With a voice as pure and clear as Waterford Crystal, Alison Krauss is perhaps the most distinctive singer in any genre. However, on New Favorite she shares vocal duties with fellow Union members Ron Block and Dan Tyminski, almost equally. This album is largely an extension of their work on Down From The Mountain, which was the sister album to the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack. The mixed bag of lovely Alison ballads, sandwiched between traditional bluegrass romps is somewhat disconcerting, but if you're nuts for the Soggy Bottom Boys you'll love it. The highlight for me is her cover of the Dan Fogelberg gem "Stars." As usual, this new favorite leaves me longing for an album of nothing but Krauss' bittersweet, heartwrending renditions. That would be my New Favorite.