Billy Talent – III

Releasedate: 10-07-2009; Label: WEA International
By: Nina Mende

Billy Talent (formerly known as Pezz) are a Juno award-winning Canadian band formed in 1993 in Streetsville, Ontario. The band consists of Ben Kowalewicz (lead vocals), Ian D’Sa (lead guitar and backing vocals), Jon Gallant (bass guitar and backing vocalist) and Aaron Solowoniuk (drums and percussion). The band existed for almost a decade before mainstream success. The members met and played in high school under the name Pezz and remained underground in Toronto’s indie music scene until 2001. The band renamed itself Billy Talent after running into legal trouble with the old name. It was then that Kowalewicz’s connection with a worker in Warner Music Canada’s A&R landed the band a record deal and launched them into mainstream success.[9] Since then, Billy Talent has made two multi-platinum records in Canada,[10] and continues to expand their success overseas, this included touring for 20 months supporting their second album. They have currently released their fourth album Billy Talent III on July 10, 2009.

This album does not differ from all the other Billy Talent albums we know. The sound and typical style stays the same. As well as the album structure: you have a sad song, a few very danceable songs suitable for radio play, some “festival songs” and some songs which will be somebody’s favorite. In some of the songs you can find the “Rusted From The Pain” riff in a similar variation. “The Dead Can’t Testify” made me pause for a moment. The lyrics are extremely personal and honest, it’s a somehow sad song and very emotional. But besides that one I don’t find any song too outstanding. But I like the beginning of “Diamond On A Landmine”, but it soon goes back to the typical Billy Talent sound.
The booklet is mostly held in black with war symbols as well as peace doves. You can also find all lyrics in the plain booklet.

I wonder if  Billy Talent will ever change or develop their style. But I guess I will have to keep on waiting and will have to see. Maybe someday I won’t find every song sounding extremely similar to the previous one…

Tracklist: 01. Devil On My Shoulder 02. Rusted From The Rain 03. Saint Veronika 04. Tears Into Wine 05. White Sparrows 06. Pocketful Of Dreams 07. The Dead Can’t Testify 08. Diamond On A Landmine 09. Turn Your Back 10. Sudden Movements 11. Definition Of Destiny

Links:
Billy Talent MySpace
Billy Talent Official