In fact, there is a song that seems built around rejecting certain cliches (while never coming across as being about that) in "When the Right One Comes Along," one of the standout tracks of the collection (who am I kidding, though? Almost every song on this album stands out as unique and beautiful). In "When the Right One Comes Along," (a song that was featured on the ABC Television Drama "Nashville," the singer comes right out and says that there's no confetti or people cheering, there's no big special effects, but that when the right one comes into your life, it's just something that you know.
Another standout track, "Like Lovers" is reminiscent of Chris Young's "Tomorrow," but never feels like it's trying to imitate that song. In this song, a couple breaking up suggests one last night of love before making a clean break.
The title track, "Nothing But the Silence," is another great track. And on the album opener "Trouble Is As Trouble Does," this duo shows that country can still be up-tempo, it can still be about having fun and about raising some hell, without delving into cliches or turning itself into complete rock.
The entire album has a completely fresh feel. It's contemporary country; it's not purely traditional, but it feels like a natural evolution of country music without abandoning its roots or its heart.
This is an album that will find a long-standing place in my iPod. It's an album that will easily be a contender in my end of year Top 10 List.