Tom Petty, Steve Earle, Roy Orbison, Iggy Pop, the Velvet Underground, Nico, Mark Lanegan, The Shins, Townes Van Zandt,Mark Lanegan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Cat Power, Uncle Tupelo, Neko Case, Beck, Radiohead, Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Oh Suzanna, Mark Dillingham, Otis Redding, Chris Isaak Elliot Smith, Jesse Sykes, Indigo Girls, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, The Pretenders, Mark Pickerel
Sounds Like
Truth, heartache, pain, hope, redemption, loss, gain, lust, sorrow, and love.
"MUSIC REVIEW - Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs - The Only Thing That Matters (self-released)
Remember that girl you met at the bowling alley? The one that chews gum, drinks several pitchers of beer, wears painted on jeans and tells you about French philosophy then winks at you as she gets strike after strike? She later on she goes and breaks your heart but you don’t care, you’re just glade to have been there to enjoy the time you had with her. No? Well Star Anna reminds me of that girl.
Well maybe not Star Anna personally but her music. It’s equal parts trashy Americana-laced rock mixed with sophisticated storytelling and charm that raises Anna and her band, The Laughing Dogs, to the a gritty level of greatness. It’s a gazing at the starts from the gutter kind of thing…
All the above qualities are on display in the opener Sleep My Darling. A woman sings to her lover to leave the world behind and to take refuge in her arms. The gentle solo guitar gives way to full band and then all comes head before calm returns and is then is again ditched. With this aural bi-polarism I’m left wondering if the woman’s arms are a sanctuary or a prison, but the song is so good you know you’re going to stay either way.
Through the Winter slinks along with vibrant 70’s Byrds/Stones swagger. Anna’s delivery of personal lyrics make her at once confessional and defiant, vulnerable and brave. Hawks on a Pole booms like a Lone Justice or Melissa Etheridge rollicking rocker and Justin Davis’ guitar especially cooks here. Where I Come From is a lovely, yearning number that takes us back to a more honky-tonk feel that defined much of Anna’s first CD Crooked Path.
In this world of many drinking songs you can now add as one of the best Spinning My Wheels which features the great line “I’m just sitting here spinning my wheels, but I’m not drunk enough to feel like I’m free” Though more rocking like the great Country drinking songs it’s one part pining and three part I don’t give a shit. Burn is a Pretenders style pop-punk gem and For Now and the dark tale of a serial killer Restless Water, show what Anna can do with a slow moving ballad, her singular voice breaks and swells with aching.
Aside from longing and lost love (or at least the opportunity thereof) if there is a theme to be picked up on The Only Thing That Matters it’s leaving. Nowhere is that more apparent on the Running Man. The languidly jazz tempo thrown down by Frank Johnson’s slinky bass and Travis Yost’s syncopated drums slowly builds and erupts into a declaration of dereliction.
The closer Tripping Wire was a 2AM solo guitar cut and Anna really shines on it. This is the voice that cut through all the previous rockers all but standing on it’s own and shining like a dusty, dark jewel.
As heartbreaking as many of the songs are this is not a sad album, and though there is an element of moving on it’s not a chick therapy album.
It’s a cathartic jubulation that stands as another exceptional release from a master crafter of songs and her great band." Baron Lane Twang Nation
"Sometimes you come across a debut album and realize that you’re in at the birth of a major new talent. Such an album and such a talent is Star Anna Krogstie, whose “Crooked Path”...All in all, this may well be the best debut album of 2008 (and yes, I do know it’s only March)." Jeremy Searle, Americana UK
"(Comet) A couple weeks ago, Star Anna gave me goose bumps. She was performing an Old 97's cover at the Round, a monthly music and art series at the Fremont Abbey. The song was the embittered "Wish the Worst for You," and her strong, country- tinged voice was laced with the crazy passion of a women scorned. It was even better than the original, and Star Anna's vocals are just as perfectly emotive in her own material. That night she also played a song called "Restless Water," a haunting and sad story about a serial killer and his prey. Her lyrics balanced precariously between being the sacred victim, the spooky-as-f*** criminal, and the sad narrator—her imagery transported you to the foggy, dark, damp scene of the crime. I can't recall ever being so scared by a song." Megan Seling, The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
That sounds awesome! And good for you!!!!! I'll be in ellensburg for like a month after I finish my finals Dec. 7th...so I'll be able to come hang out with you anytime!!! It'll be great! I'm so proud of you! Keep up the good work!
Hey buddy, just wanted to say you amaze me!! Oh and I just checked my e-mail and saw something about you doin a show for MTV!! How awesome is that?!! Congrats for everything, love you bunches!! I know you're goin on to bigger better places real soon so I just wanna say one more thing, don't forget me when you're a star... wait, you're already THE Star!! lol... and by the way, your Raw Space show the other night was INCREDIBLE! You've come so far... again I must say I'm amazed...! Ttyl...
Hey buddy, your new music rocks my soul...your so talented. I love you, miss you. Lets get together soon, ill be intown this weekend. Call me if your around. Oh, "Through the Winter" is like the best song ever... :)
Hey, Sorry I missed the show at the conway muse. Something came up that night. Thanks for the heads up, though. I'll keep an eye out for your next show on this side of the mountains. Take it easy, but take it. Tyler
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD, WE DID IT. ABSINTHE ROSE IS ON ITUNES! HELP US OUT IF YOU GOT 2 BUCKS OR WRITE A REVIEW ON THE ITUNES THAT IS FREE AND IS WELCOMED!
LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE SONGS!
Take care of each other and thank you
Kimbo Rose Workman and the team from SCREECH OWL RECORDS!
Ha, ha, i just found that ridiculously hilarious... I was gonna tell you, my first day of class this quarter, i'm trying to pay attention to my prof, and all i kept thinking was science class with you, or anyclass with you for that matter, and i start laughing to myself, trying desperatly to controll my laughter. Didn't really want to look like the "creepy" girl on my first day of college...but, oh well. I miss our time in school, no one was as socially awkward as this dinamic duo. Anywayz, i really miss you. Me you, martin and ryan should plan a night to hang out. You should come play here at this lovely "Desert Oasis"...come see my place. Love ya, talk to you soon.
hey i just heard spinning my wheels, i love it... your amazing star. keep bearing that talented soul. oh and add running man so i can put it on my page:) hope to see you soon. by the way philip said he was more scared of you kicking him in the balls than he was of my uncles when we first started dating and we ran into you at the bar. you sweet i would kick anyone in the ball for you too! then i when they scream why???? in pain i will yell you know why!!!!! lol
We really had a lot of fun playing with you guys at the Yakima Sportscenter last night. Hope we can do it again sometime. Really enjoyed your music. Thanks.
hello! i live in ellensburg(just moved here) my buddy jason cliffton showed me some of your tunes and wow! nothing short of amazing! i gotta say, i dont usually listen to this genre of music. but theres something about your voice and your lyrics. keep doin what your doin star! your great!!
