Alison Krauss & Union Station shine on ‘Arcadia’
Associated Press
The last time Alison Krauss & Union Station recorded together was for 2011’s “Paper Airplane.” While much has changed in the last 14 years, the band’s reunion sounds as sweet as ever with the release of “Arcadia.”
The new album features 10 tracks of folk, country and bluegrass flavorings that leave a lasting impression long after the listening experience has concluded.
This time around, Russell Moore joins the lineup as guitarist and co-lead vocalist. His authentic vocal style is a perfect match with the angelic voice of Krauss.
The new arrangements cover emotional stories of heartache, pain, loss, and the search for redemption in a harsh world.
“Looks Like the End of the Road” opens the set reliving past regrets in the hopes of making amends with Krauss confessing, “It’s the end of the circus/And I’m feeling sad like a clown.”
Moore quickly makes an impact on the album with “The Hangman.” With his first lead vocal offering, Moore delivers a haunting rendition of a track outlining the doom and despair surrounding the dire consequences for our sins and crimes. Moore’s vocals are equally impressive on “Granite Mills” and “Snow.”
“In my life, I’ve learned a lot/Not from things I’ve done/But from things that I have not,” proclaims the 53-year-old Krauss on “The Wrong Way.” The song is a moving declaration of lost love and the aching for another chance to make things right.
“One Ray of Shine” tenderly touches upon the comfort found in discovering a designated place of peace when solitude is needed the most. Krauss assures us that a little sunshine will always break through and illuminate the gloomiest of times.
“There’s a Light Up Ahead” brings things to an optimistic close with Krauss providing reasons for hope as darkness can be defeated if we remain focused on a better future when she declares, “I stand with moss and branches under my bare feet/Look back at all the chances I missed narrowly/But I’ll move along, can’t keep on looking backwards.”
With Krauss maintaining a busy schedule, let’s hope she can carve out time to do a third album with that long-haired lad from Led Zeppelin.
Clinton Rhodes is a Belle Vernon resident.