Iris DeMent - The Way I Should - 30th Anniversary

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.

In celebration of the album’s 30th anniversary, Yep Roc Records is pressing The Way I Should on vinyl for the first time. The album is remastered by Mike Westbrook of Material Mastering.

     Songs are: 
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 (duet w/ Delbert McClinton) 

NEW SEALED 30th Anniversary edition - FIRST TIME ON VINYL!