[.ca] The Way I Should

From Amazon.co.uk:
Iris DeMent's 1994 My Life is the best country album released in the 1990s. Yet with its gorgeous string-band arrangements and its heartbreaking tales of home and family, it's so timeless it could just as easily have been released in the '30s as the '90s. By contrast, there's no mistaking which decade DeMent's album, The Way I Should, comes from, with its crossover-country sound and its references to Calvin Klein, MTV, child abuse, "quality time", and Beavis and Butt-head. Nonetheless DeMent's twangy Arkansas soprano and detail-filled lyrics are as sharply original as ever. DeMent's voice seems to glow on "This Kind of Happy", a love song co-written with her outspoken admirer, Merle Haggard, and on the prayer-like "Keep Me God". --Geoffrey Himes

Thanks, Iris. Waiting for more.:
Iris proves conclusively that she shouldn't be saddled with the "country" label. And for those who thought Iris was this shrinking violet who was too well behaved to make waves, well just stand back because you could get wet. She went and pulled a Dylan on us by bringing out that new fangled electric geetar although in most of the songs you barely notice it. It is easy to get the impression that her first two releases were just going for the stereotypical Americana sound. She sang about Jesus and Mama and getting through the hard times. Now in 'The Way I Should' she's talking about a diffent set of problems such as injustice, both in the family and in the country. The mark of a great singer/songwriter is the willingness to face controversy and not hide under the sheltering rock of populism. Our Town and Sweet Is The Melody were great songs, but if Iris sees more than nostalgia and good times then thats what she should sing about. Everyone has an agenda. The agenda of most country singers is 'going along to get along', 'riding the bandwagon' 'blending in' and populism for the sake of populism. I am proud that Iris Dement has the guts to be a real American by saying just what's on her mind. The songs on her previous albums were sparrows and butterflies. The songs on this album are American eagles.

My Favorite Iris Dement Album:
I love all 3 of Iris's albums, but this is my favorite. In the current political climate, her lyrics have become even more poignant than when this was first released. Her voice is clear, crisp and beautiful. These songs will make you laugh and cry and think. I hope we won't have to wait too long for her next CD.

Love Iris Dement!!:
Heard and found Iris's music accidentally, I would not have believed that I would like it sooooo much! Her music is straight from the heart. Her voice is pure and real! Somehow you just know she doesn't sing to impress anyone, she just sings because the music is in her soul. Have bought every CD and wait for more.If you buy one, you will want them all.

Greatness:
The third Iris album is easily as good as the two previous ones. Since her debut with "Infamous Angel", Iris DeMent came in the country-folk music world with an incredible purity. When she sings you hear a little girl full of love and faith, an angel rich of innocence and soul. And when she criticizes some shames of our society ( "Wasteland Of The Free" ), she does it with the same qualities: rather than a legitimate revolt than any wanton provocation. When she offers wide emotional ballads to us ( "Walkin' Home" ), a feeling of greatness comes up right in your soul. Iris did well for making a record more diverse than the sublime "My Life". It would have been vain to record the same. I love to hear Iris on more up-tempo numbers, she can use an amazing strong voice. Iris has recorded three indispensible albums in the last decade, with freshness and something rare long since. She deserves five stars for each one, because she deserves easily five stars as an artist. She's unique, she's a phenomenon. All the world will know that one day.

Grace & Courage:
Iris Demente said that she almost did not include "Wasteland Of The Free" on this release, worried that her words of truth were too dangerous to utter in an era where violence is the currency of culture. In the end, the strength of belief prevailed over fear and our lives are much the better for it. The entire CD is outstanding, a gem among gems. Thank you, Iris, for your grace under pressure. The word is courage, which is needed now, more than ever.

• When My Mornin' Comes Around
• There's a Wall in Washington
• Wasteland of the Free
• I'll Take My Sorrow Straight
• This Kind of Happy
• Way I Should
• Letter to Mom
• Keep Me God
• Quality Time
• Walkin' Home
• Trouble - Iris DeMent, Delbert McClinton