The transition from cult icons to full-fledged culture icons is one that has haunted the crowded pop market since its inception. To keep their egos well-oiled, critics are constantly reminding us that there are more bands out there that should be huge. These bands are great, but when Americans are made to feel uncomfortable by shifting standards, offensive ideals or what they see as weird, ridicule or flat-out dismissal become the easy outs..
On another level of cult, though, is the Polyphonic Spree. Perhaps the only band to be identified as cult and called a cult, the massive group of white-robed flower children have garnered massive attention both for their size and unending optimism that can be, well, a little creepy. For all their supposed idealism and manpower (40 members in total), though, their strengths were left to their live show over the past few years, as 2002's The Beginning Stages of... was too one-dimensional and often dragging in its uniform joy.
With Together We're Heavy, though, the Sprees have brought their giddy outlook into a more complete statement. Importantly, this album acknowledges life is not always sunny. Cult leader/vocalist Tim DeLaughter tackles social commentary, which brings the band years beyond its previous spouting of seemingly unmovable optimism. With songs like "Diamonds" and "Everything Starts at the Seams," it is now evident that the band's worldview is rooted in turning away from the acknowledged trappings of the world, rather than simply ignoring them. "When a Fool Becomes a King" offers an especially pointed critique of religion, pitting the band's excessively positive music as an effective tool of irony: "Lift this crucifix/yeah you're shaking it/ but you think to yourself/everything will be fine."
The real strength and development on the album is in the depth of sound, though. Instead of using the chorus as back-up singers and the small orchestra as overlay, DeLaughter brings each element equally into the mix, creating explosions of sound that will make you fall out of your chair, and, of course, put you in so good a mood it will start to get annoying. Despite longer tracks, this album is a more accessible work. The compositions are less fragmented, and the songwriting has also improved. Where there were once drawn out sections of repetition, shorter pieces like "Everything Starts at the Seams" inject sharp melody into the oceans of sound already created.
Still concept-heavy, they many never gain stardom, but the Polyphonic Spree have elevated their stock far beyond the concept that brought them attention in the first place. Hopefully someone gets it, as full appreciation is due.
1. A Long Day Continues
2. We Sound Amazed
3. Hold Me Now
4. Diamonds
5. Mild Devotion to Majesty
6. Two Thousand Places
7. Ensure Your Reservation
8. One Man Show
9. Suitcase Calling
10. Everything Starts at the Seam
11. When the Fool Becomes a King
12. Together We're Heavy
More about: The Polyphonic Spree
