Billy Talent

Billy Talent: Billy Talent IIBilly Talent II (2006)
Warner Music Group

Reviewer Rating: 2

User Rating:

Contributed by: CherryColaRainCherryColaRain
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on August 4th 2006Billy Talent. Here's a band that's received comments from both ends of the adjective spectrum, from "amazing" to "horrible," and from "talented" to "hopeless case." But more often than not, they are unappreciated and mostly shunned. Now, I can't fully agree with this for their first release, their s.

Billy Talent. Here's a band that's received comments from both ends of the adjective spectrum, from "amazing" to "horrible," and from "talented" to "hopeless case." But more often than not, they are unappreciated and mostly shunned. Now, I can't fully agree with this for their first release, their self-titled debut. However, Billy Talent II, their second effort (and very originally named) lacks in too many areas. Me, being a pretty big Billy Talent fan, really wanted to like this release. But it just didn't make the grade. In short, if you liked Billy Talent's self-titled, you'll be disappointed with this album. If you didn't like Billy Talent anyway, then this release will not change your mind in the slightest.

First flaw, the CD lacks any strong, fast-paced songs, much unlike Billy Talent [I], which thrived on them. The album opener, "Devil in a Midnight Mass" is probably the fastest song on the CD, but that's not saying much considering it's not entirely quick.

Next, the CD lacks variety. Most of the songs sound too alike; the drum beat barely changes in the transition between any of the songs, apart from the slow ballad-like "Pins and Needles," "Surrender," and the guitar-driven "Covered in Cowardice." The guitar covers the bass in most cases, only showcasing the bass player's talent in a few, minor moments.

And last, but not least, lyric-wise -- the CD droops severely. Maybe it has to do with the fact that II is less angst-filled than its predecessor, yet they're flat out mediocre at some points and occasionally simultaneously cheesy. Benjamin's vocals are not what they were on their self-titled; you hardly hear his anger-filled shouts on II. And for the most part, his voice gets too high for most of the CD, making it somewhat annoying throughout the duration of the release.

I understand Billy Talent was trying a new approach at things, which is very respectable. But they just didn't quite cut it. Some songs do prove to have a light of hope, however. "The Navy Song" has a well-laid out guitar throughout the song, and the way the instruments convey the song fit the lyrics rather nicely. The bouncy "Where Is the Line?" could have fitted almost perfectly into their self-titled release. And the album closer, "Burn the Evidence" is one of the strongest tracks on the CD, managing to close the album extremely well and making it probably the biggest highlight on II.

In all, this just wasn't it. It was a failed attempt at trying something new. But the talent to make something that can make the grade is definitely there. Maybe in a few years time we'll see some improvement from the Canadian quartet.

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

welcome_to_this_neotokyo (August 29, 2006)

Eh, II is the next natural progression for a band like billy talent. Is it as good or as raw as the self titled cd? No, they did that already. this is their pop album, that will garner them mainstream success (as if they didnt have that already) and more fans.

But i will say that if this is the sound of radio pop punk, i'll take it anyday over the likes of green day.

rejectedbyrequest (August 17, 2006)

how the fuck is this pop-punk? you are fucking deaf if you think this is pop-punk, or think this is bad.

don't know who shit in most of your guys' cornflakes but this is one of the best releases of 2006.

Its always easy to spot the pop-punk.

Anonymous (August 15, 2006)

this album is amysing like all thr other albums , they just touch my heart , they knowq how to wrute lyrics, they're incredible

Anonymous (August 15, 2006)

this album is amysing like all thr other albums , they just touch my heart , they knowq how to wrute lyrics, they're incredible

Anonymous (August 15, 2006)

this album is amysing like all thr other albums , they just touch my heart , they knowq how to wrute lyrics, they're incredible

Anonymous (August 15, 2006)

this album is amysing like all thr other albums , they just touch my heart , they knowq how to wrute lyrics, they're incredible

Anonymous (August 11, 2006)

How is the album art like Consumed in any way, besides a white background? Last time I checked Hit For Six has a smashed fly on it... this is a picture of a dude's mouth yelling through a hole.

klonny (August 10, 2006)

don't know who shit in most of your guys' cornflakes but this is one of the best releases of 2006.

