting the quasi-trance elements on here. Overall really enjoyable.

this was really good

I think I’m “supposed” to give this four or five stars but while “Nothing Compares 2 U” is an amazing version, and the songwriting is strong, performance wise I find it to be a little sparse and uninteresting.

A well made dark, sad album. 3.4/5.

Udara u dubine duše kao i sve što je ova divna žena ikad uradila. Neobičan zvuk, nevjerovatan glas, emocije do daske.

Nothing compares to u , classique mais je peux vivre sans l'ecouter. Tres dramatique. On dirait une chanteuse torturee. avec les ombres de la pochette . Bon au moins c'est une des premieres chanteuses quon ecoute du moins. Je vois bien les gens ecouter cette chanson dans le train en regardant par la fenetre. J'ai l'impression que le chant et l'orchestre font deux et pas un. C'est un peu random.

Commentaires en direct: Feel So Different: Bon dieu c'est lent. I am Stretched on Your Grave: Ouh la. Je sais pas pourquoi, j'ai l'impression d'écouter un truc issu de la BO de Matrix, mais en plus lent. ACCELERE BON DIEU. Ah le violon est sympa. En fait le problème de ces albums, c'est que mon approximatif B2 en anglais ne me permet pas de comprendre les paroles et de travailler en même temps. Putain la dernière chanson on dirait les chansons dans les stades à l'américaine. Problème, je ne suis pas au Met Stadium, je suis dans mon bureau à la défense. Tu me diras "c'est juste parce que c'est a capella". Oui. J'ai l'impression qu'à tout moment ça va partir en applaudissements, entrée des joueurs, feux d'artifices. 2/5 (+1 pour la photo déchirée de JPII).

A very somber but beautiful record. Sinead's voice is enchanting and spiritual in nature, and brings much comfort and serenity. The production is typical of the era, electronic synths, but very wide and impactful music to accompany Sinead. Really beautiful record all in all.

intense and poignant

Title track was really nice. Simple yet effective, showcasing her voice

Hey remember when Sinéad went on SNL and tore up a picture of the Pope and said "this is your real enemy"? Remember how she did that like a decade before the Spotlight investigation? I mean, she wasn't wrong. I think we should all apologize to Sinéad's career.

Not really a fan, but ok to listen to once. 2/5

Great voice. The backing beats and instruments are pretty unremarkable. Maybe that’s the point.

A little too slow for me, couldn't keep interest in it

Disappointed with this album. Punk lyrics but over-produced late 80s pop with mediocre vocals.

Great voice of course and 'that track' must be universally loved by all. When the beats had a bit more drive to them, it all felt a bit more purposeful. When there wasn't the same accompaniment I drifted.

Just not my type of music but Black Boys on Mopeds is a banger

Ik vind deze muziek hard te verwerken. Mij iets te zwevering/rustig. **

Best Track - "Nothing Compares 2 U"

There's something good going on here, I'm sure of it, I just don't have what it takes to appreciate it and I do not want what I haven't got.

3.5

She had a really powerful voice. It’s just too bad that she was mistreated by almost everyone that knew her. Her pain and frustration was on full display here. This album is really not for me.

I love Sinead. I enjoy her voice and her passion. That said, this is not one of my favorite albums. ★★★

Meh

An excellent voice, one of the most beautiful and vibrant I’ve ever heard; the way I viewed Sinead changed completely when I saw her tear up the photo of the Pope; seeing her protest and denounce a heinous crime that was taking place behind the Church’s closed doors made my respect for her grow exponentially! From then on, it was never just about the music. I felt pity, anger and frustration at all the suffering they caused her afterwards. I know exactly what I’m talking about, as Pope John Paul II was held in the highest regard, seen by those around me as a true saint – but the truth is that those very same people I dealt with knew what was going on in the Portuguese Church (yes, you read that right: these crimes took place in the Church, with a capital ‘C’, all over the world; no one was spared). So may this beautiful artist live on forever in our memories, and may we never forget her voice, her energy and her courage. For all that, a resounding 10/10 PS – the album is also spectacular and her music is marvellous

It sounded like an angel was singing to me from above. Especially on the last song, such beautiful music and writing. An enjoyable experience indeed!

