Alison Krauss and Union Station

Paper Airplane
★★★1/2
Rounder

Could some of the devastating breakup songs on Paper Airplane be about that dude Alison Krauss made the Grammy-snatching 2007 LP Raising Sand with? Conceivably. But heartache is what Krauss has done with her band Union Station for more than 20 years. As usual, the virtuoso music shines without flashiness. Singer-guitarist Dan Tyminski, now doomed to Robert Plant comparisons, arguably out-sings him (see the New Depression lament ”˜Dust Bowl Children’), and Krauss’ soprano gilds Richard Thompson’s ”˜Dimming of the Day,’ a love letter that would welcome Plant’s harmonies. It’s gorgeous without ’em, too.

Key Tracks: ”˜Dimming of the Day,’ ”˜Dust Bowl Children’