The Beginning Stages Of... (Disk 1)

A Cacophony of Joy

     

While the robed performers and upbeat choral, spiritual sounding music may tempt you to dismiss this group as a clownish cult experiment, one should not allow judgment before giving this album a full listen. Founded by Tripping Daisy's Tim DeLaughter in response to the negativity he felt after band mate Wes Berggren died of a drug overdose, The Polyphonic Spree is an attempt to add something purely positive to the modern music scene. What is accomplished is an album with all of the uplifting power of a gospel collection without the accompanying religious proselytizing. The music is thick, aided by the bands ever swelling numbers. The harmonies and musical arrangements are reminiscent of a sing-along with all the inherent quirks and missteps. Even the staunchest pessimist would be hard pressed to maintain a disagreeable mood while listening to Light and Day/Reach for the Sun, popularized in commercials and in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I challenge listeners to give this track a chance. In the current musical atmosphere of mopey guitars and mascara-ed Burtonesque lead singers, The Polyphonic Spree is truly an “alternative” alternative.