3.8

This feels like a record you need to listen to with context because without it, I don’t think the music stands out very much.

She’s just really very good, isn’t she?

This intrigued me. Obvs I know the prince song, but I figured this album would be like an art students project, like a good one, but still. And it was, at first, track 2 had that weird drum rhythm all the way, but still fitted my expectation. Then track 3 starts with an awesome drum bass thing before the vocals come it, I actually thought myself "cool, here we go". Then we didn't. That song was pants. Then nothing comes on is just amazing in every respect, except perhaps the fade out. The. She goes off into some kind of strumming 90s indie, like belly or someone. The inconsistency is off the charts and I'm not sure it helped me enjoy it. It ended on art school again, which was cool. I think the on a that hit were great. The bits that didn't were not only a shame, but genuinely a let down. Maybe a high 3 as an album.

Sviske. Ikke hørt gjennom

4/5

Intensely personal and politically charged, O'Connor raises the confessional to the sublime Of course, Nothing Compares 2 U is the standout, but Black Boys on Mopeds, Emperors New Clothes, the amazing I am Stretched on Your Grave and Jump on the River all come close to equalling it. You Cause as Much Sorrow, written, apparently, about her late mother and The Last Day of Our Acquaintance, about the end of her marriage are jaw dropping in their frankness. The final song, the title track, is achingly beautiful, like a modern folk song sung a capella. Absolute master work. And she was, what, 23 when she made it?

I've been interested in listening to Sinead's work after reading her autobiography Rememberings. This album definitely did not disappoint. I thought it was beautiful and powerful. Really great.

Brilliant album that somehow fell out of the rotation. What a joy to revisit. Sinéad was an icon who stood up against the Catholic Church and was relentlessly bullied and ridiculed for her convictions. As a songwriter, she was vulnerable and not afraid to be political. Her music is moving, beautiful, and evocative. What an incredible album.

Really good and very Cranberries-esque. Probably deserves a 4 but I’m not there yet.

J’ai adoré surtout un titre kiss kiss

OMG! What a Queen she was. Such prescient protest songs, beautifully rendered. She was so brave to take on the patriarchy, seemingly by herself, in her 20s. We really lost a lot when the biz abandoned her and so many stood aside and watched the machine grind up Ms. Sinead O’Connor. But, I don’t rate albums based on the personality or social accomplishments of the artist. This is excellent musically. I read some other generator reviews and found people panning her talents. I don’t get it. There are several all time bangers on this album. Her voice and delivery are powerful and on point, the songs are interesting and interestingly arranged. Simply put, this album rocks! A 5.

I’m so happy that I finally got Sinéad! What a unique presence she had in music and what a stunning voice. I Do Not Want… is of course her most famous album, her most succesfull album and home to her blockbuster single Nothing Compares 2 U. That single is without a doubt a monumental piece of music. Although a cover, she makes it completely her own. Heartbreakingly vulnerable vocals are paired with a rather simple instrumental to simply create magic. Thankfully, the rest of the album doesn’t pale in comparison! Of course nothing reaches quite the heights of that behemoth of a single, but Sinéad still delivers an album full of songs that evoke many emotions. From the more uptempo Jump In The River about a sexual infatuation to the hip-hop-esque Stretched On Your Grave - an interpretation of an old Irish poem about a lost love that never quite reached its apex - the album contains song that are musically more varied than one might suspect. Sinéad inhabits these songscapes with a confidence that you wouldn’t even dare to ask the question „Should Sinéad sing over a hip-hop beat?“. Of course, the core of the album are the slower, quieter songs. Black Boys On Mopeds especially is an impressive exhibit of Sinéads abilities as a (political) storyteller, likely influenced by her love for Bob Dylan. The opener, Feel So Different is an interesting exercise in reflecting on O’Connor’s life and relationships - honestly, go read her memoir to learn more about it, it’s a great book. Overall, the album like its artwork life in a simplicity that could be mistaken for emptiness, but it’s far from that. Sinéad’s voice simply fills every room and the music compliments that perfectly without every attempting to take center stage from the main event. I don’t think this is Sinéad at her musical peak, that followed four years later on the remarkable Universal Mother. But at the end of a day, this is still a great album.

