Billy Talent
II
Label: Atlantic / Wea

Canadian hardcore punk/alternative rockers Billy Talent officially released their second album this week (although it leaked on June 19 and many of the tracks were available previously from soundtracks, giveaways, etc).

Compared to new songs of their many Warped counterparts, tracks like the first single “Devil In A Midnight Mass” and “Red Flag” are surprisingly cohesive. We’re told many of the tracks address politics and social issues and even the lame bedroom ballads (”Pins and Needles”) don’t suck as much as you would think.

However, I doubt there are more than 5 power chords in the group’s repetoire, and I’d like to hear a few of these 4/4 snores lined up one over another (Nickelback style) for analysis. Yet, there are 13 average-to-good tracks here clocking in over 3 minutes each - pretty good for 4 punks from Canada.

Billy Talent are currently performing on the Warped Tour across the U.S.