Star Anna “Crooked Path” (Malamute, 2008)

An alt.country star is born

Sometimes you come across a debut album and realise 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” (the English translation of her Norwegian surname) is not far behind those from the likes of Justin Rutledge and Nels Andrews.

Despite the proclaimed influence of Tom Petty (“the one and only, biggest musical hero influence for me”) it’s the hand of Lucinda Williams that listeners will discern here most. She is only an influence though, as Star Anna ploughs her own path, which cuts right to the heart of the matter. For one thing she hasn’t gargled with quite as much gravel as Williams and, backed by her band the Laughing Dogs, her music is more, well, musical, less the single anguished note and more the complete package. The overall vibe is alt.country with a dash of blues, but there’s the odd hint of funk and a few other curveballs thrown in to keep listeners from getting too comfortable.

The titles tell you what you need to know: “Black Cat Blues”, “Devil Don’t Remember My Name” (a fast and furious workout), “Bed That I Made” and so on. Star Anna though appears to be one of life’s survivors and realists with little time for starry-eyed dreaming. The longing in “If Wishes Were Horses” is tempered with realism (“it takes a long long time to get it right”) while “Space Beneath The Door” speaks of her determination to move on (“I don’t live there anymore”). This view is borne out by her live performances (lots on YouTube) where she and the Dogs deliver no-nonsense music played with the sort of effortless style that makes the E Street Band and Petty’s Heartbreakers so great.

All in all, this may well be the best debut album of 2008 (and yes, I do know it’s only March).

Date review added:  Monday, March 03, 2008
Reviewer:  Jeremy Searle
Reviewers Rating:
Related web link:  Star Anna MySpace site