| Release Date: | 041826 |
| Currently: | Out of stock... OR coming soon - Check That Release Date one line up! (MM/DD/YY) |
| Please note: | Stock arriving for Record Store Day April 18th |
Event: RECORD STORE DAY 2026
Release Date: 4/18/2026
Format: LP - Summer Sky Vinyl
Label: Yep Roc Records
Quantity: 900
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release
With The Way I Should, Iris DeMent stepped boldly into new territory, delivering a collection that balanced her fierce lyrical conviction with tender vulnerability. Released in 1996, this third studio album from the revered Americana singer-songwriter expanded on her folk and country roots, blending sharp political commentary with deeply personal storytelling.
Backed by a fuller, more contemporary sound and featuring collaborations with legends like Delbert McClinton and Mark Knopfler, DeMent doesn’t shy away from weighty topics. From government corruption ("Wasteland of the Free") to working-class struggle ("Quality Time"), she gives voice to the disillusioned with searing honesty and soulful grit. Merle Haggard lends his iconic vocals to “This Kind of Happy,” bringing a warm, lived-in authenticity that deepens the album’s emotional core.
Yet for all its pointed critique, The Way I Should is just as powerful in its quieter moments. Songs like "When My Mornin’ Comes Around" and "Keep Me God" shimmer with grace, hope, and an unwavering moral compass. DeMent’s unmistakable voice anchors every track with a sense of authenticity that’s rare and resonant.
The Way I Should isn’t just an artistic evolution; it’s a fearless statement from a singular voice in American music. Timeless in message and rich in heart, it remains one of DeMent’s most compelling and relevant works.
TRACKLIST:
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
The Way I Should
Letter to Mom
Keep Me God
Quality Time
Walkin' Home
Trouble (with Delbert McClinton)