Billy Talent II

Billy Talent II is the second studio album by the Juno award winning Canadian band Billy Talent. Released in 2006, the highly anticipated record was  both a huge commercial and critical success, especially in Canada and Germany.

While it had the same angst, power, and pure rock n' roll that fans  had come to expect from previous releases, Billy Talent II contained some of the most complete and mature songs that the band had ever recorded. As Bassist John Gallant put it, "We wanted to do something completely different from the first record because we had changed dramatically and had learned a lot from personal relationships. Everyone in the band is partnering up and dealing with those issues. The general theme of this record is trust, the lack thereof or breaking up. That seemed to fuel the record."

 Billy Talent II went on to go platinum in three countries, and has been hailed by many critics as Billy Talent's best album. It  is one of the best modern rock records of the last decade. With a number of now classic tracks, memorable hooks, emotional lyrics, great instrumentation, and gripping vocals, it is a record that any rock or punk fan is sure to enjoy.

9/10

Stand out tracks:

1) Devil in a Midnight Mass

This is a very high octane and controversial opening to the album. The song's lyrics loosely allude to the epidemic of priests who are unholy and committ inappropriate crimes. Despite the racy lyrics, the song is a good indicator for what the rest of the record will hold in regards to it's crunchy guitars, fast tempo, and powerful vocals. 

2) Red Flag

Red Flag is arguably the bands most popular song of all time. With it's catchy drum intro, and infectious repeated chorus of: 

"Cast off the crutch that kills the pain

The red flag never meant the same,

The kids of tomorrow don't need today,

When they live in the sins of yesterday"

It is easy to see why. While the lyrics are a bit repetitive for my taste, the track is a modern pop punk classic that shouldn't be overlooked. 

3) Fallen Leaves 

The third single form the album, Fallen Leaves is a song about a heroin addict who ruins all of his personal relationships through his inability to kick his vice. The intro lick to the song is one of the best on the album. With moving lyrics (I never once thought, I'd ever be caught!Staring at sidewalks, hiding my track marks. I left my best friends, or did they just leave me?), a memorable backing riff, and a tasty guitar solo to boot, this easily stands out as one of the bands best efforts. 

4) Surrender

Surrender is by far the slowest song on Billy Talent II, yet, it is also my personal favorite. It's a track that really lets the band shocase their versatility. From the solemn, clean, guitar opening to the haunting backing vocals. This track really differentiates itself from the rest of the bands usually fast punky reportoire. It also has the most emotion and replay value of any song on the album.

Billy Talent II - Billy Talent (2006)

Billy Talent II

Billy Talent II is the second studio album by the Juno award winning Canadian band Billy Talent. Released in 2006, the highly anticipated record was  both a huge commercial and critical success, especially in Canada and Germany.

While it had the same angst, power, and pure rock n' roll that fans  had come to expect from previous releases, Billy Talent II contained some of the most complete and mature songs that the band had ever recorded. As Bassist John Gallant put it, "We wanted to do something completely different from the first record because we had changed dramatically and had learned a lot from personal relationships. Everyone in the band is partnering up and dealing with those issues. The general theme of this record is trust, the lack thereof or breaking up. That seemed to fuel the record."

 Billy Talent II went on to go platinum in three countries, and has been hailed by many critics as Billy Talent's best album. It  is one of the best modern rock records of the last decade. With a number of now classic tracks, memorable hooks, emotional lyrics, great instrumentation, and gripping vocals, it is a record that any rock or punk fan is sure to enjoy.

9/10

Stand out tracks:

1) Devil in a Midnight Mass

This is a very high octane and controversial opening to the album. The song's lyrics loosely allude to the epidemic of priests who are unholy and committ inappropriate crimes. Despite the racy lyrics, the song is a good indicator for what the rest of the record will hold in regards to it's crunchy guitars, fast tempo, and powerful vocals. 

2) Red Flag

Red Flag is arguably the bands most popular song of all time. With it's catchy drum intro, and infectious repeated chorus of: 

"Cast off the crutch that kills the pain

The red flag never meant the same,

The kids of tomorrow don't need today,

When they live in the sins of yesterday"

It is easy to see why. While the lyrics are a bit repetitive for my taste, the track is a modern pop punk classic that shouldn't be overlooked. 

3) Fallen Leaves 

The third single form the album, Fallen Leaves is a song about a heroin addict who ruins all of his personal relationships through his inability to kick his vice. The intro lick to the song is one of the best on the album. With moving lyrics (I never once thought, I'd ever be caught!Staring at sidewalks, hiding my track marks. I left my best friends, or did they just leave me?), a memorable backing riff, and a tasty guitar solo to boot, this easily stands out as one of the bands best efforts. 

4) Surrender

Surrender is by far the slowest song on Billy Talent II, yet, it is also my personal favorite. It's a track that really lets the band shocase their versatility. From the solemn, clean, guitar opening to the haunting backing vocals. This track really differentiates itself from the rest of the bands usually fast punky reportoire. It also has the most emotion and replay value of any song on the album.