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June 28, 2007

Online Exclusive

Concert Review

Hometown Jams

Band promotes new album, plays some old favorites while putting on dazzling show

Story by: Kyle Clothier

The Shorthorn photographer

The Shorthorn: Kyle Clothier

The Polyphonic Spree performing June 23rd in Dallas at the Granada Theater.

Dallas’s own The Polyphonic Spree played a hometown show Saturday at the Granada Theater. The 24-member group played its unique and uplifting choral symphonic rock to a sold-out crowd. The band is are now on tour in support of its latest studio album, The Fragile Army, released June 19.

The new album came with a new look. The band membersditched the colorful robes for black fatigues with hearts, red crosses and a new logo, giving them the look of a musical militia.

Singer/songwriter Jesca Hoop opened the show. Hoop performed solo, combining strong vocals and soulful lyrics. Before The Polyphonic Spree took the stage, it presented a film, Raise Your Ears and Hold Onto Your Heart, about the making of the latest album. The film documented the monumental and complicated task of recording with so many members.

The group consists of a choir, guitar, bass, keyboards, flute, trumpet, trombone, French horn, viola, violin, harp, percussion, theremin and electronic effects members.

As the curtains opened, a large piece of red fabric stretched across the stage, covering the band from the audience’s sight. Suddenly, a hand holding scissors cut the shape of a heart through the fabric, and the band emerged through bright lights and confetti.

The Shorthorn: Kyle Clothier

The Polyphonic Spree don their old white robes during their encore performance.

Lead singer Tim DeLaughter, the “general” of the group, charged to the front of the stage to the sound of roaring fans. The energy level was off the charts as the diversely aged crowd sang and jumped along to the band’s enthusiastic, cheerful sounds.

The set included much of the new material from The Fragile Army and older favorites. Showers of confetti, bright colorful lighting and an enormous disco ball illuminated the performance. For the encore, the band emerged from the back of the club donned in their old white robes and climbed back on stage. The Polyphonic Spree performed Sonic Bloom by Tripping Daisy, Tim DeLaughter’s former band, and it added its unique sound on a cover of Nirvana’s Lithium.The band ended the show with its commercial hits “Light and Day” and “King.” This was my third time seeing The Polyphonic Spree. I have always enjoyed the music, but after seeing the band live, I appreciate it so much more.