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Singer, songwriter Alison Krauss and Union Station released their 14th album, Paper Airplane on March 12.
The group, who has been together for over 20 years, offers a bluegrass sound, which is an alternative to the typical country albums out on the market.
Krauss, a 39-year-old native of Illinois, is no stranger to the music industry. The classically trained violinist turned bluegrass fiddler has won 27 Grammy Awards over her quarter century career.
The artist’s first album with Union Station, Two Highways, was released in 1989.
Krauss has performed in the company of legends such as Sting, Phish, Dolly Parton and Robert Plant, to name a few.
Krauss has contributed to several major motion picture soundtracks such as “Twister,” “Mona Lisa Smile” and “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Krauss offered her voice as the role of Jackie Titone in Adam Sandler’s “Eight Crazy Nights,” and performed with Elvis Costello at the 76th Academy Awards.
Krauss’ Paper Airplane is an 11-track compilation of songs about love found and love lost. The album includes bluegrass-heavy songs like “Dust Bowl Children” and “Bonita and the Butler,” yet it appeals to the contemporary genre as well.
Krauss’ cover of Richard and Linda Thomson’s “Dimming of the Day,” showcases her incredible vocal range, where her smooth soprano is captured in each effortless note.
The banjo-laden tune “Miles to Go” is one of the strongest tracks, and reminds listeners why Krauss’ unique sound is so treasured. Many of the songs on the album such as the title track “Paper Airplane,” “Lie Awake,” “Sinking Stone” and “Lay My Burden Down” are far from upbeat or even optimistic.
These songs are filled with deep emotion, yet they are true and expressive, qualities that definitely make for a moving piece of work.