Iris DeMent Album: “Infamous Angel (Warner Bros.)”

We pass our days with things to do and places to go - this is our lot in life. This is life. But now and then you make a 'wrong" turn on a street and pass a shop from which you barely hear something that seems familiar and are drawn towards its source. You walk into the middle of "Let The Mystery Be" as Iris' CD is playing from speakers on the wall. It is not a record shop, but a poutpourri little store. "Who is that singing," you ask the lady with the beautiful long silver hair behind the counter. "Thats Iris Dement," she says. I say, "I never heard of her,". The lady says, "Then today is your lucky day". She points to a chair by the counter and says, "Have a seat and listen to this; you are about to take a journey." I do as she says while she turns to the cd player and forwards to "Our Town".

The song finishes and the lady with the long beautiful silver hair looks at my expression and says, "You don't have to say a word - you have just become DeMented," she says with a smile as she writes down Iris' name and the title of the CD "Infamous Angel" on a notepad and hands me the slip of paper. She says, "I think most music stores carry her cds." You don't sell cds at all," I ask in disappointment. "Sorry, but no, I don't. If I stocked this one, though, I'd probably be out of stock most of the time, anyway." I buy some candles out of politeness, thank her for allowing me to listen to the music and race to a place and within less than an hour I own "Infamous Angel". Now, were it a tape or a record, it would have long since lost its essense from repititous play, but Iris Dement's songs are what cd technology were designed for - you can not stop yourself from overplaying this album, nor would you want to! Iris DeMent's songs and voice fill longings I didn't even know existed in my heart! Should you buy this CD?..Good God yes! and don't even bother looking at the sticker price..and then share it with anyone you can!

I have to admit up-front to being a devoted Iris DeMent fan. I first saw her at the now defunct Folkways Coffee House in Peterborough, New Hampshire in the early 1990s, and she performed most of the songs in this album. From the opening number of "Let The Mystery Be", with Iris advising us that she's happy not to wonder or worry about what God"s plan for her is, one almost immediately recognizes the wondrous gift He has given us with Iris DeMent. This album is an evocative, ethereal, and memorable excursion into the existential dilemmas of contemporary life, and is a treasure for anyone who loves the unique of country and folk music that Iris DeMent bridges so artfully. All of her music here is original and special, and over the last decade she has matured from her beginnings to become a most singular and precious folk treasure. Here she mixes her deep natural religiosity with an awesome practicality in her verses, as in the opening cut "Let The Mystery Be" to "These Hills", in which she waxes sentimentally about her love for the hill country she calls home. From "Sweet Forgiveness", a touching ballad, to the title cut of "Infamous Angel", Iris manages to wring honest, beautiful and special qualities from each of her compositions. Indeed, this whole song cycle is terrific, and I only hope she continues to produce such special and original music for all of us who love her music and her sweet gentle vision of a life well lived and well loved. Enjoy

This is definitely an album that any country music lover should have in their collection. Be prepared, however, for something a bit unusual. There is a raw honesty to the way that Iris DeMent sings that's a million miles away from Nashville. But it's that lack of polish - and the subject matter of hometown life and family - that gives it all so much charm.

The songs are great - particularly the title track, as well as "Let the Mystery Be" and "Hotter than Mojave".

I've seen Iris in concert in the UK and her vocal performance live is just as good as on CD. She tends to be a little shy and retiring on stage though.

I agree with one or two of the other reviewers that subsequent albums haven't been quite as hot. Don't let that put you off this one though.

Iris DeMent has put together a sparkling treasure chest of songs that evoke times and places and best sentiments of mountain community. Imagine Carol King, Joni Mitchell and Carley Simon without the annoying added layers studio glitz that spoil their vocals and bury their lyric message. Every time you play this deceptively subtle CD you get something more out of it.

Every so often I hear a CD that makes me sit back in awe - and listening to 'Infamous Angel' was one of those occasions. Iris Dement has a voice that is so Country but so unlike the usual and her songwriting is brilliantly simple but astute. Her music is a mix of folk, bluegrass, gospel & honkytonk and here she's backed by a top band that includes Emmylou Harris, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Al Perkins, Roy Huskey Jr. & Jim Rooney. Standout tracks: 'Let The Mystery Be', 'These Hills', 'Hotter Than Mojave..', 'Our Town', 'Mama's Opry', and the wonderful title track.

Iris Dement's 'Infamous Angel' is Essential Country.