Billy Talent
II
(Warner)
With the amount of time spent recording its sophomore album, aptly titled II, one would think that Billy Talent were going to come up with a new wheel. Unfortunately one of the more hotly anticipated albums of 2006 is burdened by the old adage if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There is no grand about-face in terms of the band’s screamo-tinged alt-rock sound, and so II is a letdown. Despite the promise demonstrated by lead single “Devil in a Midnight Mass,” this album leaves you wanting more from it than the same old songs. The same energy and vigour from Billy Talent’s debut remains, helping II to be good album, just not a great one.
—Trevor Savory