"Universal Mother" was Sinead's first album of new material after her 1990 blockbuster "I Do Not Want What I Have'nt Got" and in the 4 years in between the two album's her popularity declined significantly due to some bad behavior and and an ill-conceived album of pop standards that was not her forte. Consequently, "Universal Mother" was not heard by many people - which is unfortunate becuase it is mostly a very good effort. Sinead's voice is truly a work of art: at times soft and ghostly and at other times belting out anger with an intensity that is frightening. On "Red Football," she begins gently but soon turns all fury on an abusive lover. She tackles "All Apologies" with a deft touch and makes the song her own. The gorgeous "In this Heart" features a haunting O'Connor vocal backed by a choir. Only when Sinead sings lullabies to her children does this album falter. This is definately worth a listen.