Description Amazon.com Billy Talent delivers a rock-intensive and at times eclectic disc that highlights the group's inability to write songs that have depth or elements of surprise. True, "In The Fall" has a hook that's as catchy as a soccer anthem and the anti-scenester rant "The Red Flag" proves exAmazon.com Billy Talent delivers a rock-intensive and at times eclectic disc that highlights the group's inability to write songs that have depth or elements of surprise. True, "In The Fall" has a hook that's as catchy as a soccer anthem and the anti-scenester rant "The Red Flag" proves excitingly attitudinal and carries with it a spot on Clash-meets-Green Day vibe; "Falling Leaves" and "Perfect World" demonstrate the unit's knack for crafting ear-perking opening riffs. But each of those tunes--and virtually all those found on II (save the closing "Burn The Evidence")--run out of gas by the end of the first chorus which is consistently placed as close to the front of the track as possible. All that adds up to a highly infectious but equally formulaic record that could have been recorded by a thousand other punk-influenced bands.--Jedd Beaudoin
Album Description Billy Talent's new album Billy Talent II, is the Toronto-based band's first new music since the 2003 release of their breakthrough self-titled debut. Billy Talent II sees the band taking punk to new heights, amplifying the explosive energy and earnest lyricism that made their debut an international sensation. Powerful new songs like "Devil In A Midnight Mass," "Surrender" and "Red Flag" are alive with the band's personal blend of angular angst and irresistible popcraft, all given distinctive focus via singer Ben Kowalewicz' inventive, issues-oriented songwriting.