Kissin’ Whiskey – Kissin’ Whiskey EP – Album Review

Drawing their band name from a Dave Mathews song, the Americana quartet from Rochester, NY known as, Kissin’ Whiskey, came together as a result of answering a few want ads for musicians.

“Our music is a potent concoction of the shared love of Folk, Rock, Blues and Country music. They call it Americana today.”

That bit of magical kismet led to the foursome of, Michael Kalinowski (songwriting, vocals, acoustic guitar), Adam Schmitt (electric guitar) John Peck (bass), and Steve Scarpulla (drums).

Recorded live, together they’ve released their debut, Kissin’ Whiskey EP, a four-track piece of mellow, Americana gold dedicated to break-ups everywhere.

HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…

Opening with, Rise From Below, a compelling rock chord progression sets the correct mood for that period after a breakup when the heart is paralyzed from moving backwards or forwards…

“And if we’re strangers now
Please tell me how am I to know
If the time we spent is worth anything
What is there to show?
Is this all some indication of where it is to flow?
Can I let it go? Can I grow? Rise from below…”

The melody and near minute-long solo (2:06–3:04) in, What We’ve Been Going Through, have a Dire Straights / Mark Knopfler feel. The focused rhythm and vocal intensity make it feel like the bags are packed and the horizon is on the dash.

A strong The Allman Brothers-esque intro opens, Rochester, a blues-based ode to the bitter winters all northerners face annually. Adam Schmitt’s ax-work is at the heart and soul of it all, and is arguably his best work on the EP. He’s light and airy when he needs to be, and rich and grimy when the time comes.

OUR FAVORITE TRACK… Concluding with depth, heart, and the EP’s best writing is, The Pills, an acoustic tribute to the great lull of one’s life. Laced with just a touch of etheric synth (a wonderful touch), this final track seeks neither to condemn, nor vindicate…

“The shadows have eyes the hold the sea
Sitting down by a lamp post up the street
Seven birds fly higher than I could ever be
Taking all the pills meant for me…”

IN CONCLUSION…
Splendid and raw. An authentic showing of unadulterated, unfiltered, and unembellished Americana. Kissin’ Whiskey’s debut project, Kissin’ Whiskey EP, shows heart, versatility, creativity, and a respectable love of genres long gone. They are classic rock meets rock’n’roll, meets acoustic singer-songwriter, and they pull it off well by checking the correct boxes: relatable writing and bluesy electric solos. Check out, Kissin’ Whiskey EP, below.

WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
An amalgamation of Dire Straights meets Allman Brothers meets Dave Pirner and more…

BELOW: Listen to Kissin’ Whiskey EP, connect with their social media platforms, and find their booking & contact information. Please support Kissin’ Whiskey by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!

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