For their highly anticipated new album “Whiskey On My Breath” out on February 10th, Love & Theft took a different approach, and is releasing this record independently. One thing that has not changed is their instantly enjoyable music. As soon as the first song hits, it is undeniable that this is the work of our favorite country duo, and it is so good to hear that familiar sound again.
“Can’t Wait for the Weekend” is the perfect lively track to open an album that will capture your full attention from start to finish, where “Anytime Anywhere” is a fresh and light declaration of desire that will melt your heart.
“Anytime, Anywhere,
Covered bridge on a country road,
Rolling in the sand down in Mexico,
From the red on your nose to the red on your toes,
I’ll kiss you anytime, anywhere,
Let the world stop and stare.”
In “Hang Out Hungover“, a night out at the bar, drinking a little too much, has never sounded better. The melody flows as if you are swaying through your night, and anxious for the next day.
“Cuz we got a good buzz, we’re feeling all high,
We’ve got our hands, tangled up in a dance, we’re feeling all right,
We’ve got the whole night. to keep getting closer,
We’ve got tomorrow, tomorrow, to hang out hungover”
In their current single, “Whiskey On My Breath“, they shed a more serious light on the subject, and they do the same later in the record on “Everybody Drives Drunk“, a piece about self-reflection.
“Everybody’s been in the place, where you keep fighting and fighting, but you can’t find you’re way”
At some point, our own thoughts have clouded our minds, making us feel weak, alone, or lost. We all drive drunk. A powerful message that has us thinking, or possibly, rethinking.
Many things come “Easy” in life, and in this simple tune, loving the girl is one of them.
As the record moves forward, you are suddenly transported to the nearest beach with a drink in hand, bouncing along to the summery lyrics and island vibe in “Tan Lines“.
Spirits remain high at the start, and till the very last note for that matter, in “Can’t Stop Smiling“, and the title says it all.
“I caught myself looking at the sunset a little longer,
Just for fun I’m pouring my drinks a little stronger,
Ain’t gonna lie and think that I can get used to this,
Can’t keep my eyes off of her eyes, my lips off her lips”
“Wrong Baby Wrong“, a song Stephen Barker Liles had a hand in writing, and a hit made popular by Martina McBride, made it into the track listing. A hidden gem of Love & Theft that their fans love hearing live.
The hot and heavy lyrics in “Like I Feel It” give us that sense of desire, as one eagerly awaits the night ahead.
“If I could ride the sun
And make it come down,
I wouldn’t have to wait for the night to come around”
You can practically hear the begging in his voice as the steamy lyrics pick up.
“Put your lips on my smile, let em stay for awhile,
Can you feel it, like I feel it,
Slip on out of that shirt, you’re lookin’ so good it hurts,
Can you feel it, like I feel it”
The album comes full circle with the help of the jazzy piano lead in “Let’s Get Drunk and Make Friends“; reminding us it is always important to have some good laughs, and a good time.
Their signature flirty lyrics and story telling abilities are still relevant throughout this new record, but their sound is stripped. The musical elements are acoustic and it gives them a unique edge that works perfectly against their already familiar harmonies.
This record flows from start to finish, and not one track qualifies for a skip. It is a must listen, all the way through.
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