O' Connor's first full-length album in six years finds the Irish singer in major exploration mode. Her most recent effort had been 1997's excellent, lullaby-like, six-song EP Gospel Oak.

Working this time with an impressive list of producer-writers, including Dave Stewart, Brian Eno and Wyclef Jean, she incorporates several music genres -- dub, reggae and ambient -- into her glorious Celtic-tinged pop sound. The end result, in stores Tuesday, is a diverse work that grows on you after a few listens.

Standouts include the provocative proclamations, No Man's Woman and Daddy I'm Fine, the moody, atmospheric Jealous and Hold Back The Night, the upbeat Dancing Lessons, and the Celtic gospel-like If U Ever, Emma's Song and Kyrie Eleison.

Check out, too, the album-opening song, The Healing Room, on which you can hear children laughing and even one declaring in a very proper British accent: "We love you lots and lots and lots."

Not everything works here, such as the preachy What Doesn't Belong To Me and The Lamb's Book Of Life. But you've got to give O'Connor credit for trying to move beyond the boundaries.

O'Connor has said she will only do a few select dates in support of this album because of her two young children. Let's hope Toronto is one of them.

Track Listing 1. The Healing Room
  2. No Man's Woman
  3. Jealous
  4. Dancing Lessons
  5. Daddy I'm Fine
  6. 'Til I Whisper U Something
  7. Hold Back the Night
  8. What Doesn't Belong to Me
  9. The State I'm In
  10. The Lamb's Book of Life
  11. If U Ever
  12. Emma's Song
  13. Kyrie Eleison
  14. Kyrie Eleison
  15. Full Circle