Kathy McCarty

Another Day in the Sun (Rexy Rex)

SXSW Records

Kathy McCarty

Another Day in the Sun (Rexy Rex)

Another Day in the Sun is a significant event. It marks the return of Austin's beloved Kathy McCarty. She achieved that status through Eighties local heroes Glass Eye and her two solo albums, 1994's Dead Dog's Eyeball, an inspired tribute to the songs of Daniel Johnston, and a related EP, Sorry Entertainer, released a year later. Since then, she's married, left Texas and returned, her musical appearances few and far between. Another Day in the Sun makes up for the absences. Its 14 McCarty originals are a rich amalgam of rock, folk, and pop performed with gusto and an immaculate edge. With former Glass Eye bandmate Brian Beattie's producing, McCarty moves from hushed to explosive, starting with the mysterious "Obelisk" and slowly building to the megaphone-assisted blast of "Basement." The folk elements of Another Day echo Richard Thompson, particularly on the glistening title track, as well as the stately "New Shoes." It's no surprise McCarty's work resonates the same sensibilities experienced in Glass Eye, which was one of the most innovative and creative groups of its time. She even enlists another bandmate, Stella Weir, who adds keyboards on two tracks. McCarty's mingling of her clear and cogent vocals with a well-drawn melange of styles marks Another Day in the Sun not only as a most welcome return, but easily one of the best albums of the young year. (Thursday, March 17, 8pm @ Cactus Cafe)

****

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

READ MORE
Thursday Picks & Sleepers
Thursday Picks & Sleepers
SXSW Thursday handicapping by the blurb

March 20, 2015

Wednesday Showcases
Wednesday Showcases

March 20, 2015

More Music Reviews
Review: Johanna Heilman, <i>When We Were Electric</i>
Review: Johanna Heilman, When We Were Electric
When We Were Electric (Record Review)

Doug Freeman, June 30, 2023

Review: Large Brush Collection & Creekbed Carter Hogan, <i>Split</i>
Review: Large Brush Collection & Creekbed Carter Hogan, Split
Tape of tender lullabies envisions a warm refuge for queer people

Wayne Lim, May 12, 2023

More by Jim Caligiuri
Carrie Elkin’s Life-and-Death Folk
Carrie Elkin’s Life-and-Death Folk
Her father's death and daughter's birth upped the stakes of the singer's finest work

April 14, 2017

SXSW Music Live: Richard Barone Presents Greenwich Village in the Sixties
SXSW Music Live: Richard Barone Presents Greenwich Village in the Sixties
Soft Boys, Youngbloods, Moby Grape, Brian Jones’ grandson, etc.

March 18, 2017

MORE IN THE ARCHIVES
One click gets you all the newsletters listed below

Breaking news, arts coverage, and daily events

Keep up with happenings around town

Kevin Curtin's bimonthly cannabis musings

Austin's queerest news and events

Eric Goodman's Austin FC column, other soccer news

Information is power. Support the free press, so we can support Austin.   Support the Chronicle