If you don’t like the Polyphonic Spree you have no soul. Though I admit their cameo on Scrubs was lame.
The Polyphonic Spree – “Section 12 (Hold Me Now)”
Remember Tripping Daisy? They totally used to play them on KROCK before it went all corporate.
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I went home this weekend and found a Tripping Daisy cassette in the boxes in my parents’ basement, a remainder from the days when I used to intern at a modern rock station in Ohio. Weird, then, that you should bring them up today… And I had no idea until now that the two bands were in any way related.
I have one word for Polyphonic Spree: derivative. While I will admit to initially greeting “the Spree” with enthusiasm, it didn’t take long for me to realize that, at the end of the day, this was a serious one-trick-pony. First off, the band seems content to basically re-record the same song over and over (and over…). Thus, while the indie-chorale trick seemed really new at the outset, it now (to me) seems pretty dated. The band doesn’t seem interested in really trying to push anything in a new direction, leaving me to wonder why anyone would buy the new album if they have the old one (or why buy the old one instead of a single?) In terms of utilizing a chorus, much better (and braver) tricks have been employed by Smog, Mull Historical Society and even Death Cab for Cutie. I guess that I really like some of the sun-drenched sounds that Tim Delaughter has written, but feel like they could have been done just as well with a regular band, and wouldn’t leave the world weary of such quick fix tropes. Just some thoughts…
The rest of that CD is endlessly sunny and enjoyable. Too cute…although I don’t think “cute” is a technical marker of relevance. Who cares? Want to get stoned?
first Poly Spree = kinda boring and not very original
second Poly Spree = kicks all kind of ass, still not that original, but still kicks ass, regardless
It’s so joyous — great for summer. And I think they ARE pretty original. Sure they’ve stolen a page or two from late-era Flaming Lips, but you don’t see any other 25-piece hippie orchestras in white robes on the indie rock circuit. I bet they give great concerts.
I’m with Scott on this one. The music is infectious and fun. You spin the disc endlessly for a while and retire it. But it’s something you know you’ll eventually come back to. It’s fun, well crafted music. Would I prefer Sephen Malkmus and Scott Kannberg get back together? Sure. But I’d also like X-Ray vision and the ability to turn invisible.
Who cares if someone is braver and more inventive? Sometimes music is just supposed to be fun.
Fuckin’ music snobs. TPS puts on a great show and they’re spreading a hopeful message, unlike man y of the kill-me-now bands you guys jock all the time. Also, they’re not trying to be ironic or look for the latest vintage tee-shirt. Go to a show and tell me later.
I saw The Spree open for Bowie back in May. Easily the worst hour (or was it two months? It seemed to go on and on and onnnn…) I’ve had in a long, long time. I tried, but I couldn’t get into it.