Music equals drowning puppies

A Hundred Miles Or More is an odds and sods collection of songs that Alison Krauss has contributed to soundtracks, duets from other artists' albums and five previously unreleased tracks -- thus, the fact it's inconsistent is a given. Indeed, the only real constant is the sheer loveliness of Krauss' voice -- sweet and smooth and unpretentious, it elevates every song (even those that don't deserve it). Well, her voice, and that most of the tunes are incredibly depressing. To steal a Futurama joke: "Is there anything sadder? Only drowning puppies -- and there'd have to be a lot of them." So, what tracks should you buy from your favorite (legal) download service and what should you leave behind?\nThe finest moments are Krauss' famous a cappella version of the traditional hymn "Down To The River to Pray," from the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" soundtrack, and "The Scarlet Tide," from the "Cold Mountain" soundtrack. The former, if you haven't heard it already, builds from the ringing sincerity of Krauss' lone voice into a gospel choir of … well, heavenly beauty. The latter, a subtle, stripped-down anti-war ballad penned by Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett, is absolutely heart-wrenching. \nOther highlights include haunting Celt-inflected story ballads "Jacob's Dream" and "Molly Ban (Bawn)" (both reminiscent of Loreena McKennitt), pop-country tune "Simple Love" and torch-song "You're Just a Country Boy." Decent, but not great, are entertainingly over-the-top country weeper "Whiskey Lullaby" (with Brad Paisley), bluegrass standard "Sawing on the Strings" and "Baby Mine" (a cover of the song from Disney's "Dumbo").\nHowever, avoid "Missing You" at all cost. A duet with John Waite, covering Waite's 1984 classic radio staple, it sounds like karaoke despite Krauss' talents, and is the turd in Hundred Miles' crystal punch bowl. Krauss' other duet with Waite, a cover of country-legend Don Williams' "Lay Down Beside Me," is better but still rather pedestrian -- as is fellow slow-dance shuffle "Away Down The River," duet with James Taylor "How's The World Treating You," "I Give You His Heart" (from the "Prince of Egypt" soundtrack) and piano ballad "Get Me Through December." Meanwhile, all Krauss' efforts can't save "You Will Be My Ain True Love," another "Cold Mountain" track, this time written by Sting, which demonstrates why English-teachers-turned-rockers-turned-medieval-revivalists shouldn't try to write Irish folk-songs.\nIn sum: Don't get the whole thing unless you're a Krauss completist. But it does beat drowning puppies.