I miss the robes, but the new military leisure suits aren’t bad, I guess…
Sorry, I know I do this every so often, but I feel like I have to. I am going to spread my meaty, sweaty, slightly obscene wings and fly out of the Country and/or Americana genre for just one post. Even though I am leaving the pee-warm waters of my favorite style for a post, I am still keeping it local. Dallas’ own The Polyphonic Spree have released their 3rd full-length album, “The Fragile Army.“ I say “album” because it was released a week earlier on vinyl, and on CD only yesterday (which is cool, because I mix on a turntable like nobody’s bidness). I could bore you with a review that is similar to the reviews everyone writes about these gypsy-like, communal-living, high-on-lifers, but I won’t because it has been said so many places. What is different with this album isn’t that the Spree remain positive and upbeat in their tone and tempo and hopeful in their lyrics, but instead, it is coming from a pro-active “let’s get together and fix stuff” way vs. their usual “let’s get together and enjoy stuff” way. I am not knocking the concept of the band or their previous work because it’s actually original in a world (pop rock/alternative) that seems to have permanently vanquished any originality. I am also a fan of Good Records, which Spree leader Tim Delaughter has an ownership interest, and makes sure they are stocked with not only classic vinyl of all genres, but the vinyl from the newer artists (Viva Voce, Hymns). Ultimately, I love this CD (how scientific and journalistic and prose-driven was that!?!) and think that any attempt to review it falls short due to the reviewer’s need to label and categorize a product and work of art that is simply well-done, hopeful, and sonically beautiful from a band that still seems to be one-of-a-kind in a world of “many of that kind.”
P.S. – The Polyphonic Spree are playing a live CD release gig at The Granada on June 23rd.
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