Sing the Delta - Iris DeMent
Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
view
per page
  1. All Music Guide
    Oct 3, 2012
    70
    There's little that moves one to sing along here, unfortunately. The tempos are all slow, dramatic, and melancholy.
  2. PopMatters
    Oct 5, 2012
    80
    It's been 16 years since her last album of original material, and Sing the Delta is her weightiest album yet in that regard.
  3. Q Magazine
    Dec 11, 2012
    60
    While Sing The Delta isn't DeMent's best work, it's full of understated, sharply observed songs. [Jan 2013, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Uncut
    Oct 26, 2012
    90
    A startling, inspirational comeback. [Dec 2012, p.68]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. Mojo
    Dec 17, 2012
    80
    This is real person-to-person music. [Jan 2013, p.95]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Rolling Stone
    Oct 19, 2012
    70
    These artisanal songs of love and doubt wear their homeliness proudly; the effect is like finding a bountiful farm stand in the middle of nowhere.
  7. The Guardian
    Nov 1, 2012
    80
    This is her first album of new material in 16 years, but it sounds as powerful and timeless as anything she has done.
  8. Slant Magazine
    Nov 5, 2012
    90
    Sing the Delta... conveys a one-of-a-kind perspective that, somehow, manages to be as unassuming and humble as it is powerful and authoritative.
  9. NOW Magazine
    Oct 18, 2012
    80
    These are personal, contemporary story songs that centre on DeMent's signature plain delivery, the gospel-soul horn arrangements and the occasional wailed vocal
  10. Boston Globe
    Oct 3, 2012
    80
    Her patience has rewarded us with a work of rare, unvarnished grace and power.
  11. Blurt Magazine
    Oct 4, 2012
    80
    Sweeping and stirring in its emotional depth, Sing the Delta happily finds DeMent testifying to her beliefs with feeling.
  12. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Nov 5, 2012
    60
    DeMent cuts through the sheen with a simplicity that reaches back through decades.
  13. American Songwriter
    Oct 3, 2012
    70
    Sing The Delta is as well-executed as it is welcome.
  14. The Telegraph (UK)
    Nov 12, 2012
    90
    This is an album of rare truth and grace.
  15. Chicago Tribune
    Oct 3, 2012
    88
    On this quiet beauty of an album, she once again makes a virtue of her modesty.
  16. Expert Witness (MSN Music)
    Oct 5, 2012
    91
    DeMent craves stuff she can "see and touch," but her songwriting makes do just fine with feeling.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 3 more ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. ShepRock
    10
    Ms. DeMent's piano playing and gospel-tinged folk singing are nothing but beautiful inspiration for life's reflective and reverent moments. There is a true feeling of heaven and home within.… Full Review »