Initially known for providing strings for Metro Area and Metro Area's Morgan Geist, Kelley Polar (last name first, adjective last; real name: Mike Kelley, the brother of Blevin Blectum) began releasing a series of 12" singles in 2002. Released on Environ and featuring assistance from Geist, 2002's Audition, 2003's Recital, and 2004's Rococo were somewhat similar to Metro Area's post-disco singles but different enough to avoid redundancy. In 2005, Kelley took an abrupt turn and came up with Love Songs of the Hanging Gardens, an album rooted in pop that featured his vocals. He followed it with 2008's I Need You to Hold on While the Sky Is Falling, which was even more ambitious and idiosyncratic. ~ Andy Kellman