Iris DeMent, an American singer and songwriter whose musical style includes elements of the country and folk music genres, has released her 6th studio album, The Trackless Woods. The album is based upon and inspired by the words of Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova and was released on her own FlariElla record label. DeMent has had a long, successful career. She has recorded duets with John Prine and Ralph Stanley, was featured on the Merle Haggard tribute album Tulare Dust: A Songwriters’ Tribute to Merle Haggard, along with releasing six solo studio albums. DeMent has had several of her songs covered by numerous artists, along with having her “Our Town” featured during the closing scene of the final episode of CBS’s series Northern Exposure, and a shortened version of her rendition of “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms” used in the closing credits of the Coen brothers’ film True Grit.
I have to admit that I wasn’t familiar with Iris or her music until I listened to Josh Turner’s “Pallbearer”, a song from his 2012 album Punching Bag. DeMent contributed haunting harmony vocals to the song. “Pallbearer” happens to be one of my favorite songs, so I took quick notice of Iris’ part in it. I enjoyed her gospel album Lifeline and her traditional folk album Sing The Delta. I went into this album expecting it to be along the same musical lines. Unfortunately this album usn’t like the two I mentioned. Now, that doesn’t mean The Trackless Woods isn’t a good album, because technically it is. This album just isn’t really my cup of tea, it didn’t stir anything inside of me. That being said, I can still say that this is an excellent album.
The record is essentially a collaboration of sorts with the Russian poet Anna Akhmatova, who was born in 1889 and lived through her homeland’s turbulent 20th Century before dying in 1966. DeMent was introduced to Akhmatova’s work through a friend’s recommendation and became possessed with the poet’s vision. The album was recorded in DeMent’s homemade studio in her rural Iowa living room. DeMent’s desire to build a symbolic bridge to the homeland of her teenage daughter, Dasha, who DeMent and her husband Greg Brown adopted from Russia when she was six, was a key motivator for The Trackless Woods.
The record features a stripped down production, with most songs backed only by DeMent’s own piano. DeMent’s vocals are raw, soft yet rough around the edges at the same time. The Trackless Woods is Akhmatova’s poems set to music, focusing on Akhmatova’s depiction of great hardships that range from longing to resilience. Iris is an expert at conveying emotions with her voice and truly shines on sad, deeper songs.
A little over a minute long, “To My Poems” opens the concept album and sets the tone for the duration of the record. The standouts, for me, on this record are “Prayer”, “Not With Deserters”, and “Song About Songs”. “Prayer” is a beautiful piece, lyrically and vocally. The words are pure art, as they move into your consciousness through your ears. “Not With Deserters” actually follows right after “Prayer” in track order, and it’s a bit faster melodically (but not much faster) than “Prayer”. The song features a compelling production that draws you in before the words do. It’s a dark, mournful song. DeMent sings “Poor exile/ You are like a prisoner to me,” in a mournful cry. It’s another interesting and artistic track. “Song About Songs” is an excellent vocal performance track. Iris shines brightest on this song, her vocals less rough here.
Overall, The Trackless Woods is a truly artistic concept album. This album is one that is an acquired taste, some will like it, some won’t, some will understand it, and others won’t. I’ve always been a fan of concept albums in general. I believe that there is an important place in every genre for concept albums; they have a lot of character and meaning to them. They seem to be more thought out, more artistic. I wish more artists today would do concept albums.
To sum it all up, if you are a fan of Iris’ music, concept albums, or Russian poetry, you should definitely check this record out. If you’re a curious person looking to discover different, unique music, look no further. Like I said earlier, it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea (even though I happen to be a fan of concept albums), but that’s simply due to the fact that it didn’t really stir anything inside of me. Music either touches you in some way or it doesn’t. Just because an album or song doesn’t touch you in some way, doesn’t mean it’s bad (although I think we can all agree that most of mainstream country doesn’t move us because it’s awful), just that you’re the wrong audience.
Originally posted here.
