Sinead O’Connor Releasing Bible-Based CD

Sinead O'Connor is releasing her ninth album 'Theology' internationally from June 22-26. All of the newly composed songs are based off Old Testament writings.

By Kevin Jackson , Christian Post Reporter

June 14, 2007|8:29 am

The Irish singer made infamous for ripping apart a picture of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live” is returning to the music scene with a surprising CD based heavily off Scripture.

Sinead O’Connor will be releasing her ninth album titled Theology internationally from June 22 to June 26 and includes lyrics that are solely founded on Old Testament writings.

According to the songwriter, the project is a self-described personal response to the state of the world following Sept. 11, 2001.

"Theology is my attempt to create a place of peace in a time of war," explained the soloist in a message on the advance copy of the album.

The two disc set will feature eight new composed songs as well as three covers of past tunes. Four of the compositions are titled after Psalms (33, 91, 130, 137) and the three redone renditions include Curtis Mayfield's "We People Who Are Darker Than Blue," Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "I Don't Know How to Love Him" and the traditional "By the Rivers of Babylon."

The two discs have the exact same songs recorded on both of them except that the first disc is exclusively acoustic while the second CD has full band pop arrangements, recorded in Dublin and London, respectively.

“How awesome is it being God?” wrote Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone magazine. “Not only do you get Sinead to praise you in her reggae hymn ‘The Glory of Jah,’ you get a bonus acoustic version! [Dang], Jah – that's a heck of a lot of glory!”

Promoters plan on pushing the project strongly into the Christian market because of the album’s message. O’Connor hopes that it can reach people who do not yet know God and to help others experience the God who can give humans peace and calm.

The 40-year-old Irish is also planning on touring Europe in July and August, followed by some North American performances in September and October.

O’Connor will release Theology under KOCH Records for the first time and has included songs also specifically based on the books of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Job, Samuel, and Song of Songs.