Alison Krauss

I was put off about the slickness. I am the sort of fool who assumes that an old timey musician (a.k.a. Roy Acuff) was more sincere than musicians with a contemporary bluegrass sound. I don't doubt Krauss' sincerity, of course, but the pop sound was off-putting.

I was especially fond of Loretta Lynn's "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven But Nobody Wants to Die," a five star song in large part of the title and the mingling of common sense with evangelistic sentiments. I was surprised by the show more presence of Paul Simon's "Love Me Like a Rock" on the album. Krauss and company sang it very well but it didn't help with my sincerity concerns. show less

There are many good songs on this album. The most unforgettable one is the title tract, in which Krauss mellows out a loud, lachrymose ballad into something delicate and heartfelt.

A very great album in places. I am still very happy that her next album will be back with the Union Station. I had feared that an intervention might be necessary.

Bluegrass that moves from progressive to traditional.