Here’s a pertinent fact to start off with; this record is currently occupying the #1 position in the Canadian charts. They knocked off the previous top seller which happened to be Michael Jackson’s posthumous compilation Number Ones – that’s not bad. The point is that this fearsome foursome are immensely popular in their home country and have been since their first release under the Billy Talent monikor in 2003.

Seemingly, the band have sought to attract such popularity and appreciation from a wider international market. At least, that is what comes across with Billy Talent III; the album smacks of an attempt to woo a global – well, US – audience by imbuing much of the overall sound with a poppy, easy-on-the-ears effect. Clearly, the band wanted to deviate at least a little bit from previous releases; Billy Talent I & II were pretty indistinguishable, and while key to an upcoming group’s popularity is establishing a recognizable style, too much of the same thing can get quite stale.

So does it work? To a degree. Certainly, vocalist Ben Kowalewiscz’s voice is slightly muted on this release, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing; in previous incarnations, the vocals occasionally came across as screechy and more-than-a-little whiny. There is a mature aspect to his tone, and indeed to the band’s output as a whole, that impresses. Angsty, emo punk is still the order of the day but there are more mellow, slow tempo songs here than on I or II.

Nonetheless, Billy Talent are at their best when they are echoing their previous albums. Diamond on a Landmine stands out as does Tears Into Wine, in spite of its questionable title and some dodgy lyrics. Turn Your Back is a cracker of a song, ripping along at a great pace and combining Ian D’Sa’s nice guitar-work with some decent vocals. Easily the best track on the record, and it’s a shame that there aren’t more like it. Rusted from the Rain has a nifty riff to begin with, but loses its way and, indeed, the listener’s interest quickly.

Alas, this is the case for much of the fare; catchy hooks at first, and vocals that are much less irritating than before, but ultimately offering nothing of any real brilliance. Saint Veronika starts off promisingly, with a simple-but-effective bassline leading in the guitars and then drums before the vocals join in…and almost immediately becomes mediocre. Some of the tracks are simply awful; Pocketful of Dreams and Definition of Destiny are as cringeworthy as the titles make them sound.

If Billy Talent III does indeed represent a desperate grab for mainstream attention, then it misfires completely, as it is difficult to see how anyone who doesn’t already like the group would be converted by what is on offer here. On the other hand, while there are a lot of forgettable tracks and filler, there is enough here to keep the fanboys – and girls – happy. All in all, it’s an unremarkable effort from a band that is genuinely capable of so much more.

Billy Talent do indeed have talent – if only they knew how best to utilize it.

- Sebastian Clare

CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF: BILLY TALENT PLAYING TURN YOUR BACK LIVE