Customer Reviews

The Only Thing That Matters

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs second release is the most satisfying Alt Country/Americana albums I have heard this year. Her song writing is nothing short of soul baring poetry delivered hard edged that harkens the best of Lucinda Williams, Tom Pety and Neil Young. Her song writing hooks, "All Her Ghosts", "Through the Winter", "Spinning My Wheels" and "Tripping Wire" are accentuated by the tight guitar of Justin Davis and rhythm section of drummer Travis Yost and bassist Frank Wilson. Star moves in to untravelled territory, speaking in the voice of a serial killer in "Restless Water"; epitomizing the dark and stirring heartbreak of Pacific Northwest noir which is her hallmark. Authenticity is overused these days to point of irrelevance; in the case of Star Anna, she wears it with heartfelt honestly and purity too rarely seen.

This deeply shy and complex woman from Ellensburg, Washington walks, and talks, with gods. And devils. She is an older soul than her 24 years. There is quiet power, violence, a sense of grace and even at times, redemption in her songs and, most importantly, in her voice. Buy anything she produces. You will not be disappointed. This sound, this music was forged along the harsh dry river canyon walls and peaks of bone-dry central Washington. To be buried in deep winter snows and with spring comes more brilliant music from Star Anna. Long may she run...

I can't really say that I like this CD better than her first one. Because they are different. I appreciate them both! The Only Thing that Matters is richer and since it is the newest - it is my favorite! Ha! I love Star Anna's writing. She's deep! Both CDs are great in the car music. As you listen to the music again and again - it gets better and better!

I have seen Star Anna and her band about 5 times here in Seattle and elsewhere and, stacked up against the other great bands in this region, they are at or near the top. Rolling Stone has this lame Name the Cover Contest going on right now, so I clicked through all the candidates and they all basically suck compared to the reality and authenticity that is Star Anna. Buy this CD and listen to it a lot, you will be happy or sad or affected.