THE POLYPHONIC SPREE
The Fragile Army
TVT Records
***image1***
Mix the elements of a non-denominational religious revival, a Broadway musical and band camp, and you have
The Fragile Army
by the Polyphonic Spree.
Army
is the latest installment in the Spree's attempt to win over audiences one "Age of Aquarius" crescendo at time. The band syncs up behind cult leader, er…band leader Tim Delaughter, all 23 of them usually clad in Jesus robes (although
Army's
album cover has them going commando, so to speak), wailing on an unlikely bunch of instruments, including trumpets and violins atop huge harmonies. This is the Spree's third LP and it rejects reinvention in favor of fervor.
Less bombastic songs like title track "The Fragile Army" and "We Crawl" break the energized door-to-door sound almost entirely. The song's respective conclusions, however, are built on the same chassis as the sing-along chants used exclusively to build tension and dramatic effect. In fact, fast-forward all the tracks and one finds the same song repeated 12 times. The opening track, "Running Away" is a ringer for a lost B-side of Cheap Trick's At Budokan without the audience's scream in the background. But not all is awash in linen and tambourines.
The Fragile Army
still manages to provide, if nothing else, a visceral and energized non-offensive experience; goofy as it may seem, it's still an experience.
(GG)
