Billy Talent

Billy Talent: Watoosh! [reissue] (as Pezz)Watoosh! [reissue] (as Pezz) (2005)
Warner Music Group

Reviewer Rating: 4.5

Contributed by: CherryColaRainCherryColaRain
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on December 25th 2005Before Billy Talent there was... Pezz. As courtesy of the guys behind the amazing punk rock act Billy Talent, the release of their old work, back when they were the high schooler band know as Pezz, has found its way back into stores. Yes, even in their early years, Billy Talent always had an a.

Before Billy Talent there was...

Pezz.

As courtesy of the guys behind the amazing punk rock act Billy Talent, the release of their old work, back when they were the high schooler band know as Pezz, has found its way back into stores. Yes, even in their early years, Billy Talent always had an amazing amount of talent, and their angered and troubled sleeper of a vocalist Benjamin always had the knack for writing incredibly straight-foward, in-your-face, sarcastic lyrics. The first time I listened I was found with my mouth open, for it's not close to raw anger that Billy Talent now holds, but it's sarcastic humour being spat at you from the speakers from a much younger Benjamin and Ian who at this point didn't have his trademark tall hair. Pezz may not be the anger-guided Billy Talent most of us have come to known, but it's definitely a must-have and a must-listen for any fan of good punk rock.

The CD starts with my personal favorite "M&M." It's a very mid-tempo song about being a freak in school, and most of the CD stays to the style that this song sets. Lyrics like "You called me a freak, join the circus you clown!" put a nice smile on my face, and the guitars, which carry an almost surfer vibe to them, let the song flow nicely; the production is a bit of a problem, but the songs are so good one tends not to notice. The album's second song, "Rita," has verses between Benjamin speaking and whooping, which just seems so playful it's hard to stop listening because you want to know how the song ends. Another personal favourite is the fast tempo track "The Warmth of Windows," which in my opinion, along with "M&M," are the main roots of Billy Talent's creative sound. Now, while the sarcastic lyrics are not comparable to their new counterparts, they still give the listener a good chuckle, and again, definitely show where Billy Talent came from. A downfall is the band's trying too hard to be funny, and sometimes it just doesn't flow like their newer material; as well, the production job leaves the guitars and bass far too loud over the vocals and drums, making it hard to listen to Benjamin's already rapid spitfire of words. But if you give it time (and a few glances at the lyrics) you'll find this CD to grow on you very fast, Billy Talent fan or not.

This was definitely an awsome gift from Billy Talent to their fans (my guess is for the delay of their new album, which should come out in 2006). It's not the best material by the Canadian four-piece, but it's definitely a must-have for any Billy Talent fan.

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

ceymooney (June 21, 2010)

this is cey from pezz. anyone want those records mentioned drop me a line @ ceylon.mooney at gmail.com

we're still together and sometimes do too much, but damn we still like this. young til i die for real. we took a break for a coupla years around 2002 - 2005 or so and put out 2 records since we started playing again. we don't do any touring, but sometimes play @ the fest in gainesville or a nearvy show. drop us a line any time.

nVidia725 (October 11, 2006)

bitch stfu, Bily Talint rulze!!!!!! The whole BT I is straight fiyah, gunna go cop Watoosh right now!

cherrycolarain (December 31, 2005)

You know, I am Terribly sorry for saying Billy Talent so much. I mean, you know, this was only their first try at putting out a CD, and it just the same guys, with almost the same vocal style.

I really went overboard.

Anonymous (December 31, 2005)

wow. m & m is my fav song on this CD(stop calling it a god damn "Record"!!) also..... AND IT BLOWS OUT THE ASS!!

Anonymous (December 31, 2005)

Not great, not terrible. Not nearly as fun to listen to as Billy Talent. Still, it is a recording by high school kids, so naturally it's not quite on the same level. Solid first outing that lays roots for better things to come. (oh yeah, can you idiots please leave all the *sucks dick* comments in the sandbox with your tonka trucks? grow the hell up)

Anonymous (December 26, 2005)

"the amazing punk rock act Billy Talent"

AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!! please.

Anonymous (December 26, 2005)

I like BYO Pezz and real life pezz 100% more.

sirens (December 25, 2005)

I dont like billy talent so I dont think Ide enjoy this, but dont suck the bands cock next review.

maverick (December 25, 2005)

I like Pezz (from Memphis). Their pre-BYO album, Livin' The Life Of Riley, kills. Their BYO stuff was good, too, but damn, that record was awesome.

Oh, I like Billy Talent, too.

I should probably pick this up sometime, as I've been waiting for a new BT record for the better part of a long time.

-Scott

Anonymous (December 25, 2005)

I think we should start a competition here: let's see how many times a person can say the words "Billy Talent" in a review before they start to feel like a total ass.

Because I bet most people couldn't get anywhere near the tally this reviewer managed.

I mean, I like Billy Talent and all, but I don't want to see those words appearing in every other sentence in a review about band that's.... not Billy Talent. It's just... lame.

rkl (December 25, 2005)

fanboy deluxe, christ. seemed like the reviewer spent more time jizzing about billy talent than he did this actual record.
scores for the review, which only gets that high because of decently formed sentences.

Anonymous (December 25, 2005)

thought this was Pezz, from memphis. Anyone know how to get the posthumous cd they put out after they broke up, that had like a full length and a 7 inch on it?

wyzo

Cos (December 25, 2005)

Thank GOD this isn't the BYO Pezz. I saw them with Leatherface years back and they put on such a great show. They are missed...

--Cos

notfeelingcreative (December 25, 2005)

"So wait a minute, is this the Pezz that was on BYO?"

No it isn't, and if I were looking through racks at my local record store, I would probably be inclined to believe that Memphis' Pezz had reformed if I saw this record, wasting ten dollars of my hard-earned cash!

Scruffy (December 25, 2005)

Billy Talent is AWFUL. I saw them at the 04 Warped Tour, and they were only bested in sucking by The Kinison. And this was a date with Good Charlotte and NFG.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (December 25, 2005)

I think their earlier material is good and everything, but it was when they turned into billy talent they nailed it, I still listen to that cd alot.

Anonymous (December 25, 2005)

Billy talent is fucking horrible and so is this. Please don't confuse this flaming pile of shit for the Memphis, TN. Pezz.

---Trav.

TheOneTrueBill (December 25, 2005)

So wait a minute, is this the Pezz that was on BYO?

Anonymous (December 25, 2005)

At first, I thought this was a "lost" record by Pezz that was on BYO. They were great, a lot like Jawbreaker.

RondoMondo (December 25, 2005)

Billy Talent is a good band. Better than half of the emo/indie/metalcore tripe.

RondoMondo (December 25, 2005)

Billy Talent is a good band. Better than half of the emo/indie/metalcore tripe.