The funny thing about Union Station is that the general public probably recognizes the two most identifiable members of the group in a musical capacity other than their nearly two decade run with the famed bluegrass band. Some may be familiar with Alison Krauss due to her recent Grammy winning team up with rock god Robert Plant, her stint with the Grand Ole Opry or her work on movie soundtracks. Likewise, most people’s familiarity with Dan Tyminski comes from his part in reviving and charting the classic folk song “Man of Constant Sorrow” in 2000. Krauss set in motion the hiatus of Union Station over the last few years to tour with Plant and partake in other musical ventures; Tyminski and the other talented Union Station musicians found other projects to occupy their time. Now seven years after the band’s last album, Krauss, Tymisnki and the members of Union Station reunite to give us the new album Paper Airplane.
The first impression that I got after listening through Paper Airplane, is that the collection of songs have a hard time finding their footing. 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways was the band’s crowning achievement. It was an album that very well should have shoved Alison Krauss and Union Station through the genre reclusive wall that had been built around them and into the mainstream consciousness. The momentum that Lonely gave the band though was halted by the long hiatus that followed it. On Airplane, it seems as if we are listening to a group that is just trying to get back into the groove. That’s not always a bad thing though, and the new album certainly has its shining moments. Despite only singing lead on three songs, Tyminski provides some of his most memorable moments including the urgent and infectious “Dustbowl Children.” Krauss is her usual self, gracing each song she contributes to vocally with the angelic voice she was blessed with. When critiquing an Alison Krauss sung song the only real complaints that can arise is song composition. Though when you have one of the most pitch perfect voices of our time, even a tepid or unimaginative song can sound like a gem. Songs like the overly drawn out “Dimming of the Day,” originally a number sang by the more aptly suited Linda Thompson, and the unmemorable “Sinking Stone” are quite forgettable save Krauss’ always shimmering voice.
The real gems on Airplane are the already catchy or moving tracks that turn into must hear compositions when Krauss’ ethereal vocals are added. The wonderful title track shows Krauss up to par with her greatest past performances. “Paper Airplane” is a beautiful string and banjo filled song that allows the talented singer to show her magnificent range. During the verses, her voice is little more than a whisper only to reach fantastically high notes during the chorus. On “Lie Awake,” Krauss exhibits the same effective emotional output without ever having to hit a note your layman singer couldn’t reach. Instead she allows her whisper like vocal to aid a slowed down, broken hearted lament; her haunting vocals providing an extra bit of eerie atmosphere to the track.
It may not be the group’s greatest effort, but it certainly is nice to have Union Station back in service. Being the only real bridge I have into modern day pop-flavored bluegrass music, I certainly felt a void in my musical palette from waiting seven years for a new album. Though at times Paper Airplane feels a bit disappointing, especially following what was a run of great releases from the late ‘90s to the mid ‘00s, there is just too much substance and too much talent to not give Alison Krauss and Union Station’s come back album a listen. For those of you like me, who found themselves smitten by Krauss’ voice some time ago, you will certainly find a lot to love about Paper Airplane.
"Paper Airplane" is on sale April 12, 2011 from Rounder.
