The duo signed to BNA Records in 1997 and released its debut album, "Beautiful Day in the Cold Cruel World", in late 1998. This album produced three singles: "Guilty," "Better Man", and "She Wants to Rock," all of which charted within the Top 40 on the "Billboard" country singles charts. Pemberton Roach of Allmusic rated the album four stars out of five, comparing its sound to that of "slick, roots-influenced pop artists like Bruce Hornsby, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Glenn Frey" and saying that such a sound "avoid any trace of Nashville clichés in favor of honest, straightforward lyrics and energetic, polished playing." Following the release of this album, The Warren Brothers toured with Tim McGraw and his wife, Faith Hill.