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Jolly: 46:12 Of Music

Jolly: 46:12 Minutes Of Music

Alternative/Progressive Rock
Rating: 4.75/5.0

ProgRock Records
www.myspace.com/jollyband5
Review: Ethan Hartranft,  06.21.2009

Progressive music is an interesting thing. When handled correctly by bands like Jolly, it can produce some of the most captivating music in the world. Forty-Six Minutes, Twelve Seconds of Music feels like an art rock record. It takes many different twists and turn down many different roads and avenues. Never conforming to a certain musical structure, no two songs off the album sound quite the same. Each instrument is represented well. Anadale's vocals and Joe Reilly's piano skills are on display at their best in 'Red Sky Locomotive', 'Peril' showcases Louis Abramson's drumming ability and Mike Rudin's bass work is excellent on 'Renfaire'. Obviously, this quartet knows what they're doing.

The first track, 'Escape from DS-3' shows off Jolly's particular style, blending heavy and soft music into the song. The same can be said for 'Renfaire' and 'Peril'. Continuing from there, 'Red Sky Locomotive' is a truly beautiful song. At several points in the song, vocals, bass, drums and piano crescendo into an amazing display of what this band has to offer. 'Downstream' is another great example of this. Bluesy guitar riffs and a soulful solo make this song a late standout. Both 'Carousel of Whale' and 'Solstice' seem heavier and have faster tempo than the previous tracks but fit nonetheless.

A quick mention must be given to the inclusion of binaural tones in '46:12'. Information about these can be easily found from a portal on the band's website. In layman's terms, binaural tones are two slightly offset frequencies played together in stereo. The properties of these tones alter the brain's natural frequency. Different frequency ranges are said to have different effects on the brain. Inside the album this warning is offered; "Caution: Binaural tones can alter brainwaves. Do not use while operating machinery or driving. Do not use if you are epileptic, wear a pace maker, pregnant, and/or prone to seizures."

Binaural tones aside, Forty-Six Minutes, Twelve Seconds of Music is a fantastic album and I expect great things of Jolly in the time to come. Their mix of alternative and progressive rock elements creates an ambient sound unlike anything else heard today.

In Short

Forty-Six Minutes, Twelve Seconds of Music is a fantastic album and I expect great things of Jolly in the time to come. Their mix of alternative and progressive rock elements creates an ambient sound unlike anything else heard today.

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