Its always easy to spot the pop-punk.

flamebaitnickloving (August 8, 2006)

I guess Billy didn't have any Talent.

rejectedbyrequest (August 8, 2006)

don't know who shit in most of your guys' cornflakes but this is one of the best releases of 2006.

branden (August 7, 2006)

this album art is like consumed's hit for six

except it sucks

Anonymous (August 7, 2006)

correct me if I'm wrong but from what I've seen I think the choice for reviews goes like this:

1. Staff
2. Friends of Staff
3. Seniority based on how long you've been a member
4. Occasional bone tossed to new or not so popular members

You should have a staff review section and a member review section so we don't have to see the same people reviewing every single week.

Anonymous (August 7, 2006)

These guys are almost as shitty as Underoath, and that's not a term I use lightly.

Anonymous (August 6, 2006)

" the most part, his voice gets too high for most of the CD, making it somewhat annoying throughout the duration of the release"

Seriously, I don't think i've ever heard a more irritating voice. A band that surely should have been strangled at birth

SlackMFr (August 6, 2006)

I agree with Thirty Seconds, this band is crap, but with a piss coating to boot.

thirtyseconds (August 6, 2006)

This band is fucking crap

givemeamuseumandillfillit (August 6, 2006)

Will, have you heard the last one?
It's by no means a perfect record or anything, but there's a few very good and interesting songs on it.

RondoMondo (August 6, 2006)

I like the first cd alot, very different and pretty good. One of the better mainstream bands.

david_arquette (August 6, 2006)

Score's for watching Home Alone 2 alone on a Saturday night.

SlowStupidHungry (August 6, 2006)

As opposed to... midpaced radio rock.

givemeamuseumandillfillit (August 5, 2006)

I liked the last one alot, but this one is just slow radio rock.

dev (August 5, 2006)

To "anonymous" 4-down:
Yeah, ok so the site has some very fucking cool art.

But the cover of this album is still godawful. Is it even the same dude? I'll be the first to admit I'm not going to buy this so I can't just look inside...

grealy (August 5, 2006)

these guys are bad. but not "i'm gonna post on them and tell everyone how they're bad". just "i'm not gonna like them" bad.

Anonymous (August 5, 2006)

oh and sorry but Fucked Up are a talentless black hole.

Anonymous (August 5, 2006)

I admit this band isn't for everyone, but that's what I like the most about them. I think they are a talented band that are misunderstood for the most part. My score is for this record. Great but just short of the greatness of the first record.

Anonymous (August 5, 2006)

If you think the album art is "ugly"... oh man. Look at the art on the inside. I know this doesn't say anything about the music, but the booklet art by Henry Fong is fucking awesome. He has some of it up at his website

http://www.henryfong.ca/

and it kicks a lot of ass.

And for the record, I like this CD for the most part, and BT's much more of a live band anyway. And Ian D'Sa kicks ass at guitar.

swingline (August 4, 2006)

if the bronx II butt raped a large inmate and that same inmate had diarrhea the very next morning....this would be the product.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

has anybody heard the Fucked Up track,dissing billy talent?

the song is awful but i give them credit for trying.

almostpunkenough (August 4, 2006)

one of the worst bands ever.

even people who listen to KRock don't like this crap.

niveK82 (August 4, 2006)

I caught a few minutes of these guys at warped tour. the singer sounded like a Canadian as they are potrayed on South Park.

Icapped2pac (August 4, 2006)

I couldn't care less about these guys. I just wanted to say I'm surprised nobody did a Park review yet (although I'm not going to whine or shout about it). I guess maybe that's a reflection on what people thought of it.

Jim_Neighbors (August 4, 2006)

Every time someone listens to this band, a baby dies

gladimnotemo (August 4, 2006)

"creative risks"

Anytime "risks" or "musical progression" are mentioned, you know it's going to be a suck up post.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

great beginning... and it's going weaker and weaker... but the first 3 songs are great... really....

dev (August 4, 2006)

I haven't heard this yet, but I need to point out that is ugly, ugly cover art. Fug nugly.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

I don't understand why so many people dislike this band. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's fair to call them "pussies" when they're the ones taking creative risks, which, if you ask me, pay off just fine, or the most part. It's true that their albums tend to contain their amount of filler, but to be fair, just because a song is slow doesn't mean it sucks. I'll also add that all these guys are standout musicians, and they put on one of the best shows I've ever seen.

drewcifer (August 4, 2006)

Hyperbole aside, these guys are easily in the top five worst bands ever. I dont even know where to begin, hell if i started i wouldn't know where to end.

