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The trilogy unfolds for Billy Talent as their latest album, in yet another nod towards Led Zeppelin’s aptly self titled records, hits music store shelves here in Canada. Billy Talent III explores new grounds while having trouble at the same time living up to high set expectations.

The Good: Reinvention, experimentation with new sounds, took some risks with this album, album covers themes new and old, much darker feel, faster paced songs sound phenomenal, notable tracks; Turn Your Back, Devil On My Shoulder, Rusted From The Rain

The Bad: Too many songs feel a bit too slow compared to previous albums, does not match up to either Billy Talent or Billy Talent II, not as many memorable songs as past albums, feels like the old Billy Talent but something feels slightly off putting, miss Ben’s bouts of hardcore screaming (exception being Saint Veronika), gap of 3 years in between albums, heading in right direction with change just need a bit more guidance to perfect it

Billy Talent, a Canadian band from Streetsville, Ontario, who have dominated the punk rock scene since their beginnings as a band named Pezz in 1993. Since their first self titled release, Billy Talent in 2003 (excluding their previous work as Pezz), they have been playing sold out shows across Canada and all over the world reaching such fame that many bands have never seen nor will see in their time.

This album being another highly anticipated one of 2009, bridging yet another three year gap in between albums for the band, comes off as a hit but at the same time misses many of the notes that the previous albums played too. Billy Talent took a lot of risks putting a lot of experimentation into each song straying away from past albums; many hits and many misses but all in all it seems that they know what they’re doing here so kudos to them on something brand new.

The old Billy Talent we all love and admire are still there; drop D tuning, quick changes in pacing, unmistakable vocals followed by raw and powerful backup vocals, and all the rest. There’s just something on this album that feels a bit more off-putting. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where lies this problem but if I had to pick anything I would have to say that their music has taken a turn towards more slower paced songs.

I’m not too sure what it is about change sometimes, but a band that plays to the same general tune for so many years, you just get so used to it that any change in the least let alone a giant one comes off as awkward and unwanted. Sometimes change is for the best though, a way to break through the monotony of old ways and strive for something new and original, which is exactly what Billy Talent did here. This album is truly original and plays to a different tune of Billy Talent or Billy Talent II and is justified in many ways in their need for change through experimentation but as a warning, those who loved the original two albums may not like Billy Talent III as much.

It’s not to say that this album is without its high points though. There is still plenty to love about the album especially when given a couple listens through. Although there does seem to be the overhaul of slower paced songs there are still some faster paced songs scattered throughout that serve as nice little rewards and treats to the ears. The faster paced songs bring you back into the older style that we all remember with one of the more notable songs off the album being “Turn Your Back” feeling reminiscent of “Fallen Leaves” from Billy Talent II. Another one of the more notable faster paced songs would have to be “Pocketful Of Dreams” which does not feel reminiscent of past songs and showcases how their reinvention and experimentation can work full front.

Another big thing surrounding this latest release would have to be the atmosphere and themes buried within the songs and album itself. Billy Talent III has a much darker undertone and feel to it than past albums and although this release takes on older themes such as suicide, they also present newer themes dealing with things such as self reflection and materialism. It also relies a lot less heavily on the themes of teenage angst which was much more present in their early days with the release of their first self titled album. You can even look at such themes as suicide, which was heavily touched on throughout earlier albums, and see it in a whole new light with one example being “Saint Veronika” and taking the subject into a whole different direction than maybe “Nothing to Lose” took it originally back in the day.

One thing that did frustrate me a bit was that I was always a big fan of Ben’s bouts of hardcore screaming throughout songs. I mean it has almost all but disappeared off of this album with the main exception being closer towards the end of “Saint Veronika”; one of the more darker songs, with a very catchy chorus, and one of the only songs with that screaming I can’t get enough of.

One of the more notable slower paced songs I should mention while nearing the end here would have to be “Rusted From The Rain”. While garnering much radio attention, I have only heard it several times, losing none of its edge for me thus far. It deals with more dark subjects and has this eerie sense of entrapment about it that sucks you in, dealing with self reflection, pain, loss, and suffering; it lowers the mood but at the time picks you up with that unparalleled hard rock that leaves you wanting more.

The album does take a lot of getting used to especially if you were really into either Billy Talent or Billy Talent II, and although the songs may not be as memorable as some of their earlier pieces, after a couple listens through there will be those few songs that stick out and stay with you. Billy Talent III may not have appealed to me as much as their past releases but this was a huge risk that they were willing to make and experiment with to create something unique and original and I have huge respect for them on that part. This album was truly a hit or miss album in my opinion but I know they have their heads about them and judging them through all this I’m certain with just a bit more perfection in this new direction they’re going, the next album will have more talent in it than you or I could ever hope for.

7.1/10

Turn Your Back by Billy Talent
Rusted From The Rain by Billy Talent
Pocketful Of Dreams by Billy Talent

Tags: album