Much can be said about today's state of music. Bands like The Early November and Taking back sunday are praised as being brilliant, which couldn't be further from the truth, while "billy talent" remains unknown in the US. I, personally, don't understand why people actually like the crap coming out of every end of rock these days, but they do. With that having been said, don't be quick to write off "billy talent" simply becuase they're lumped in with the used and my chemical romance (yuck!).

The first thing you'll notice is that BT's vocalist is very, VERY unique. He screams, he sings, he mostly sings, but when he screams, it's amazing. He has that amazing range i've yet to hear from any of these so-called "emo/screamo" bands, and although the lyrics maybe aren't as good as others, the music and vocals more than make up for it. thats not to say that the lyrics are bad, no, not at all. Songs like "lies" and "nothing to lose" hint at lyrical genius without being watered down in emo cliches and eloquent double speak.

Indeed, BT is able to suck the listener into anything they say with direct, to the point, no bulls**t lyrics. Think of the way Cold's skooter ward writes a song....think....OKAY, got it? Well, yeah, that's basically how BT do it. I don't need to hear william shakesphere style s**t every time i throw on a record, so the fact that BT isn't all big words with no meaning is refreshing.

Musically though, BT finds their strongest suit. Catchy guitars, atmosphereic melodies, deeply melodic vocals and a breakneck pace keep everything flowing well for all 12 tracks. Never once do i feel the need to skip tracks, and i can't say the same for atleast 40% of the records i own (or have owned).

Billy Talent is not a band to be slept on. Their music is a swift kick in the gut, waking you up from the hum drum world of "emo/screamo/post-hardcore/blahblahblah" crap.

Get it today, and hopefully you'll have time to take in all it's greatness before the follow-up hits stores next year!

I fell upon this album on accident, and I gotta say, I'm glad I did. It has a very original sound. Kinda reminds me of Against Me!, cause you know what genre it falls into, and yet it doesn't really sound like anything in that genre. Weird :) But anyways, check it out, you'll probably like it.

P.S. Oh, and by the way, to the guy who said this sucked and then listed "real music," I gotta ask: do you have a mind of your own? All those bands are bands that are generally accepted my mainstream audiences. Not saying some of them aren't good, but you rarely find somebody who likes exclusively all the most popular bands, unless he's just being safe with his music choices so as to avoid criticism. So to you I either say "wow, somebody who is exactly what mainstream media always thought there might be out there," or, grow up and develop your own taste in music.

First of all, don't try to put this group in a specific genre because you just can't. I won't tell you the guitar/bass riffs are awesome, the melody exceptionnal, each song different...coz I don't want this to be a classic review. If I don't want this is because billy talent deserve more than that. This group is one of a kind that stands out from any other band, any other genre...Even when you're down this cd will give you enough strength to rise again. Everything in this cd is worth the pain, everything. If u have 10-15 bucks to spend and u don't know where to spend them, listen carefully cuz this cd is calling u and telling u "buy me, buy me!"

The only reproach I could make about the band is that, even if they transmit a great energy during their concerts, they sound a little wrong but that's just a minor detail.

I do not typically like punk rock, but I am never one to pass up a new music listening experience. I stumbled upon Billy Talent quite by accident, and now I can't stop listening to the damn CD. I recently purchased BTII, and I don't like it quite as much, despite the fact that it leans more on the rock side then it does on the punk. I definitely recommend this CD to...well, anyone. If I like it, anyone can. My favorite tracks are 'The River Below' and 'Standing in the Rain' although I must say... I like every track. The vocals are unique and rejuvenating and the music is well composed. Perhaps I say this because I'm not a punk music guru... but this CD sounds refreshingly ORIGINAL to me!

Billy Talent is a great band. i don't know if you would call it screaming. it's just great. like high pitched yelling at some parts in songs. you should listen to Billy Talent for motivation. its crazy vocals and cool fast music.