I am not very familiar with the band Jolly, just because it isn’t the genre I am listening to on a daily base. Yet, after listening I found that this album deserved to be reviewed. Since The Real Thing I am a fan of Faith No More (only not the last release). I was immediately hooked by the opener ‘Lie To Me’. A song that has a lot of Faith No More influences. The singing, the melodies all see to that. In fact to me the song sounds like a perfect mix of Faith No More and Fates Warning. These influences can be found back on several other songs later on as well, ‘Violet’ is one of them.
‘Lazarus’ continues also rather dark and with some impressive Eastern sounding influences and catchy choruses. The song ends with the heaviest riffs on the entire album. After that the ballad ‘Rain’ continues. Talking about catchy, the keyboard tunes on ‘Ava’ are catchy as hell. ‘Let It Go’ starts soft, serene and melodic, but has some very aggressive and heavy parts half way.
Fans of catchy choruses, nice piano parts, great choruses and a lot of melody will be pleased with Family. Expect a light version of bands like Faith No More, Radiohead, Tool and Fates Warning. Sounds good to you? You might want to get to know Jolly.
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All of the tracks on board are loaded with atmosphere and plenty of melodic firepower. There are no less than three tracks with most exquisite acoustic fingerpicking for their introduction: Devil’s Hand, Into the Light and Scarlet Angel. Their are other surprises as well. The Path is an excellent electric guitar showcase, worthy of Satchmo or Vai or Zakk! The title track features a big opening and lots of ethereal grandeur. There is also heavy riffing – lots of big guitar, and some good straight vocals with just a hair of growl to them. There are no less than two lead guitar solos also, which for me is always a sign of a good tune.
The remainder of the tracks here pretty much pounce on you right out of the gate. Charging, heavy guitars and plenty of excellent bass and drum work. The keyboards are more of a atmosphere instrument on several of the pieces here, but that is a good chunk of their job is to create the ambience, so to speak.
Sign of No Return begins life with creepy keys and then gives way to big guitar riffs and soaring vocals. You will find that this is a pattern with these guys. River and Second Son are similar in nature here; plenty of big vocals and big guitar. I can almost picture Matt with one foot on the monitor and vocalizing with the mic while riffing his brains out! The Awakening features some very melodic and powerful work from all of the members. The rhythm section is an absolutely churning hot mess here.
Forever Lost is another pretty heavy duty stomper. There might be some double bass drumming here. Kind of sounds like it.
The Ghosts of Innocence is the big one. How fitting that it is the final track. The vocal and piano interplay here is just wonderful.
If I had to say what I think of Borealis on first listen, I’d have to say two thumbs way up!
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