Benjamin Kowalewicz - vocals Ian D'Sa - guitar, backing vocals Jonathan Gallant - bass, backing vocals Aaron Solowoniuk - drums
The band were originally named Pezz, who recorded their first full length album in 1998... this album only became popular with in the then indie scene in Toronto.
The band became Billy Talent in 2001 after overcoming legal trouble (inspired by Micheal Turners novel)
After releasing their 4 song EP in 2001 'Try Honesty' the band began to attract media attention and finally signed with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Canada.
In 2003 the band released 'Billy Talent' their self titled album.
'Billy Talent' - Discography -
1 - This Is How It Goes 2 - Living In The Shadows 3 - Try Honesty 4 - Line & Sinker 5 - Lies 6 - The Ex 7 - River Below 8 - Standing In The Rain 9 - Cut The Curtains 10 - Prisoners of Today 11 - Nothing To Lose 12 - Voices of Violence
I fell in love with this album the first time i heard it, almost every song is single worthy! I didn't expect to enjoy this at all, but after being persuaded to listen to it thoroughly enjoyed it. Although some people
find Ben Kowalewicz's (lead singer) voice annoying, I find it gives the music that edge that so many other bands seem to lack these days.
Song By Song -
1 - This is how it goes - opens the CD with a quick riff by Ian D'Sa, after the clashing of symbols and the introduction of a rhymic bass line from Gallant, Benjamin Kowalewicz high pitch screeching takes over the verse, this song is trashy and angry fuelled by Bens screaming (not like hard-core, just rocky!) in the verse. An awesome song, 10/10
2 - Living in The Shadows - less anger filled than 'This is How it Goes' There are less screamy lyrics, but Bens signature screeching voice still remains keeping the listener on edge, waiting for more, this is more relaxed and less thrashy than the fist song, yet still a good listen - 9/10
3 - Try Honesty - Their most listened to single to date, also with the most selling singles, 'Try Honesty' is the perfect driving song, urgent and power fuelled. It is full of emotion, especially from Ben in the choruses, he sounds undeniably sadder than in the previous two songs. There is an excellent video which goes with thins song, both are definitely worth experiencing - 10/10.
4 - Line and Sinker - Starts with Benjamin Kowalewicz screeching introduction, followed by three over lapping voices. This song contains more comical lyrics than the other, some of them purely genius...such as the line..."Everybody needs some sympathy, Santa seemed to miss my chimney!" - Just GREAT! 10/10 (my personal favorite)
5 - Lies - An altogether happier song, this can be heard in the riff at the beginning. The lyrics are very repetitive, they basically say that lies are all around, I found this song to be particularly disappointing, a real low to this album. 4/10
6 - The Ex - Putting it bluntly this is a song about an Ex, a good angry song, for when that special person is getting to you! This has a similar riff to the previous song, there are far less screamy parts to this song, which is unexpected, instead of screaming Ben sounds just sounds angry and bitter, sounds kind of like Blink 182's style of singing. 8/10
7 - River Below - Ian D'Sa performs an incredible riff at the beginning of this song, giving it a really powerful start. Although the lyrics border on depressing,("I'm sick and I'm twisted, I'm broken you can't fix it") the song still has loads of energy and manages to uplift these lyrics to make it an all together happier experience! Love how Ben drags out the 'O's when he sings 'Inferno' and 'Below' 9/10
8 - Standing in The Rain - A slower addition to the album, still quirky riffs, but played at a far slower pace, Ben manages to fit the slower song surprisingly well, taking the place of a drug addict prostitute. I really love this song, even though it sounds somber and depressing, when you listen to it its surprisingly satisfying. 9/10
9 - Cut the Curtains - The palm muted introduction is different to the rest of the album, giving the song a darker more gritty field. At some point Ben sounds similar to Axel Rose, really highlighting his lyrical talent. It still has the same screamy essence as the other songs, but sounds more lyrically and musically developed than the other songs. There is an awesome section as the lyrics are repeated and slowly die out, coming back to surprise you just when you think it is just about to end then continue in to the song. Love It! 9/10
10 - Prisoners of Today - Yet another powerful introductory riff, Ian D'So makes a solo singing appearance in the second half of this song, it is a nice change form Bens particularly screamy voice. The song slowly gets heavier and heavier all the way through building up to a climax at the end, with Bens signature screeching. 8/10
11 - Nothing to Loose - This is a very sad song, about something everyone can relate too, his teenage years, eating lunch in the toilet and suffering remarks from self obsessed kids. It is much slower than the rest of the album. The song slowly becomes more and more powerful, building up to Bens screaming, making the song more uplifting than it initially seems. I love this song, another favorite. 10/10
12 - Voice of Violence - After the previous slow song, this one ends the album in a thrashy, raw screaming, rush. Ian and Bens voices merge in to one as the scream out the lyrics in an angry mess. This is a killer song to finish the album! 10/10
Personal Favorites -
Nothing to Loose - An exceptional and unexpected slower song, a good one to relate too.
Line an Sinker - Is my personal favorite, it should definitely should have been released as a single.
Voice of violence - I love this strong angry finish, this really sums up the whole album!
Try Honesty - One of everyone's favorites, it is just catchy, a good screamy tune to dance too (nice screaming, NOT Hard core!!!).
Avoid!!!
Lies - this song brings the whole pace of the album down, it is very repetitive, but annoyingly memorable, This will stick with you all day, but not in a good way!!!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Great songs with original sounding vocals! Disadvantages: Would possibly only appeal to people interested in the rock/punk/emo styles of music
Mar 15th, 2007
exceptional by (10%):
very helpful by (70%):
helpful by (20%):
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