JOLLY – The Audio Guide To Happiness Part II

Inside Out – Release Date: 4/3/2013

One of the few major benefits of getting older is becoming more accepting and “open-minded” – a word much hated by a certain close friend of mine. Twenty years ago I would never have dreamed of listening to the music of a band that had deliberately chosen to name themselves “Jolly” – a name that still sounds a bit, well…silly.

Don’t let this small detail deter you from checking out the band’s latest album “The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part II)”, though, as these twelve compositions are the product of five quite skilled musicians who present their Prog Rock and Metal with a clever and modern approach.

Though bands like Pain Of Salvation and Dream Theater seem to have influenced the works of these fine New Yorkers, labelling them as just another Prog Metal band would do them a great injustice. Why? Mainly because there is a great level of care behind the melodies, which look to many different styles of music for inspiration.

Most importantly, while these melodies often betray certain Pop sensibilities, the rhythms supporting them are so intelligent and technically efficient that they will undoubtedly bring the band to the attention of a huge variety of music fans – something previously seen in the case of Anathema since their release of “A Natural Disaster” back in 2004.

The opening track “Guidance Three” features a narration similar to that found on Pain Of Salvation’s magnum opus “Be” (2004) and that mood is furthered through the solid riffs of “Firewell” – a six and a half minute beast of a song. Much more mellow and commercially-driven, “You Against The World” is nevertheless a gem, while “Aqualand And The 7 Suns” adds a moody/atmospheric dimension to the album.

Variety is not only the spice of life, but also seems to be the band’s motto, as suggested by songs like “Dust Nation Bleak” and “Golden Divide” – both creating a beautiful contrast with the more stripped down tunes of “Lucky” and “While We Slept In Burning Shades”. My favourite track of the album is “Despite the Shell” – six and a half minutes filled with Floydian solos and touching melodies, while the Anathema-style harmonies of “As Heard On Tape” make it an equally important offering.

The conclusion of this lesson in open-mindedness comes in the shape of “The Grand Utopia” – a composition filled with classic 70s Prog tunes presented in a clever and refreshing way that leave the lucky listener feeling both elated and content.

I have to truly thank the PR guy from Inside Out who suggested that I listen to “The Audio Guide To Happiness (Part II)” as it is an album that is fast becoming a personal favourite. Just like with every other good quality Prog release, the bond that is established between the songs and the listener are immediate, but the rewards will be felt over a protracted period of time, guaranteeing hours upon hours of sheer entertainment.

Jolly claim that their music is composed through a scientific method designed to bring the listener happiness – whether that is true or it is just a placebo effect, the end result is nevertheless still achieved.

John Stefanis

Rating: **** (4.0/5.0)

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