Billy Talent - II

Atlantic Records . release date: 09-18-07 . written by Oliver

Billy TalentThe first apect, that came in my mind when I was listening to Billy Talent´s newest record, simply named II, was that the band has not changed it´s music and it´s style. In my opinion the record has turned pretty good again. The band choosed a simple title for their new record: Billy Talent II. Probably the band intended to tie up to previous sucsesses. An analog title might exclude any mistakes and shows the fans: Nothing has really changed; the music has turned out as good as it was before. Well I am not sure, which record is the better one, because I really like the old and the new material. The cover art on the new record just shows and open mouth with some white teeth. I guess, that the mouth is screaming or even biting trough a kind of linen. I can´t figure out the artists intention here.Billy Talent II contains thirteen slamming Rock tracks in the well known Billy Talent manner. The opener is called "Devil in a midnight mass". The song is accompanyd by an amazing video, that is in the rotation on MTV. How I mentioned before: The Toronto based quartet has not really changed it´s style and so you get again what you need here: Straight Rock music fronted by a brilliant singer, who sounds like a mad warlock, when he starts screaming. Atlantic records decided to release "Devil in a midnight mass" to the curious masses on June 23th. We really love this song, but we are convinced, that "This Suffering" could be the better pick, cause it reminds to recent Billy Talent hits. Anyway, "Devil .." was picked and it is a great song with an amazing video. Ben Kowalewicz said: “We took some time off, spent time with our friends, family and all the different people that need to be connected with". I think this was the right decision, cause the band had enough time to rebuilt themselfes and to create many new ideas for songs. In my opinion too many bands suddenly come up with a new album, after they had a massive sucsess in the media. The result most often turned out bad. Billy Talent had enough time to create thirteen slamming songs, which consist of hard-edges guitars, slamming drum work, great vocal work and huge basslines. “I sing a lot more than I did on the first album,” Ben says. “I don’t want to be known as the Scream Guy, so I’ve worked on that". Well ok, that aspect is true, but it really catched my attention that much. To me and the members in Punk76, the record is a perfect sequel to the previous major record release. The record reveals a lot of personal and intimate aspects. This time Ben has focussed more on telling stories about friends, who falling victim to drug addiction, or about people who don´t stand by their convictions. In general this kind of music piece is really impressive and re-freshing. Once Billy Talent was called a Screamo sensation. I disliked the describtion, cause it was not true- although Ben and his mates was screaming sometimes. Billy Talent is a great Rock ´n´ Roll record, with many catchy songs on. This is a worthy follower record on Billy Talent I.

.: Write a comment about the record :.

Rank: 5 out of 5

Buy this CD at:

Itunes.com Itunes.de
Amazon.com Amazon.de
Ebay.com Ebay.de


Tracklist - Billy Talent - II

TrackTitle
1Devil In A Midnight Mass
2Red Flag
3This Suffering
4Worker Bees
5Pins And Needles
6Fallen Leaves
7Where Is The Line
8Covered In Cowardice
9Surrender
10In The Fall
11Perfect World
12Sympathy
13Burn The Evidence