Albums by this artist

Together We're Heavy (2004)

The Polyphonic Spree

Together We're Heavy

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» JEFF GRAY | STAFF WRITER

The Polyphonic Spree Together We're Heavy Hollywood, 2004 RiYL: Flaming Lips, Wilco, Paul McCartney

Twenty-five members, all in long robes. An astronomical dry-cleaning bill every night of every tour. A nine-person choir, three keyboardists, a horn section, a string section, a theremin, etc. The Polyphonic Spree is nothing without its superlatives, so let's get them out of the way here: they're a big and crazy band, a true spectacle, a ragtag collective where everyone's euphoric smile is toothy and fixed enough to make you a little concerned, singing hopeful and cheery pop songs with big choruses.

There's a problem with that characterization, though. The Spree's first album, 2002's The Beginning Stages Of..., wasn't nearly big or crazy enough. Its songs struggled for air, weighed down by slow tempos and muted choruses that should have been nothing short of jubilant. The production was disappointing, as well. When the tracks did get loud, it was difficult to distinguish the harp from the theremin from the violin in the mushy crescendos.

The only song that could match up to a Spree live performance was "Section 9 (Light and Day)," which seems to have received more studio care than the rest of the album combined (not coincidentally, it's featured in an iPod-VW Beetle ad). The Beginning Stages Of... sounded exactly like the beginning stages of a band.

Together We're Heavy isn't much of a musical departure from the first album, and the band wants to make sure you know that. Just as the last LP ends with 30 minutes of buzzing called "Section 10," song titles on the new album start at "Section 11". But it's clearly a new record, and maybe the Spree benefit here from a move to Hollywood Records and access to facilities up to the monstrous task of getting their music appropriately mixed.

Luckily for the Spree, the music on The Beginning Stages Of... wasn't what needed to be fixed, and Together We're Heavy is a great pop album underneath all its pomp and circumstance. "Hold Me Now" (sorry, "Section 12 (Hold Me Now)") is a foot-tapping, smile-on-your-face tune worthy of the finale in your favorite rock'n'roll musical theater piece. "Section 16 (One Man Show)" is a melancholy tune that nicely showcases a string section. What could be more sad for a two-dozen-strong cultish troupe than the idea of a one man show?

"Section 19 (When the Fool Becomes a King)" is a real sign that the Spree learned from their mistakes on the last album. It even borrows a refrain from The Beginning Stages Of... ("hey, now, it's the sun / and it makes me smile"), but when the faithful chanted that phrase last time, they seemed to be reaching for psychedelic moodiness and failing to make it interesting. This time, the Spree plays it straight, devoid of a contemplativeness that doesn't fit, and lets its many sonic arms extend fully and clearly.

Lead singer Tim DeLaughter is still up front, and both his high-pitched voice and his mania are put to good use here. DeLaughter and crew have made the record they had the musical chops to make a couple of years ago, but this time the production values have caught up.

JEFF GRAY | Jeff Gray used to be an important mover and shaker in Chicago, but gave all that up to live on a beach in rural Hawaii. You'll notice him if you're there, he's the one who's very tall and a little bit sunburned. His musical tastes tend towards the mainstream -- Phish, Radiohead, The Strokes -- but he'll argue to the death that those bands are mainstream because they're 100% awesome. Jeff's always on the lookout for the next great pop song, tidbits about Michigan football, and 80's action movies on cable.