Mark McKinney gained Lone Star traction on 2013’s Standing My Ground, but his fifth album doesn’t push the local songwriter much further. Road-worn opener “90 Miles” rides the best moment, and leaves the rest to roll downhill. McKinney falls too easily into triteness both lyrically and musically, sometimes clashing cliches, as on “Rainy Day Money” and closer “Revolution.” Relationship woe and want gets assuaged by even more familiar escapes into alcohol and open highways.

**

Youtube video

Youtube video

This article appears in August 18 • 2017.

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 US

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.