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Billy Talent

Watoosh! [reissue] (as Pezz)
2005
Atlantic

Billy Talent - Watoosh! [reissue] (as Pezz) (Cover Artwork)

Review by: CherryColaRain
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Published on December 25th 2005

Before Billy Talent there was...

Pezz.

As courtesy of the guys behind the amazing punk rock act Billy Talent, the release of their old work, back when they were the high schooler band know as Pezz, has found its way back into stores. Yes, even in their early years, Billy Talent always had an amazing amount of talent, and their angered and troubled sleeper of a vocalist Benjamin always had the knack for writing incredibly straight-foward, in-your-face, sarcastic lyrics. The first time I listened I was found with my mouth open, for it's not close to raw anger that Billy Talent now holds, but it's sarcastic humour being spat at you from the speakers from a much younger Benjamin and Ian who at this point didn't have his trademark tall hair. Pezz may not be the anger-guided Billy Talent most of us have come to known, but it's definitely a must-have and a must-listen for any fan of good punk rock.

The CD starts with my personal favorite "M&M." It's a very mid-tempo song about being a freak in school, and most of the CD stays to the style that this song sets. Lyrics like "You called me a freak, join the circus you clown!" put a nice smile on my face, and the guitars, which carry an almost surfer vibe to them, let the song flow nicely; the production is a bit of a problem, but the songs are so good one tends not to notice. The album's second song, "Rita," has verses between Benjamin speaking and whooping, which just seems so playful it's hard to stop listening because you want to know how the song ends. Another personal favourite is the fast tempo track "The Warmth of Windows," which in my opinion, along with "M&M," are the main roots of Billy Talent's creative sound. Now, while the sarcastic lyrics are not comparable to their new counterparts, they still give the listener a good chuckle, and again, definitely show where Billy Talent came from. A downfall is the band's trying too hard to be funny, and sometimes it just doesn't flow like their newer material; as well, the production job leaves the guitars and bass far too loud over the vocals and drums, making it hard to listen to Benjamin's already rapid spitfire of words. But if you give it time (and a few glances at the lyrics) you'll find this CD to grow on you very fast, Billy Talent fan or not.

This was definitely an awsome gift from Billy Talent to their fans (my guess is for the delay of their new album, which should come out in 2006). It's not the best material by the Canadian four-piece, but it's definitely a must-have for any Billy Talent fan.

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Posted by nVidia725 on 2006-10-11 22:53:56
My Score:

bitch stfu, Bily Talint rulze!!!!!! The whole BT I is straight fiyah, gunna go cop Watoosh right now!

Posted by cherrycolarain on 2005-12-31 23:08:13

You know, I am Terribly sorry for saying Billy Talent so much. I mean, you know, this was only their first try at putting out a CD, and it just the same guys, with almost the same vocal style.

I really went overboard.

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 9:15 PM (EST)

wow. m & m is my fav song on this CD(stop calling it a god damn "Record"!!) also..... AND IT BLOWS OUT THE ASS!!

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at 11:45 AM (EST)
My Score:

Not great, not terrible. Not nearly as fun to listen to as Billy Talent. Still, it is a recording by high school kids, so naturally it's not quite on the same level. Solid first outing that lays roots for better things to come. (oh yeah, can you idiots please leave all the *sucks dick* comments in the sandbox with your tonka trucks? grow the hell up)

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 26, 2005 at 4:54 PM (EST)

"the amazing punk rock act Billy Talent"

AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!! please.

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 26, 2005 at 11:47 AM (EST)

I like BYO Pezz and real life pezz 100% more.

Posted by sirens on 2005-12-25 18:50:01

I dont like billy talent so I dont think Ide enjoy this, but dont suck the bands cock next review.

Posted by maverick on 2005-12-25 16:38:16

I like Pezz (from Memphis). Their pre-BYO album, Livin' The Life Of Riley, kills. Their BYO stuff was good, too, but damn, that record was awesome.

Oh, I like Billy Talent, too.

I should probably pick this up sometime, as I've been waiting for a new BT record for the better part of a long time.

-Scott

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 4:23 PM (EST)

I think we should start a competition here: let's see how many times a person can say the words "Billy Talent" in a review before they start to feel like a total ass.

Because I bet most people couldn't get anywhere near the tally this reviewer managed.

I mean, I like Billy Talent and all, but I don't want to see those words appearing in every other sentence in a review about band that's.... not Billy Talent. It's just... lame.

Posted by rkl on 2005-12-25 15:15:40
My Score:

fanboy deluxe, christ. seemed like the reviewer spent more time jizzing about billy talent than he did this actual record.
scores for the review, which only gets that high because of decently formed sentences.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 2:40 PM (EST)

thought this was Pezz, from memphis. Anyone know how to get the posthumous cd they put out after they broke up, that had like a full length and a 7 inch on it?

wyzo

Posted by Cos on 2005-12-25 12:49:47

Thank GOD this isn't the BYO Pezz. I saw them with Leatherface years back and they put on such a great show. They are missed...

--Cos

Posted by notfeelingcreative on 2005-12-25 11:01:32

"So wait a minute, is this the Pezz that was on BYO?"

No it isn't, and if I were looking through racks at my local record store, I would probably be inclined to believe that Memphis' Pezz had reformed if I saw this record, wasting ten dollars of my hard-earned cash!

Posted by Scruffy on 2005-12-25 08:58:53

Billy Talent is AWFUL. I saw them at the 04 Warped Tour, and they were only bested in sucking by The Kinison. And this was a date with Good Charlotte and NFG.

Posted by givemeamuseumandillfillit on 2005-12-25 08:00:28

I think their earlier material is good and everything, but it was when they turned into billy talent they nailed it, I still listen to that cd alot.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 7:08 AM (EST)

Billy talent is fucking horrible and so is this. Please don't confuse this flaming pile of shit for the Memphis, TN. Pezz.

---Trav.

Posted by TheOneTrueBill on 2005-12-25 04:26:06

So wait a minute, is this the Pezz that was on BYO?

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 3:25 AM (EST)

At first, I thought this was a "lost" record by Pezz that was on BYO. They were great, a lot like Jawbreaker.

Posted by RondoMondo on 2005-12-25 03:01:21
My Score:

Billy Talent is a good band. Better than half of the emo/indie/metalcore tripe.

Posted by RondoMondo on 2005-12-25 03:01:15

Billy Talent is a good band. Better than half of the emo/indie/metalcore tripe.

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 2:43 AM (EST)
My Score:

Wow...haha..wow you must have some kind of major hard-on for billy talent huh?

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 25, 2005 at 2:40 AM (EST)
My Score:

Wow...

Are you IN billy talent?

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