Album Review: Love and Theft's "Whiskey On My Breath" shows depth, maturity.

With ear pleasing harmonies and light-hearted melodies, it could be easy to overlook the complexity of Love and Theft’s third album, Whiskey On My Breath.  The new release from duo Stephen Barker-Liles and Eric Gunderson is full of catchy phrases and, well, catchy phrases. Simply put, it's fun to listen to the melodies .  The album is an eclectic mix of songs that can both pull on your heartstrings or make you pour a cold beer (or both).  The album is a departure from some of the more pop sounding country you've heard from them in the past.  

The first track, “Can’t Wait for the Weekend,” gets the party started with the duo promising they can party on any day that ends in –Y.   The tempo changes with the sweet, “Anytime Anywhere” which promises a kiss, you guessed it, anytime, anywhere and features perhaps my favorite line on the album: "Slow dancing just off the blacktop; fireflies falling like electric raindrops." 

Track 3, “Hangout Hungover” brings us to a bar with a hopeful suitor promising his tab is open that night is young. 

We got a good buzz, we’re feeling all high,
We got our hands tangled up in a dance, and we’re feeling alright. 
We got the whole night to keep getting closer,
We got tomorrow, tomorrow to hangout hungover.

The fourth song, the title track, is one of two more subdued tracks on the album.  “Whiskey On MyBreath” slows the pace and pauses the party and adds depth to the album.  The song tells of someone not afraid of meeting Jesus, but knowing that they need changes before they get there.   

The album again goes back to love and fun with “Easy” and “Tan Lines”. The seventh track, “Everybody Drives Drunk” certainly has a title to catch your attention.  Armed with a straightforward melody and catchy harmony, you might overlook the relatable lyrics.  The track outlines the bad choices and decisions everyone makes, whether it be spending money you don’t have, cheating on someone you love, or driving drunk.  I've already seen some negativity over the title on social media and I hope those listening to the album give the song a chance. 

The eight track, “Wrong Baby Wrong” is a song written by Barker-Lilies for Martina McBride.  The final track, “Let’s Get Drunk and Make Friends” brings us full circle back to the party that started with “Can’t Wait for the Weekend”.

In addition to their phenomenal harmonies, the album features great guitar and instrumentals.  Whiskey On My Breath has something for everyone: fun party anthems, somber soul searching, and sweet love songs. 

You can pre-order Whiskey On My Breath here.

My Big Three:
Everybody Drives Drunk

Hangout Hungover
Whiskey On My Breath

Track Listing

1. Can’t Wait for the Weekend
2. Anytime Anywhere
3. Hangout Hungover
4. Whiskey On My Breath
5. Easy
6. Tan Lines
7. Everybody Drives Drunk
8. Can’t Stop Smiling
9. Wrong Baby Wrong
10. Like I Feel It
11. Let’s Get Drunk and Make Friends

And just because it's awesome - 

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