Paper Airplane
Alison Krauss · 2011
43 min · 11 tracks · country music
Delicate harmonies and acoustic instrumentation create a rich tapestry of nostalgia and introspection throughout the album.
Top tracks — play these first
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Paper Airplane — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of longing and transience through its poignant lyrical imagery and gentle melody, setting the emotional tone for the entire record.
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Dust Bowl Children — This track draws from historical events to explore themes of resilience and memory, highlighted by Krauss's emotive vocal delivery that resonates deeply with listeners.
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Lay My Burden Down — With its haunting arrangement, this song reflects on personal struggles and the desire for solace, showcasing Krauss's ability to convey complex emotions through simplicity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong songwriting and careful arrangements, creating an engaging yet introspective listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features layered vocal harmonies and a slow, reflective tempo, setting a contemplative tone.
- Several tracks incorporate intricate acoustic arrangements, including strings and mandolin, which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady melodic journeys unfold
- poignant storytelling with warmth
- intimate moments of reflection
- soothing sounds for quiet evenings
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the release of Paper Airplane in 2011, Alison Krauss had already established herself as a leading figure in bluegrass and country music, following her multiple Grammy wins. This album arrived five years after her last studio project, Raising Sand, a collaboration with Robert Plant that had brought her significant mainstream recognition and a new audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dolly Parton· Emmylou Harris· Nickel Creek
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Paper Airplane 3:36
- 2 Dust Bowl Children 3:06
- 3 Lie Awake 3:55
- 4 Lay My Burden Down 3:52
- 5 My Love Follows You Where You Go 4:03
- 6 Dimming of the Day 5:20
- 7 On the Outside Looking In 3:35
- 8 Miles to Go 2:54
- 9 Sinking Stone 4:42
- 10 Bonita and Bill Butler 4:03
- 11 My Opening Farewell 4:09
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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