Alison Krauss + Union Station

Alison Krauss and Union Station have been together, occupying the modern-bluegrass niche, since the 1980s. But it’s only since the release of the soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou? that Krauss and crew have had the opportunity to be truly appreciated in mainstream circles. Krauss, with her achingly beautiful (seriously—there’s aching here) voice, can’t help but overshadow her band mates, but New Favorite lets them shine, too. There are several songs in the styling of the fiddle-filled folk of American tradition.

Take “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Hoe Corn,” “Momma Cried” (the best of the bunch) or “Bright Sunny South.” Gotta love that dobro. But, as usual, it’s Krauss who shines brightest here. She offers up more of her trademark love-lost songs, with the mournful “I’m Gone” being particularly good.

My favorites are the title track and "The Lucky One." The music is so pretty you may forget to listen to the words. Don’t. Roll "Take Me for Longing" around in your soul for awhile: "Don’t choose me because I am faithful/ Don’t choose me because I am kind. If your heart settles on me, I am for the taking/ Take me for longing or leave me behind."