Women of Country - The Internet's #1 Guide to Female Country Music

Album Review

Alison Krauss + Union Station
New Favorite
Rounder Records

Bluegrass has made an incredible comeback since the release of the O, Brother Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Who would have guessed that a soundtrack full of bluegrass songs would become the biggest selling country release of 2001? We've also seen Patty Loveless cut a bluegrass record and watched Nickel Creek explode onto the scene. It would seem that there is no stopping this explosion and quite frankly who would want to?

Alison Krauss could be considered the current reigning queen of bluegrass. Her last album Forget About It was one of the best records of her career. New Favorite, her newest release along with Union Station on the other hand is lacking something. Maybe it's the lack of focus on Alison. The songs recorded with Union Station taking the lead are just a little dull; songs like "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn" are not only laughable lyrically (granted it is a traditional song) but are just a snooze to listen to. "Mama Cried" is an improvement but still nothing special.

The songs Alison takes her vocals to are of better quality and are the highlights of the record. "The Lucky One" is one of the albums best tracks. Krauss's high pitched vocals can quickly become grating with the wrong material but here her vocals soar and you're left satisfied with the song. You also can't go wrong with "Let Me Touch You For Awhile" which would do well on radio. It's got a strange vibe somewhere between bluegrass and modern country music.

The biggest problem with New Favorite is that the album just kind of blurs together. The tracks here aren't bad, they are just uninteresting. You're left feeling like you missed something and that's a shame. There is no doubt that Alison Krauss + Union Station are talented. They can all play and sing like many of us can only dream to. But they have missed the mark with New Favorite and you'd be better served picking up copies of some of the earlier albums they've released.

Album Review by Jeff Krasky

The WOC Rating Scale

The album stands above the rest. This is a record that every country music fan needs to have in their collection.

This album is better than the average release. A strong record with some flaws that keep it from reaching that 5 star level.

This album is an average country release. Doesn't posses qualities that make it stand out among all the other albums out there.

A weak record that lacks solid songs or good vocal performances. Sample before you buy.

This record is a bargin-bin reject that just isn't worth the time or the money. Completely misses the mark.