Billy Talent - Billy Talent
Released September 16th, 2003
Benjamin Kowalewicz, Ian D'Sa, Jonathan Gallant, Aaron Solowoniuk
Genre: Punk rock
I fucking love Billy Talent. They are one of those childhood bands that I used to listen to a LOT, so this is going to be a very biased review. Let me assure you though, Billy Talent kicks ASS. Ian D'Sa is an absolute BEAST when it comes to the guitar. He isn't the best on background vocals but he is an absolute killer on guitar. You'll hear some of the most unique sounding riffs and songs from these boys.
Thoughts & Feelings?
This album makes me feel like I'm in an infinite mosh pit, where everyone is sweaty and screaming and going crazy. We're all in our 20's - 30's but we're all imagining we're 13 again, going through simple problems at high school like grades and girls. We're all angry and angsty.
As I said in the intro, I am very biased. Get into this band, because no one I know likes this band besides my best friend and his wife, Jarrod and Bella (shoutout to you both). This band is actually from Mississauga, Canada which is SUPER close to me. Shoutout to you Billy Talent for being so close to me.
Let me get this out of the way. The vocals. Not everyone is going to enjoy the vocals very much. I personally think Ben does a great job in the studio versions of songs, but live performances are a bit lacking and harsh on the ears. I've talked to local guys near me and they say that the reason they sound poor live is due to background vocals. I don't know if I necessarily agree with that since I don't really enjoy Ben's voice live, but whatever. Just a point to be made. Take a listen to the vocals and either get used to them or get out. For me, I got used to it and actually enjoy his style of singing very much. You know it's a Billy Talent song in less than a second after he starts singing. Ben has a very unique voice, almost like he's not even singing- more of just yelling. It's great.
Ian D'Sa's guitar skills in this album and future ones is unmatched. His ability to make unique, interesting, and memorable guitar riffs / licks is masterclass. Every single song guitar wise lands perfectly. Listen carefully to the riffs underneath, and you'll understand what I'm talking about. I have never seen a Billy Talent song not in Drop D, so if you know of any, leave a comment. If you're a guitarist, please try playing some of these songs. Some of them are ridiculous tongue twisters that'll require a lot of practice in order to nail.
Smash or Pass?
This Is How It Goes - SMASH. This song is sick as fuck right off the gate. Get USED to this sound and this style, because THIS IS HOW IT GOES. This is how Billy Talent is. They are loud, have sick ass riffs, and will kick your teeth in if you're not ready. Screaming fast paced punk rock song to get you going. Band does a great job announcing what you're about to listen to. The bridge is also sick as fuck.
Living in the Shadows - SMASH. The guitar is sick, you're gonna read me say that a lot. The guitar is always sick no matter fucking what. This song is VERY different than the first song. It's a lot slower paced but sounds like you're on the fucking train tracks. A bit screamy (making note of that cause most people don't enjoy it, I fucking love it though) during the chorus.
Try Honesty - SMASH AS FUCKKKK. This is most likely one of those songs you've heard before if you've heard Billy Talent, and it's no surprise why. This song kicks ass. It's grungy and groovy, and has some great riffs. The vocals are really great in this one. It's super catchy and super enjoyable.
Line and Sinker - Smash. Kick your fucking face in, knock your socks off, this song is balls to walls. Immediately screaming and going crazy. This song is probably perfect to mosh to. This is just pure punk rock, and this is the kind of shit that drives me wild. This song isn't even that great, I just fucking LOVE how much energy and passion there is.
Lies - Smash. This song is groovy as fuck. Definitely not as heavy and fast as the last few songs, this is more of a slow heavy jam. The chorus is pretty mid but other than that it's an enjoyable song. I don't think this is the kind of mosh pit go crazy song that this album is known for, but it's still a solid song that doesn't deserve to be skipped. The bridge section is excellent.
The Ex - SMASH. This song is groovy as fuck. No surprise at all to me however. This band has a great way of making songs that get you headbanging. The fucking CHORUS OF THIS SONG is so insanely good. I fucking jam OUT to this chorus. This is the first chorus of any of my reviews that has had me actively singing at work, to the disruption of my co workers. I also love how they just end the song so abruptly on the chorus. S tier ending.
River Below - SMASH AS FUUUCCCKKKK. You've probably heard this song. I get chills listening to this one. Just like Try Honesty, this is a song that's in the back of your brain that you totally forgot about since 2003. This song kicks ASS. Everything works here. Especially the chorus, it's super unique. This is one of those songs that was always on the radio, and it's no surprise. This song and this album and this band kicks ass.
Standing in the Rain - SMAASSHHH. This is one of my PERSONAL favourites just based on how groovy it is. I understand that it's not the most popular songs on this album, but this one is just so fucking enjoyable to me. I have good memories of being in college vibing to this song at like 5am, because I stayed up all night. The chorus is just so sexy, and holy FUCK the bridge section is GODLY. The way it breaks down and changes completely but remains faithful to the song is so fucking impressive. That shit gives me chills.
Cut the Curtains - Smash. This is probably the song you'll enjoy the least on this album. The guitar is SUPER heavy and crunchy which is great, but the chorus is so... not quite there. I think it's fantastic just because I've listened to this song hundreds of times but I can understand people listening to this song and thinking "....eek". Despite that, there's a lot to enjoy here underneath. The solo is SICK. The bridge is SICK, and I fucking ADORE the sudden reintroduction to the chorus. That shit is punk rock.
Prisoners of Today - SMASH AS FUCK. This song is SO underrated. Everything on this song works for me. The guitar is fucking fantastic as per usual. The structure of this song is so fucking jammy. I can't describe how much I love this song. It's fucking enjoyable. It's a shame I can't give more medals to these songs because this one deserves it. It's such a nice change between being fast and aggressive to being slow yet still heavy. There are so many parts to this song, I get so excited every time I remember there's a certain part coming up.
Nothing to Lose - SMASHHH AS FUUUCCCKKKKK. You know this one. This is one of the big ones on this album. This song is not fast and aggressive, this song isn't in your face kick your teeth in, this song is the complete opposite. This song is I'm fucking depressed, and you're the reason I killed myself. This one has a great music video so please check it out, but I'm not putting it below because this song is so much different than any of the other songs on this album. This song gives me fucking chills listening to it because it feels so fucking real. This song and it's meaning is SUCH a reality. Be nice to people please.
Voices of Violence - Smash. Back again with the fast aggressive punk rock, the perfect energy to end this album. This song isn't amazing but it's still worth listening. I really really fucking enjoy the chorus of this song, probably because it's so catchy and unique. Lotta screaming in this one but I fucking love it. I especially love nearing the end where Ben sings Voices of Violence but not screamy for the first time in the song, nearing the end. It's absolutely ridiculous. This is a great song, and a strong finish.
Conclusion
This album kicks ass. It's difficult for me to say which one of the Billy Talent albums is my favourite, but based on how many good fucking songs there are on this album- this is a good contender. I highly recommend checking out the medal songs, as you've probably heard them before and completely forgot about them since 2003. They are great listens and deserve to be featured in your playlist. The vocals are wildly good if you appreciate the style, the guitar is absolutely out of this world, everything else works perfect. This album is incredible.
What do you guys think? Do the vocals ruin it for you or can you appreciate the guitar above everything? Let me know and leave a comment, thanks! Love you all.
RANK: A+
- Sharky
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