Erin McCarley

By Michael J.W. Stickings

Among my various musical preferences, I tend to like female singer-songwriters, and I recently discovered a great one in Erin McCarley, whose debut album, Love, Save the Empty, is simply wonderful. (For more on McCarley, see her Wikipedia entry.)

All too often, debut albums by new singer-songwriters are weak, top-heavy with one or two catchy singles and little else beyond mediocrity. McCarley is clearly an exception. Her album is strong from beginning to end. In fact, it's quite startling just how good it is. I recommend it, and her, highly.

Here she is on Letterman performing the title track to her album (as good as it is, there are several songs on the album that are even better -- check out YouTube for more, including some excellent accoustic versions, especially "Pony (It's OK)," "Pitter-Pat," and "Lovesick Mistake."):

Oh, here's "Pony (It's OK)":

And here's the beautiful "Pitter-Pat," my favourite song on the album: