Memphis, Tenn., is so infused with the history of American
music—rock, soul, blues, country and jazz for starters—that
the two are virtually synonymous. The Bluff City’s newest export is
Star & Micey, a young three-piece that arrives full-born with its
self-titled debut CD.
Star & Micey sets the template for the 10 tracks with the
opener, “Salvation Army Clothes”: classic American heart-on-the-sleeve
pop with subtle but essential infusions of Memphis twang and soul.
These lads—vocalist/songwriter Joshua Cosby and his cohorts Geoff
Smith and Nick Redmond—really know their way around a deeply
felt, catchy pop hook, and tracks like “So Much Pain,” “I Am the One
She Needs” and “Late at Night” are as good as pop gets in 2009.
Following Memphis tradition, they also have some pretty great pals
sitting in, including Luther Dickinson from North Mississippi Allstars,
Rick Steff (Lucero, Cat Power) and, most tellingly, Jody Stephens from
’70s power-pop avatar Big Star.
The Stephens connection is key and an indicator of where Star &
Micey is coming from in the bigger picture. Star & Micey was
recorded at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis and released on the
recently reconstituted Ardent Records, which makes it the latest in an
impressive line of acts—including Bob Dylan, Issac Hayes, White
Stripes, Led Zeppelin and Big Star—that have cut sides in the
studio’s hallowed main room.
So, welcome, Star & Micey. You’re already in good company, and
perhaps one day a future generation will name-check Ardent Studios as
the place where Star & Micey first recorded.
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.