FAMILY

As with all Jolly releases, this their fourth album has the words "The Incredible" above their name, with "presents" underneath. It does given them a powerful visual image, and also meant that I quickly remembered their debut which I heard some ten years ago. I also remembered that I didn't like it, thought it was over-rated, and that I was in the minority. Some six years since their last album, and with the same line-up since the second album of Anadale (guitar, vocals), Joe Reilly (keyboards), Anthony Rondinone (bass, vocals) and Louis Abramson (drums) here is a band who have been influenced by the more metallic areas of prog combined with a love of Muse. On the debut I felt they contained hints of Meshuggah, and while there is little in the way of djent to be discovered, there is no doubt that the bottom end can get very heavy indeed.

The result is something which is actually quite strange to listen to. There is the impression that there is an attempt at being commercial, yet they are also very heavy indeed at times, and this mix of very heavy guitars and bass combined with the melodic vocal style just seems off at times. It has been released as part of the True Music Guide series as well if you can find a copy ? these are limited edition magazines which concentrate on just one release by one band, and #11 includes a biography, an interview with Louis Abramson, loads of photos and tour details. Musically I have to say that I have found it hard to really get on with this album, but am sure that is down to personal musical taste. It is well produced, very polished, and if this is your style of music then I am sure you will get a lot from it. For me, I confess I have played it and enjoyed it more than I did the debut, but that isn't saying a great deal to be fair. Proggy, commercial, Muse-inspired and very heavy, but just not for me.

JOLLY is a group of pop-prog pulling the MUSE wanderings of RADIOHEAD, THE MISSION of, and KILLING JOKE one side. Oceansize of FAITH NO MORE or PORCUPINE TREE RIVERSIDE other hand, PARADISE LOST, of LEPROUS or KILLING JOKE latest version (in heavier sound) between the two sides! JOLLY done so in the prog-rock-alternative or metal-prog, if not done JOLLY JOLLY. 2009 beginner group, revealed in my ears with "The Audio Guide To Happiness vol.1" and heady pace, innovative and captivating! JOLLY which has therefore 6 years to release his fourth album, using a participatory platform patreon which meets here all the titles released progressively.

"Lie to Me" with his piano to PARADISE LOST, right on the intro and hand over its heavy, bold, dynamic flirting directly with new-wave prog metal! The voice is clearer, serving to give rhythm to the rhythm section that becomes even "djent" when prog passage; it is much heavier than their previous productions. "Lazarus" with his voiceover intro, distills a heavy air, aggressive, Oriental and gives a nearly hypnotic air, catatonic too; end off again on a metal riff end of 2nd World War epic; possibility of trance in concert with such, real gem! "Rain", as hooked, hand on an air more pop, more gentle, putting in front the piano and plaintive guitar, denotes a bit with the beginning of the CD, pulling more towards the ballad missing and relief. "Ava" arrives with a more electronic "Bontempi" for a title fruity, colorful, snub the new wave movement of yesteryear? In any case, the second part and finally explodes gives a little more weight. "Who Will Remember" is an interlude wanting to remember that we are within a progressive group? It helps relax the senses with this musical interlude as I like them, come from nowhere.

"Let Go" is the best track of the album! There is everything in it, a ballad priori early just to confuse the issue, acoustic guitar and a tune that starts on convex slopes with successive wanderings, sweet, heavy, haunting and atmospheric passages; a title to listen with headphones. Note the tribute to guitarist RIVERSIDE died during a tour in the first part. "Violet" is struggling to stand comparison behind, distilling a title haunting chorus on a basic composition to TEARS FOR FEARS. Not bad at all. "Heaven Tour" arrives with a message from beyond Stephen Hawking. This title from again too easy chorus song kind of stopgap until the middle there and little more atmospheric break, with most hovering soaring notes for a final fly high; it's simple and it's beautiful. "With Me" or the gentle ballad, slow air, almost languid with the most musical and verbal voice and guitar solo enjoyable that we would have liked to have earlier.

JOLLY JOLLY has made already that's good; The group resumed after a hurricane destroyed a lot of gear and bands that had surprised me with strong fruity and diverse compositions. There by cons they make a little too much in the repetition and are not successive plays that contradict me; The band plays in a rather complicated kind and quite closed when anything new is poorly perceived and where every search for new sounds may be resented! The band has fulfilled its contract with a little of both. But JOLLY makes music for himself and his followers and fans are happy with that.

* Note that there is a deluxe edition with 5 bonus tracks including "Love," haunting ballad explosive crescendo still a bit on "With Me"; "Endless Ground" and "Ava (acoustic)" resuming an air of 1 CD with the emphasis that was so TEARS FOR FEARS! "Masquerade" ouch for a moment djent cleaner that is worth seeing. "For Isaac," most tortured in the ballad genre djent this time to confirm that innovates JOLLY despite the repetition sensation.

After the sound odyssey of the two installments of "The Audio Guide to Happiness", Jolly returned six years later with the long-awaited "Family".

And for my taste, it is his most mature, focused and enjoyable album. Mixing again influences that go through alternative rock, electronic and the most raw heavy metal, Jolly are able to surprise the listener with an excellent collection of songs.

Anadale's distinctive voice sounds better than ever, and the production is clean, heavy and nuanced. It's a shame that a group like this doesn't have a higher recognition!

In any case, it seems that they are going to release a new album soon? I can't wait to hear it! I'm sure it will be as genuine and unclassifiable as ever.

Best Tracks: Lie to Me (perfect to start the album, with a great chorus), Lazarus (in my opinion it's the best song they've written. Good space-heavy, with incredible guitars), Ava (a unique song, original and tremendously representative of the style of this band), Let Go (10 minutes of pure heavy-prog ecstasy), Circuit Heaven (another dynamic, fun song with a curious circus touch)

My Rating: ****