I'd never heard of Iris Dement before this album. And I'll be honest, I judged it for the cover. I wanted to hear what kind of music this woman was making. It was like going back in time. This is country music of the purest kind, made in 2012. It is beautiful, mournful and honest. It is sad, and joyful and brutal. If you only listen to one song, make it, "The Night I Learned How Not to Pray". This song will sit on your heart for days. It is the essence of country music - the yearning, sacrifice and pain that we go through in our lives. All of us. This music might not be for everyone - but Iris Dement is for me. I love this artist.
I've never listened to a Kaki King album until this one. I knew about King from the movie August Rush - an incredible story about a boy, alone in the world, connected to his lost parents through music. The music in the movie is beautiful and unique. For some reason I felt compelled to listen to Glow and I wasn't disappointed. This CD is full of lush, complex songs that defy categories. It is just gorgeously composed, intricately performed, instrumental music that fills your ears with beauty. It's a CD that can easily be listened to in the background, or actively for its complexity. I could not recommend this CD more highly, to anyone. This isn't a gender, or genre specific album. It's for everyone and it changed the way I listen to music. Absolutely worth your time and your money.
