ProgRock Records (2009)

Alternative rock from New York, this four piece allure with musical waves of gothic gloom and free flowing rhythmic passion. Joe Reilly’s keyboards have an ominous Depeche Mode meets Type O Negative overtone, contrasting brilliantly against the wide-open off-tempo parts from drummer Louis Abramson, who’s obviously listened to a lot of Tool, Meshuggah and Dave Matthews Band. Guitarist/ vocalist Anadale calmly delivers the lyrics which will push your creativity, happiness, focus and probably provide peace of mind with every subsequent listen. Embedded in the album are binaural tones - inaudible changes in audio frequencies that stimulate brain wave activity.

Tracks like “Red Sky Locomotive” and “Downstream” evoke varying degrees of new age, alternative and progressive rock movements - yet in such a light, sweeping manner you can’t help but want to hear what comes next from song to song. The solos have a comfort like David Gilmour or Radiohead, almost like guided meditation. The overall presentation though keeps the listener involved and hypnotic - there’s a purpose and vision that’s not ignored and the atmosphere remains full of hooks, be it from a drum, bass, keyboard, guitar or vocal perspective. “Carousel of Whale” for instance features Louis’ fill work that sounds decidedly Caribbean against keyboard sounds from the ocean and a heavy, wah wah filled guitar that probably displays the disturbance between man and nature.

I love the headphones suggested reminder on the inside back tray inlay. Jolly bring a laid back heady perspective on music- something that helps invigorate my totality when I wish to escape from life’s excess stressors. Plenty to savor, “Forty-Six Minutes, Twelve Seconds of Music” provides years of entertainment and enlightenment.

www.progrockrecords.com
www.myspace.com/jollyband5

Composed by Matt Coe