Commercials | It’s Not What You Say | CD

Description

The Commercials’ third album their first for a new label is a curious hybrid: side one is made up of five re-recorded songs taken from the multitude of out of print compilations and split E.P.s that the Harrisburg Pennsylvania quartet released before their first two full-length albums. Rescuing the tracks is an excellent idea and their chops and recording budgets have both expanded to the point that songs like the chiming almost power-poppy ‘Six Weeks of April’ sound worlds better than their more skeletal early versions. The second half of the album is a concept album of sorts five interconnected songs charting the beginning and end of a relationship and they’re a remarkable leap from all of the Commercials’ previous work. Incorporating new-wavy keyboards more complex vocals greater dynamic shifts and a lyrical viewpoint that’s emotional without necessarily being ’emo ‘ these songs — particularly the outstanding ‘Vince is Dead’ — suggest that the Commercials are ready to move to a new level making It’s Not What You Say It’s How You Say It a transitional record that both closes one chapter of the band’s history and suggests an exciting new direction. ~ Stewart Mason Rovi