Striking Matches (Sarah Zimmerman and Justin Davis) have written some of the best songs on the soundtrack of ABC’s Nashville, When The Right One Comes Along and Hanging on a Lie (performed by Clare Bowen and Hayden Panettiere on the show respectively). Now, they’re finally releasing their long-anticipated album, and their own version of Hanging On a Lie. Their melodies, amazing guitar playing and songwriting skills combine to a great album, but Justin Davis's singing is occasionally unclear.
Track by track review:
Album Rating: 9/10
- Trouble Is as Trouble Does - I first heard this song when watching a video from the Grand Ole Opry’s Youtube channel, and was amazed by the stage presence both members of the duo had, as well as the amazing guitar playing. Some of the stage presence translates onto the studio version in terms of the vocals, and all of the guitar does in the form of an amazing guitar solo. Some of Davis’ lines in the second verse are unintelligible, but otherwise the song is fantastic and single material. 9/10
- Make a Liar Out of Me - There’s more amazing guitar in the second track, which is a solo song of Davis’s with some backup vocals in the chorus. In my opinion some of the guitar solos would’ve been better kept earlier in the song, as with it being towards the end, it makes the song sound too long (it is almost five minutes long). 8/10
- Nothing but the Silence - The title track of the album is a beautiful ballad, with complementary instrumentation in the background. Some of Davis's lines, however, are hard to hear due to the soft nature of his and Zimmerman's singing. 9/10
- Hanging On a Lie - Overall, Striking Matches’ songs on this album are very stripped down without any excessive instruments or production, and this song is a perfect example of that. The relatively simple production allows Zimmerman’s voice to shine, and when compared to the Nashville version of the song, her voice is much clearer than that of Hayden Panettiere. There is a small lyric change in the chorus (cover up the truth with your poisonous lips vs. cover up the truth with a poison kiss), and maybe it’s just me, but I find the Striking Matches lyric much more interesting. 10/10
- Never Gonna Love Again - There is some beautiful imagery in this song, and the lyrics are incredibly well-written It's an excellent follow-up to Hanging On a Lie, with anger but also a sense of loss and defeat. 10/10
- When the Right One Comes Along - Zimmerman's voice has a bit of a rasp in this song, which is the other song from the TV show Nashville included on this soundtrack. I especially enjoy the songs on this album where Zimmerman sings solo, and this track is flawless. 10/10
- What a Broken Heart Feels Like - Zimmerman and Davis continue to show off their expert guitar playing in this track, which is exactly what it says on the tin. As a whole, their more upbeat songs are better, leaving room for energetic guitar riffs, such as the one in the bridge of this song. 10/10
- Miss Me More - At this point in the album, the amazing guitar playing skills of Striking Matches has already been established, but I'll say it again...it's evident on this track.. This track is quintessential country, talking about two people missing each other. Zimmerman's singing is wonderful, as well as Davis's. 10/10
- Like Lovers - A bittersweet ballad about the end of a relationship, and the best thing is that all the lyrics are audible despite the quiet singing. This song is the kind that would probably be absolutely heartbreaking to watch live, if you didn't already cry listening to the studio version. 10/10
- Missing You Tonight - This song is similar in sound to previous tracks such as Miss Me More and What a Broken Heart Feels Like, without much emotion. It's a fairly solid track, but too similar to other tracks with nothing to make it stand out. 7/10
- God and You - Despite the title sounding like it could come from a Country Song Titles Generator, the closing track on Nothing But the Silence is entirely not-clichéd. It's a truly vulnerable moment on the record, perhaps the most vulnerable, similar to Lady Antebellum's One Great Mystery. Zimmerman's backing vocals highlight Davis's vocals instead of overpowering them, and the lyrics are truly emotional and high quality. 10/10
Album Rating: 9/10
Similar Posts
RSS Feed
