New Favorite
by Alison Krauss & Union Station
  • Record Label: Rounder
  • Release Date: Aug 14, 2001
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Mojo
    100
    The bluegrass scene is now offically in touch with its feminine side. [Sep 2001, p.96]
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  2. Billboard
    90
    A subtle masterpiece...
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Krauss' dominant balladry sails on a brand of depression that's altogether timeless.
  5. CDNow
    80
    Whatever the source, each song is given a finely detailed treatment that gets to its emotional core, and the exquisite engineering allows each nuance to add to the total effect.
  6. HOB.com
    80
    Alison Krauss & Union Station has a voice like honey, raw and honest and sweet, and she wraps it lovingly around these achy ballads and American Gothic lamentations.
  7. Sonicnet
    80
    Alison Krauss & Union Station are one of the best instrumental bands in acoustic music today.
  8. E! Online
    75
    Krauss is blessed with one of the most coolly beautiful voices on record, and she's often better than her material, which is once again the case here.
  9. Blender
    60
    On the whole, it's an inventively played, not-quite-straight bluegrass album... [Aug/Sep 2001, p.124]
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  10. Q Magazine
    60
    New Favorite is pretty much the usual, if still wonderful, music from Krauss and Union Station. [Sep 2001, p.110]
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  11. The A.V. Club
    60
    One of the few creatively adventurous singers to maintain a presence on country radio, Krauss continues to subtly press the boundaries of her sound, but it's hard to imagine anything on New Favorite alienating the masses.
  12. AllMusic
    50
    The whole album feels a little too slick and reverbed-out... While there are intriguing moments in the album, it lacks the spark that So Long So Wrong had in spades, and even their few moments on the O Brother soundtrack seemed to breathe more life into the band than New Favorite does.

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Best Album of 2001
61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2001

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 19 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 2 out of 19
  1. akus_1985
    Dec 16, 2016
    10
    In my eyes, this is the album where Alison Krauss & Union Station (AKUS) truly came into their own, and stopped being just anotherIn my eyes, this is the album where Alison Krauss & Union Station (AKUS) truly came into their own, and stopped being just another country/bluegrass band. Years before the release of New Favorite, Krauss gained popularity due to her cover of Keith Whitley's hit, 'When You Say Nothing at All' being included on a tribute album for Whitley. And later, on, it was on her own album, A Collection: Baby, Now That I've Found You. Prior to recording 'Nothing at All,' Alison and Union Station were touring the country playing bluegrass festivals with set lists consisting of primarily bluegrass songs and blazing fiddle tunes. AKUS had little to zero radio play during this time. AKUS slowly moved away from traditional bluegrass, as well as many of the smaller festivals and began to create a sound that was unique, and could no longer easily be filed under 'Bluegrass." New Favorite's sound can only be described as 'AKUS.' This album isn't a captive of divisive or limiting genres. Yes, there are some tunes that are strictly bluegrass such as 'Momma Cried' or 'Bright Sunny South,' but there are also transcendent songs such as 'Daylight' and 'Crazy Faith' that would never be on a strictly bluegrass album. And the pacing of the album is brilliant. Krauss' voice has often been described as angelic, and it very much is on numbers like 'Let Me Touch You for Awhile.' But she also provides vocals on 'Take Me for Longing,' which is a medium tempo, grassy song. Although often overlooked for her fiddling accomplishments, Krauss provides many excellent fiddle breaks on this album, and there's even an instrumental proving AKUS hasn't forgotten their roots. The man of constant sorrow himself, Dan Tyminski, also sings lead on a couple of tunes, as well as Ron Block (guitarist, banjo, harmony vocals) who sings lead on one song. Overall, New Favorite is a fantastic album, filled with up tempo hoe downs, and somber ballads that truly re-defined AKUS. This album was a natural turning point for this band. For several years, AKUS had pushed the boundaries of bluegrass on their albums, and during their live shows. Many bluegrass purists scoffed, and abandoned AKUS after the release of this album. I for one, am thankful for New Favorite. It's a transcending album filled with spectacular tunes that refuse to be fit into a small box with restrictive, preconceived labels. If you're looking for traditional bluegrass, look elsewhere. For all others, welcome to a progressive, refreshing new genre I like to call: Alison Krauss & Union Station.… Full Review »
  2. raVen
    Jan 28, 2004
    9
    (9.5) There are certain voices that transcend genre or musical preference and can be held up apart from others by simply being beautiful. (9.5) There are certain voices that transcend genre or musical preference and can be held up apart from others by simply being beautiful. Alison Krauss has such a voice. It's almost painful how beautiful it is. ...For their part, the guys of Union Station are all masters of their particular craft, and the AK+US concert experience is something not to be missed if the chance arises. New Favorite, in turn, serves to spotlight the guys more and is not ruined by that. However, there is no mistaking what the main attraction is here. See and/or hear her just once and you'll be bewitched. ...She's one heckuva fiddler, too. Great CD, but see them live if you can--it's more than worth it.… Full Review »
  3. SarahM
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    Alison's voice is like an angel.
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