Yacht rock supergroup Studio D’Lux’s new single “Silence is Louder” is a songwriting 101 example of fundamentals at their near zenith. Keyboardist and vocalist Doug Kistner’s-led project enlists the talents of luminaries such as Steely Dan guitarist Jon Herington, Billy Joel’s longtime drummer Liberty Devitto, crack bassist Malcolm Gold, Tom Timko’s woodwinds, and vocalists Glen Burtnik from Styx along with Reagan Richards. This unique conglomeration of talent could produce a disjointed hodgepodge, but under Kistner’s auspices, it comes together as an unified whole. “Silence is Louder” sparkles as an example of classic rock at its best and most relevant.
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Piano underpins the piece. It isn’t hard to hear Kistner’s playing as the origin of the track, the basis for everything that follows, and it leads the way instrumentally following an opening flourish. The assortment of voices shares common ground, but it’s Kistner’s voice that sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s full of emotion, plaintive, and tailor-made for the musical backing. It’s touches such as this that make it clear “Silence is Louder” isn’t so much created as it is born, a song free-floating in life’s ether and waiting for someone to come along, pluck it out, and record it. Studio D’Lux is the ideal band for that role.
The lyrics tread familiar ground with their subject matter. Nevertheless, they are so intelligent that you can’t help but fall into their web and you’ll be hard-pressed to spot a single extraneous word. The precision of the composition helps focus listeners on the song’s essentials rather than distracting them with meaningless tinsel or ineffectual detours. Discipline is one of the chief strengths of this song, it manifests itself in myriad ways, and it’s born from the vast experience that each band member brings to the table.
Two high points that will appeal to a wide swath of listeners are the song’s resounding chorus and Jon Herington’s guitar playing. The former makes excellent use of backing vocals and exhibits the right amount of finesse – it’s the ultimate payoff moment for both the lyrics and vocal arrangement. Herington’s guitar playing is a key component throughout the performance, but it reaches its pinnacle with his solo during the song’s second half.
The song length is another standout quality. Kistner and his cohorts shape this track to a manageable length without ever leaving listeners feeling like they are short-changed. There’s no wasted motion. It’s another aspect of the song born from the years of collected experience that each of the principles brings to bear and is well suited for the song’s message. Yacht rock is a useful label, but classic rock is better. This is a track capable of appealing to young and old alike, as well, thanks to its content and superlative sound. Every element of the cut has been polished to a high sheen without sacrificing authenticity or genuine human emotion. Perhaps it’s that final description that stands out most – “Silence is Louder” is an intensely human song that touches on an experience, however painful, that all of us have shared.
Garth Thomas