Infamous Angel - Iris DeMent

Infamous Angel
1992


I've always enjoyed singers with unique voices Iris Dement would definitely fit in that category, her voice is pure unaffected and can send a shiver up your spine like few present day singers. That said her voice is not for everyone, my wife for one can't stand her, no accounting for taste! Anyway I think this is a suburb album by one of the best current female country artists. To label Iris simply ...
...real folk roots in her style and sound.

The emotion she can put into a song is breathtaking especially the brilliant "Our Town" which will appeal to anyone who comes from a small town which has seen better times. This is not a commercial country album the instrumentation mainly acoustic is traditional and the harmonies are right out of the 1950's. Think 'Oh Brother, where Art Thou' soundtrack' to get some idea of the instrumentation. ... more

Infamous Angel
1992

I've always enjoyed singers with unique voices Iris Dement would definitely fit in that category, her voice is pure unaffected and can send a shiver up your spine like few present day singers. That said her voice is not for everyone, my wife for one can't stand her, no accounting for taste! Anyway I think this is a suburb album by one of the best current female country artists. To label Iris simply as a country artist would also be incorrect; there are real folk roots in her style and sound.

The emotion she can put into a song is breathtaking especially the brilliant "Our Town" which will appeal to anyone who comes from a small town which has seen better times. This is not a commercial country album the instrumentation mainly acoustic is traditional and the harmonies are right out of the 1950's. Think 'Oh Brother, where Art Thou' soundtrack' to get some idea of the instrumentation. All Iris's songs cover traditional country subjects, Life, Death, Love, but with Iris you feel she really means it unlike so many 'New' country singers who sing by numbers over a Nashville session band and try to appeal to the 'young' audience.

So who will this album appeal to?
Hard to say really, traditional country fans maybe, fans of American folk music, listeners who enjoy singer songwriters with conviction and fans of a pure American voice, unaffected by time or place. If you're looking for something a little different pure simple music and an amazing voice buy this album and hear what real emotion sounds like. If you do get your hands on this album and enjoy it her follow up "My Life" is even more emotionally charged and also well worth checking out.

 

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