Today I've added another review from the archives. This gives you a glimpse into the hazy, crazy world of America's favourite cult (band)..
Giving Tim DeLaughter a bucketload of cash to record a Polyphonic Spree album is a bit like giving a small child the keys to a lollyshop: They're going to gorge themselves on every treat they can find. Disney (who own Hollywood Records) stumped up the moolah for a studio large enough to accommodate the 25-piece (count 'em) band and DeLaughter duly splurged dosh. No horn, harp or harmony was left unturned to bring us Together We're Heavy.
The aim was to create a sugar-coated symphony to love and some of the time that's achieved. A breezy piano leads the parade on 'Everything Starts At The Seam'; 'Two Thousand Places At Once' is a soothing antidote to hectic modern living; and I'd swear my stereo actually glowed with joy during 'Hold Me Now'.
At other times the happy clappy clan get a bit overzealous though. 'When The Fool Becomes A King' is the worst example of this, descending at one point into a sickly playground chant of: "The trees wanna grow! grow! grow!" If you can stomach the odd schmaltzy moment like that then you will love this album.
If Together We're Heavy was a dessert it would be banana split, pancakes, cheesecake, black forest gateau, apple pie and chocolate fudge cake mixed up and served on Belgian waffles with maple syrup.
By Andy McLean. Copyright held by author.
Article first published in The Brag, Sydney, 2004.
Together We've Heavy is available through Festival Mushroom / Hollywood Records.
Mmmm... some good thoughts here. I must say that this band is getting better with a) Age and b) less members in it.
ReplyDeleteAlso think that their newer stuff (the fragile army) moves away from said 'sickly playground' fair. They are due for a new one methinks.
Good point Ben. Polyphonic Spree are maturing with age. Like a good cheese or a good wine. Which means their next album should be even better!
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