Piata (August 4, 2006)

While I'm giving it the same score, I'd like to say that as a non Billy Talent fan that occasionally listens to their CDs, I don't see how Billy Talent II is departure from their previous album. In fact, I'd say the biggest weakness of this album is that it sounds too much like their last and the band hasn't grown at all.

Despite that, the last song on the album is a keeper, just on lyrics alone.

johnnydanger (August 4, 2006)

Fucked Up > Billy Talent

XCARLUPANDDIEX (August 4, 2006)

fuck

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

I liked their first record a lot. This one...not so much.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

they need to pick up their labias and try again.

chickswithdicks (August 4, 2006)

I read a review of this album in the newspaper which compared them to DK... I don't read that paper anymore.

the_other_scott (August 4, 2006)

hard core logo > this band

if you don't know, you better ask somebody

el_matt (August 4, 2006)

I haven't heard the album, but i really like their self-titled.

Oh yeah, and i wonder how many "Billy No-talent" jokes there will be in this thing.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

I went and listened to 3 songs on their website. I would say it sounds like a shitty band got really into david bowie and coheed and cambria and decided to combine the worst elements of each with a pop punk edge.

mikeinflames (August 4, 2006)

i've never heard anyone say these guys have talent
because they don't

one thing they do have is really bad haircuts

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

NO TALENT here.

Listen to Fucked Up instead.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

"Wrong. There isn't a correct answer. And even if there was it would probably be closer to Creed or Loverboy or some swill like that."

Looks like you just failed at life.

Jonnyrawker (August 4, 2006)

Billy Talent came into my bar in Vancouver and sat around and ate and had drinks. I respect em so i bought em a round of Jagers... when i brought it to the table they were like... ohh noo we cant drink this... and im like... are you fucking kidding me?? They eventually drank all but one... all in all, they were nice guys, decent tippers but kinda a buncha pussies.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

Crazytown.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

Wrong, the correct answer is The Casualties.

Wrong. There isn't a correct answer. And even if there was it would probably be closer to Creed or Loverboy or some swill like that.

jacknife737 (August 4, 2006)

"Worst Band Ever"

Wrong, the correct answer is The Casualties.

SlowStupidHungry (August 4, 2006)

Isn't this the band that like kicked Fucked Up's ass so badly that Fucked Up just broke up and are living in Billy Talent imposed exile of Canada?

Dante3000 (August 4, 2006)

it was so laden with copy-protection that they might as well have sent it to me in a locked safe with the combination encased in concrete and dropped into the ocean.
Isn't that the case with everything Billy Talent does?
-Dante

cherrycolarain (August 4, 2006)

Damn, ok. Yeah it should have been an "I" instead of a "me". My bad. 100%.

k-dubs (August 4, 2006)

worst band ever.

aubin (August 4, 2006)

I'd like to express some opinion on this record, but while I got an early advance courtesy of the record company, it was so laden with copy-protection that they might as well have sent it to me in a locked safe with the combination encased in concrete and dropped into the ocean.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

shitty review

not saying this band is great or anything.

my friend loves them for some reason.

go back to canada.

ChokingVictim (August 4, 2006)

I just want to be different.

No, I seriously like these guys.

gladimnotemo (August 4, 2006)

Fucked up diss track.

fallingupwards84 (August 4, 2006)

should have published my underoath review instead

DenBez (August 4, 2006)

The first time I heard a Billy Talent song (in Burnout Revenge) I thought it was some sick joke.

The second time I heard a Billy Talent song (on MTV, the one time I watched it in the last year) I broke the TV remote trying to turn it off so fast.

The third time I heard a Billy Talent song was when I saw a video of them playing "Waiting Room" live on the internet. I puked for three hours.

Fuck this band. Fuck this band so hard that they bleed from their baggy vaginas.

Anonymous (August 4, 2006)

more like Billy No-Talent lol amirite

kirbypuckett (August 4, 2006)

Boring...

Shoulda posted my Beastie Boys review.

- Kirby

Archangel (August 4, 2006)

Me really wanted to like this release?