On a wild Spree
In a world of angry rappers and angst- ridden singers, Polyphonic Spree are absolutely illuminating
by Cory Casciato
The Metropolitan
Remember the feeling of being a kid, sitting in the sun without a care and hearing the ice cream man approaching? Or the swooping, soaring joy of falling in love for the first time? Now, imagine that feeling as an explosion of symphonic pop music. How does that sound?
That's the Polyphonic Spree in a nutshell, and they sound great.
With so much music exploring the negative, ugly and gloomy aspects of life, it's refreshing to experience a band so resolute in their pursuit of happiness. Don't look for jaded cynicism or irony here; this is a band that knows life is beautiful and wants to express that ideal musically.
The ecstatic sound of the Polyphonic Spree might never have been realized if it weren't for a tragedy that preceded it. In 1999, front man Tim DeLaughter's previous band, Tripping Daisy, broke up after their guitarist died of a drug overdose. In the summer of 2000, DeLaughter started the Polyphonic Spree to realize the sounds he'd been hearing in his head for years.
Sweeping, symphonic pop isn't exactly a new idea. Phil Spector, the Beatles and numerous other artists have utilized orchestras, choirs, horns and the sheer momentum of putting everything and the kitchen sink behind their compositions to give them a sense of grandeur and epic scope. The Polyphonic Spree take it a step further, translating that same experience from the studio to the stage as a full- time touring band.
With 24 members in matching white robes, and featuring numerous horns and woodwinds, electronics, theremin, violin, piano, keyboards, a choir and the standard guitar, bass and drums, the Polyphonic Spree is a powerful live experience, aurally and visually.
"When you put that many people together who are all focusing on one thing at the same time, usually the result is going to be pretty powerful. When it's on something positive like this, the result is going to be powerful in a positive way. Sometimes it is really extreme; sometimes, we even get tears in the crowd, but it's positive tears, you know? It's real moving for everyone, in the crowd and onstage," said Jesse Hester, piano player for the band.
Performing live, they like to mix things up, inviting the audience to sing along, playing new material and the occasional cover, and reimagining the sound of the album in new ways.
"We take it pretty far out there. We know that people have probably rocked the album a few times and we want to surprise them; you know, catch them off guard," said Hester. "So, when they come and see us play live we put some spins here and there to kinda throw them off."
The first album, The Beginning Stages of..., released in the spring of 2001, was followed by extensive touring, including notable appearances at the famous SXSW Music Fest and headlining David Bowie's Meltdown Festival in the UK. Currently, they are touring the United States with David Bowie, and a second album, Together We're Heavy, is due this July.
The band has ambition to match their bombastic sound and image. They've set their sights on nothing less than defining a new era of music.
"I think we're starting a new generation of music that people are going to be listening to for the next hundred years," said Hester. "I know that's kind of a bold statement but its gotta happen sometime and its gotta start somewhere. It might as well start with us."
Considering the excellent reception they've received from both fans and critics, they may well achieve their goal. Whether they do or not, it's good to know that some artists are still striving for that peak, seeking to do their own thing and making the world pay attention.
The Polyphonic Spree will open for David Bowie and bring joy to hearts April 25 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. Additional info at www.comcasttix.com |
