Billy Talent — II

This is an aptly titled record from the Juno-winning Toronto quartet. Billy Talent II plays just like a Hollywood sequel. It has higher production values and a few more slow tracks that are sure to become MuchMusic staples, but it still has balls. At its core, it's not all that different from their debut. However, who said that was a bad thing? What the album lacks in innovation, it more than makes up for with great hooks and serious punk fury. "Red Flag" is 10 times catchier than "Try Honesty," and "Pins And Needles" is a slow number that isn't nearly as grating as "Nothing To Lose." There's more diversity within the tracks, but overall it's the same frenetic, sneering pop-punk we've come to love, with frontman Ben Kowalewicz screeching over Ian D'Sa's jangling guitars. Sure, it's somewhat formulaic, but who cares when the formula's so damn good?

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