Artist: Rascal Flatts

Album: Nothing Like This

Label: Big Machine Records

Whether it was that unintentional air of overconfidence in the multi-platinum band's previous album title (Unstoppable), the closure of its Disney-owned label (Lyric Street), or something else at work in the fickle world of music making, country/pop act Rascal Flatts felt a passing bump in the broken road that led to the release of its seventh project, Nothing Like This.

Fortunately, members Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, and Joe Don Rooney haven't done anything too drastic here to maintain their A-list status, although landing well at Big Machine Records (home to Taylor Swift) is a cool development. Staying true to what their fans love—killer vocals, flat out feel good rockers, and emotionally stirring ballads—they're simply back with a better-than-last-time take on what the trio does best.

Nothing Like This begins with fun first single "Why Wait," a let's-get-married tune stylistically bringing to mind a sort of countrified cousin to Orleans' 1976 hit, "Still the One." Great as it is, there are plenty of other energetic selections ahead that are equally or even more radio ready. Sure to be a crowd favorite, "Play" celebrates hard-working men and women—the "single mom with three kids and just as many jobs" for example. "All Night to Get There" sounds a lot like Keith Urban at his chart worthiest, its theme of young love better expressed later in the set on the exceptional "Summer Young," an ode to those early-in-the-relationship moments when the stars seem perfectly aligned.

On the softer side, cleverly written breakup ballad "Easy" is easily the standout song thanks in large part to LeVox's golden voice and how well it fits with his unlikely duet partner, British pop singer Natasha Bedingfield ("Unwritten," "Pocketful of Sunshine"). It should be a crossover hit. The front man's high pipes also serve the title track—a sweet tribute to new love, realizing past intimacies were "nothing like this"—with those unique, limber inflections that helped make "What Hurts the Most" such a smash for Rascal Flatts in 2006.

Ultimately, Nothing Like This highlights a talented band clearly back on track. It's also nice that the lyrical content is generally inoffensive and contains a respectful mention or two of God and lasting personal commitment ("Sunday Afternoon," "I Won't Let Go"). If you've ever loved a Rascal Flatts record before, or you're an outsider seeking a slick yet sensitive modern country experience, check This out.

*This Review First Published 11/30/2010