Vitality is one thing. Shouty, pedestrian punkiness is enough. There’s nothing substantially wrong with the Toronto-based Billy Talent debut release, but with the exception of the blistering and the grungey single, ‘Try Honesty’ there’s nothing substantially remarkable either.
Perhaps more emotional, edgy and less bubblegum than their animated peers, Sum 41, this is still the kind of breezy, featherlite punk the US has been peddling now for years. However much the anarchy is provided by proxy; Johhny Lydon vocals, serial killer riffs, and non-specific paranoid androidiness. But in a world where the likes of Avril Lavigne can approximate civil disobedience with the flick of a skateboard and a toss of the hair, it’s hardly any wonder that it passes for punk.
What the Gavin Brown produced record does have in it’s favour though is some knockout hooks and a fiery, staccato appeal not heard since the likes of The Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers and the Clash.
It’s not original – it may err on the side of caution – but it’s certainly not unattractive after a few beers.
The same could be said for my wife. But I wouldn’t have paid good money for the privelege…