July 19, 2004

I Was Hoping This Was A Thompson Twins Cover

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.

Posted at 1:01 PM

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8 Comments

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.

Posted by: zan at 07/19/04 1:12 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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...

Posted by: joshua edward at 07/19/04 3:08 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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?

Posted by: Nicole at 07/19/04 3:58 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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

Posted by: solace at 07/19/04 4:34 PM | Reply
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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.

Posted by: stereogum at 07/19/04 4:39 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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.

Posted by: dpamac at 07/19/04 6:18 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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.

Posted by: K-Rock at 07/19/04 6:37 PM | Reply
Score = 0

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.

Posted by: Nikole at 07/20/04 3:53 AM | Reply
Score = 0