THE AUDIO GUIDE TO HAPPINESS - PART 2

Two years after the first part Jolly released this second volume which improves the formula, finally reaching the level of excellence that I always knew that this band had inside. The heavier sections are heavier, the mellower ones are finally at the same great level and the album is incredibly varied, catchy and full of memorable tracks.

Anadale sings better than ever, getting unknown tones in his voices like some good accomplished growls and the rest of the band shines also as always. I can't really say who sounds better in this album! All the four members of the band make a great job and the production is also very good, full of details and layers which make this album resistant to many many plays.

Best Tracks: in this album is very difficult to pick single tracks, really. All of them have an excellent level of quality! But if I had to choose, I would pick Firewell (powerful, heavy and prog), You Against the World (great mellow alternative tone with a great chorus), Dust Nation Bleak (oh my God, what a great track!), While We Slept in Burning Shades (this band is awesome!) and The Grand Utopia (the most progressive track of the album!)

Conclusion: The Audio Guide to Happiness Part 1 was a big improvement in comparison to Forty-Six Minutes, Twelve Seconds of Music, but this Audio Guide to Happiness Part 2 is the definitive consolidation of Jolly as one of the most innovating, interesting and varied of this decade. I expected this album to be good, but not to this level!

So, if you haven't heard this album yet and you are interested in the most alternative side of prog, please hear The Audio Guide to Happiness Part 1 and then this even better Part 2. You will be surprised, for sure!

My rating: ****

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