I decided to review my favorite album of all-time song by song. Overall, I'd rate it a 1979/100. This is just my opinion on how I like the songs, if you disagree, that's okay. I'd also like to know how the general public likes each song.
1) "Devil In A Midnight Mass" 96/100
A fast, nice start for the greatest album ever made. Once you hear Ben Kowalewicz's scream, you won't turn your CD player off until "Burn The Evidence" ends. The song is about a priest who sexually abused children... sweet! It also has one of the best outros out there with the "whisper, whisper" thing that can send a good shiver down your spine.
2) "Red Flag" 95/100
Probably the most popular song off the album, "Red Flag" is a very good addition. With an ultra catchy chorus, this track will not dissapoint. The only problem that song could have is that the rest of the songs off Billy Talent II are more complex, if that's the proper word. Still, that isn't going to hold "Red Flag" back from being one of the powerhouses of II even with all of your friends repeating this anthem.
3) "This Suffering" 98/100
"This Suffering" is one of my favorite tracks (along with 1,2, and 4-13). This proves that Billy Talent's back-up vocals from guitarist Ian D'Sa and bassist Jon Gallant can really do something to a song. The whole album actually makes good use of it. Another thing you'll notice is that this is one of Ben Kowalewicz's first attempts to stop being the "screaming dude" and actually start singing. This song isn't too fast or too slow, but has a perfect tempo to listen at any occasion.
4) "Worker Bees" 94/100
The chants of "March on, worker bees!" are one of the first things you hear besides Jon Gallant's bass. There were some things that stood out about this song, but when I was about to list them, I realized was naming every part of "Worker Bees". This one was hard to review, and much easier to sum up with a listen of the actual music.
5) "Pins And Needles" 100/100
Yes! As if I couldn't get any happier (I really couldn't), Billy Talent rewarded me with the fifth track, "Pins and Needles". This song seems very solemn. It is one of those "buzz ballads", except actually perfect. I love it; It is right after that "How did I ever let you go?", hearing "I'm walking on Pins and Needles", which sends some kind of wave through my body that I am so obsessed with. Ben Kowalewicz hits that relaxed harmonic singing that he was aiming for here in this amazing three minutes and eleven seconds of heaven.
6) "Fallen Leaves" 100/100
Yes (again)! "Fallen Leaves" is the "This Is How It Goes" of Billy Talent II (that song is my favorite from their self-titled debut). This is headbanging, alive, crazy, loud, fast music right here. It is about the troubles of drugs. There are so many moments of this song that I love including the little lead-in to the chorus ("I swear to God this..." etc.) and "I left my best friends, or did they just leave me?". Billy Talent at some of its finest right here.
7) "Where Is The Line" 94/100
What do you get when you cross a Canadian rock group and urban hipsters? If you answered "Where Is The Line", you would be correct. The chorus isn't the best thing Billy Talent brought to the table before but the music during their versus is just plain awesome. The whole song I catch myself "boppin'" my head up and down and tapping my foot constantly thoroughout the song. A delightful track that I enjoy to listen to.
8) "Covered In Cowardice" 95/100
If there is one thing I was allowed to mention in the review of this track, it would be the sound of the riffs of the guitars. "Covered In Cowardice" contains some of the famous Kowalewicz yells and the new Kowalewicz singing. The meaning of the song involves people who don't stand by their convictions. I don't have too much to say about this song except listen to it. Now.
9) "Surrender" 99/100
The prime example of how Billy Talent II differs from Billy Talent is "Surrender". This song is just so magnificent. I managed to memorize every single lyric in this song. Sure, it is on the slow side, but that is what this album needed. Boy, I love Billy Talent. If I ever got the chance to make love to Billy Talent, it would be to this song.
10) "The Navy Song" 95/100
"The Navy Song" or as some call it, "In The Fall", is a great song. It took time to grow on me, as did my friend. When I listen to this track, I can feel the splashes from the music, unless I just peed my pants because this song is so good. "I gave my life to save her" and soon after makes me think of something an orchestra or play would perform.
11) "Perfect World" 99/100
Ahh, good ol' Billy Talent's back, baby. "In a perfect world, your face would not exist" remains to be some of my favorite lyrics. The heavier-like song to have a seizure to is "Perfect World". One of the defining moments of the whole album lies in this song: "Control! Alt, Deleted! Reset my memory!" If you like even one other song by Billy Talent, you'd fall in love with this song.
12) "Sympathy" 94/100
More chanting. More foot-tapping. More Billy Talent. More happiness. This is "Sympathy". Nothing too impressive from the likes of Billy Talent, but still not anything to even come close for anyone to dislike. Still, just more the reason to adore Billy Talent and to just listen to their music yourself.
13) "Burn The Evidence" 96/100
A wonderful way to end the album, if I say so myself. "Burn The Evidence" fits the setting of being the last track of a complete masterpiece. What I like about this song is that you can look at it from so many different perspectives as if Kowalewicz is depressed, rejoicing, or angry. No matter how you look at it, "Burn The Evidence" is a great song all the way around and you couldn't have asked for a better closer.
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