Once upon a time, music was original. Before the carbon-copy releases ushered in by MTV and radio conglomerates, there came the inspiration on which these popular sounds were based. With their new self-titled LP, Billy Talent harks back to those days by putting a new spin on punk rock music.
Billy Talent is quickly becoming a national name in punk music, touring this month with such headliners as Simple Plan, MXPX and Sugarcult. The four-piece group plays a typical mix of guitar, bass, drums and vocals, but that is where the band’s conventions end. “When we started out, there was something different about us,” said guitarist Ian D’Sa. “Rather than trying to emulate popular bands at the time, we embraced our uniqueness.”
Uniqueness is a scary proposition in popular music; it can either be a blessing or a curse. Thankfully, Billy Talent put their originality to good use. The songs differ from most alternative rock you hear on the radio because of their complexity. The guitar-driven melodies are more diverse than the simple power-chord tunes common to the genre. From the opening notes of the first track, “This Is How It Goes,” the album showcases intricate melodies.
Billy Talent top their unique music with lyrics that are equally distant from the mainstream. Rather than forcing humor into songs where it doesn’t fit, the band tells heavy, emotional stories gleaned from their own experiences and the lives of those they have known. “The Ex” is a universal tale about the unfortunate and unexpected end of a relationship. “How It Goes” dives deeper into the darkness of emotions, describing the feelings of a friend who has multiple sclerosis.
The album is very heavy and violent, and while this may draw fans of hardcore music, it could easily turn away just as many mainstream listeners. If there was one thing that turned me away from this album, it was singer Benjamin Kowalewicz’s constant screaming. Screaming can be a very useful means of expressing emotion in music, and it is used well in the superb “Try Honesty.” Screaming can also fall somewhere between the sound of a macaw and Michael Jackson. After “Line & Sinker,” particularly, I felt I needed more than the recommended dosage of Advil. Maybe an elephant tranquilizer.
Thankfully, the band seems to know its shortcomings. They admit recordings don’t suit their style as well as live performances, where the energy and reaction from the crowd can be used to gauge emotion and intensity. “We are a great live band because we know that playing live comes first and everything else comes second,” said drummer Aaron Solowoniuk.
The Atlantic release “Billy Talent” is an “enhanced CD” and includes a video of “Try Honesty.” It offers a glimpse into the lives of a band who call themselves a “walking, talking Seinfeld episode.” While Billy Talent is not the greatest punk release ever, it does include some great songs, like “Try Honesty,” “Lies,” “The Ex,” and “Nothing to Lose.” Billy Talent is also as original as they claim to be, and definitely worth a listen.
Jake Christie can be contacted at [email protected]