Alison Krauss: New Favorite : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Flush with critical acclaim from various solo projects, including contributions to the Cohen brothers' O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, the members of Union Station have reformed to polish up another country gem. New Favorite offers simple yet elegant bluegrass arrangements of thirteen new songs from within -- notably banjoist/guitarist Ron Block's hoe-down-worthy "It All Comes Down to You" and dobro master Jerry Douglas's bluegrass instrumental "Choctaw Hayride" -- and without. Of those, the most interesting are Mark Simos pretty, country-pop-leaning, "Crazy Faith" and Appalachian-Modern darling Gillian Welch's melancholic title track. Krauss and Co. show a deep respect for tradition in such tunes as "Hayride" and the toe-tapping "Bright New South," but it's the seamless incorporation of pop savvy (as on country ballads like "Stars") that has proven to be Union Station's calling card. Cynics may begrudge their success, but there's no disputing the fact that Alison Krauss and Union Station have earned their many kudos the old-fashioned way -- with balanced, well-performed and undeniably pleasing music.

MARIE ELSIE ST LEGER
(August 13, 2001)