Listens: 1.5 Standout Tracks: None I couldn't get though a second listen. Not interested in this in the slightest. Not interested in the singing, the lyrics, the instrumentation. Nada.

Well, Sinead O'Rebellion. Shock me, shock me, shock me with that deviant behavior.

Tortured soul. Blah blah blah.

fight the real enemy

This goes into the I respect the talent but I'm not into the sound. 2.0

There are countless artists out there whose music I love, but I hate them as people. Sinead O'Connor is a rare case of the complete opposite. There's no denying that she was a great person, I mean it's hard to hate anyone who a huge part of their public persona is being anti pedophilia (saying that, she was still hugely unpopular after doing what she did). But I've always found her music to actually be really boring. I think this album has a handful of really beautiful moments, but on the whole I just didn't think there was enough interesting going on for me to really enjoy this.

Floaty and folky and awesome. I was probably expecting a bit more of the rocky uptunes, which there are a couple of and I'm not crazy about. There's a lot of stillness though and beauty. It's really effective

Interesting. Not really a fan of the yodelling technique but I do think this album is different and creative and i like the attitude

(5.4)

A nice album

Not sure any album has turned me around so completely. After the first two songs l thought I would have to stretch to give it a two star rating, knowing I would never give only one star to an album containing Nothing Compares To 2 U. Then suddenly came a cluster of absolutely gorgeous songs. Suddenly it’s easily a four star album and I go back and revisit the first two tracks with a better understanding of the whole. It’s almost five stars worthy. It might get them. Because it’s an easy 4.5, and the song Three Babies may tilt me towards rounding up. This album may not be perfect but there are moments that are so sublime they make me want to overlook the flaws.

Nothing Compares 2 U er en tidløs banger, ingen tvil om det, og løfter albumet, men resten er ikke noe spesielt.

This album is pretty nice. Her singing is great and the variety in types of songs/sounds is cool as well.

this was hard to listen to primarily because it was just so sad, knowing sinead's life and journey, made it hard to sit with.

A few really great songs but there were some lulls for me.

not as compelling as I remember

Big fan of O'Connor's activist work but her music unfortunately does nothing for me

3/6

Absolutely beautiful haunting music from this artist. This is not listening while driving mysic. The orchestrations are beautiful. Added to my sleep playlist.

3.8/5

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝟮 𝗨 was such a huge hit that it has almost become shorthand for Sinéad O’Connor’s entire career. For many people, it is probably the only song of hers they could name, which is a shame because the album around it is genuinely strong. O’Connor had a remarkable voice: fragile, intense, and capable of turning very simple arrangements into something emotionally powerful. The record is restrained rather than showy, and even if it never quite reaches the heights of its famous single again, it remains consistently compelling. I sometimes wonder how differently her career might have unfolded if the controversies surrounding her had not so often overshadowed the music. Whatever one thinks of those public battles, her talent was never in doubt.

A beautifully haunting voice.

This album sounds like it was recorded in a church. Based on the songs, perhaps it was a confessional. Easy to keep listening.

Really good, listened to it three hundred times

This album came out just as I was at the age where I was becoming aware of music. Nothing compares 2 u was/is such a powerful song. It gave me pause even back then at my young age. Unfortunately this album doesn't reach the hights of that track. One amazing track and a handful of ok songs sums up this album.

The woman can sing but the album is carried by the only track people know, and there's probably a reason for that. Standouts Black Boys on Mopeds Nothing Compares 2 U 3/5

A really rich performance

I know her voice is supposed to be great but it’s not for me.

Only knew Nothing Compares 2 U before. I do enjoy this a lot more than I did back then. I guess I am older...

