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Talking About Commas blends thoughtful pop with country and western influences in their new release, Sick of Blocking Out The Sun. The slow, sad steel guitar twang that permeates most of this album makes me want to cry into my beer, while the introspective lyrics and alternative approach make me want to buy a latte and listen to a poetry jam. It's an interesting combination, but it works for this material. Talking About Commas is headed by singer-songwriter Bear Connelly, who writes the songs as acoustic compositions first, and later adds the other instruments. Because of this approach, that stripped-down feeling stays with the album, which suits the folky, homespun material perfectly. Gentle music with honest lyrics, this CD muses thoughtfully on the hectic modern lifestyle in tracks like "Kids, Jobs, Women & Gods" and "Get a Car," where he urges us to "Gather up your money, stick your thumb out and start running to those places you can't prove exist." I love the vocal sound on "Women & Gods" in particular; Connelly's soft-spoken words challenge the status quo, which makes an intriguing counterpart for the more traditional country stylings. The lyrics read like poetry, although it still manages to sound melodic. Overall, this album is thoughtfully done, and well produced. Standout tracks include "Fiction Can Be Fun" and "Plea Bargain," a duet with singer Allysen Callery. My personal favorite cut was the final track on the album, the moody "If I Was." This album has a melancholy feel, and the slow tempo does get a little monotonous at times. The only problem with ballads is that there is always a danger of them blending too much into the background, and not everything on this CD grabbed me right away. But Sick of Blocking Out The Sun is a good effort overall, and one that was obviously heartfelt.