While her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, was a stellar debut, Sinead knocked it out of the park with this one. I'm amazed at the emotional scope of this album and her courage in putting this music out into the world. There's so much vulnerability on it and a quiet strength that is incredible to behold. I can think of no other artist that could do what she does on this. It's hard to put into words what this album means to me as songs like "Three Babies," "Black Boys on Mopeds," and "The Last Day of our Acquaintance" are powerful and chilling. And then there are two of her absolute best, "The Emperor's New Clothes" and her exquisite cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U." This is a desert island disc for me.

Sinead O'connor had an ethereal voice, like her compatriot Enya, but it was only part of what made her so special. This album showcases her songwriting talent on songs like Black Boys on Mopeds, Three Babies, The Emperor's New Clothes - she wasn't afraid of getting deeply personal or political. She was a brave person who made bold music and that comes through on this one

Good vocals, good background music but nothing I would actively go out my way to listen to

Super!

Brilliant from start to finish. Come for “Nothing Compares 2 U” and stay for “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” You can play “Black Boys on Mopeds” at my funeral. Absolutely essential. Sinéad was right about everything, btw.

YES! Definitely listen to this before you die. Another stop off in the land of Ireland. No idea what Sinéad has in store for us but in a very contradictory way, this was everything I expected and totally different to my expectations. High notes, beautiful singing, some darkness, outspoken, check. Challenging, crazy and a bit uneasy at times. We have to start with Nothing Compares 2 U. An anomaly on the album and by far the poppiest, and most classic, but somehow one of the easiest moments Sinéad gives us. I guess that's what you get from royal writing. Great start, Feels so Different is easily in the top 3. Uneasy but very rewarding song. Then we go to the grave yard and more specifically onto this person's grave. A haunting song, matched by the music and performance - we even get an Irish jig. Sinéad voice peaks on three babies, a stunning performance but almost acts as three different heads of a dragon, calm and loving, angry and loud, soft and distraught. Without research, is this about her children or lost children? Very odd transition into upbeat pop sound the Emperor's New Clothes but apparently I'm all for it as I suddenly realise that I'm really, really, enjoying this album. Political statement against Maggie - another one to research but when it's performed this beautifully, and against the Tories, I have to tend to agree. Three babies comes up again - I've started to well up at the line 'The first word that they learnt were - please.' Wow, what a stunning line that couldn't be more fitting in the current world and government. No need to discuss the next track, although I must listen to the Stereophonics version that I always adored. In contrast to Paramore last week, Jump in the river is the perfect cool down song. It's decent, maybe even a bit generic, but allows you regroup after some journey. ..Acquaintance has been a top 3 throughout the week. Feels so different is an easy choice and the third is a tough one. The finale has to be the delete - not that I really dislike it, it works as a lovely poem about growth and self confidence but it's definitely my least enjoyable. A great album that really sprung to life on the final listen.

2.4 2x

Beautiful and haunting, like all good Irish music.

A couple years before the huge SNL controversy, Sinead had already made some waves with her debut album this this album, with it's big hit made her a household name. Nothing Compares is the big standout and rightfully holds up as a standout of not only the year but maybe even the decade. The rest of the album is slightly marred by the dated sound of the production but ultimately O'Connor's voice stands out and rises above. There are a variety of styles and genres here and it remains a great listen.

I'm not a huge Sinead fan by any means but I really like the songs The Last Day of Our Acquaintance and Black Boys on Mopeds..I have another favourite now in Feel So Different. There is a side to O'Conner's work for nearly everyone, especially on this album if you want a hip hop beat giving way to traditional Irish folk music, you got it. If you like political songwriting there's Margaret Thatcher and racist police being called out, it's here too, if you want raw emotion in a pop hit, there's Nothing Compares 2 U. And her voice, her voice is amazing and if you just want to listen to that voice, there's an a capella closed too. All things considered, I'm prepared to rip up -no doubt the lady herself would approve- my usual ratings system and give this a 5.