Sun Worshippers

The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy
(Good Records)
4 stars (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: Sept. 13, 2004

Review by Tony Bonyata

Instead of NASA dropping millions into their failed study of the sun (after the Genesis space capsule recently plummeted to Earth when it's parachutes failed to deploy) the space administrative could have saved themselves some major coin by simply tapping into the core of The Polyphonic Spree.
Continuing the shiny, happy vibe explored on their debut album The Beginning Stages...The Polyphonic Spree have produced yet another sunny, larger-than-life collection of, as leader Tim DeLaughter (formerly of Tripping Daisy) describes it, "choral symphonic pop."
On their second full-length release Together We're Heavy DeLaughter along with his touring 24-member band - consisting of standard rock instrumentation as well as the more unconventional ten-piece choir, trombone, flute, trumpet, French horn and other assorted oddities better suited for the New York Philharmonic than that of a Dallas rock band - exude the same blindingly bright, warm rays of light as our own life sustaining star does.
But instead of sounding forced or contrived these higher brow augmentations fit in perfectly with DeLaughter's majestic, transcendental pop. From the sprawling epic opener of "A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed," complete with grandiose symphonic arrangements that ebb and flow, to the canyon-sized choruses over Beatle-esque melodies on "Hold Me Know" and "When The Fool Becomes A King," its hard not to succumb to the jubilant radiance that emits from this album.
Unlike their first effort, which was cut over a couple of days primarily just to get the band live gigs, Together We're Heavy was the result of almost an entire year's work. While their first album - complete with similar starring-at-the-sun arrangements and, at times, near-perfect pop songs - felt anything but rushed, the attention to detail of both arrangements and production is evident throughout this collection of joyful, cloud-parting rock music.
Successfully giving off a strong aura of peace and love without having to put flowers in their hair, while also incorporating strains of Pink Floyd, The Flaming Lips, David Bowie, The Beach Boys and The Beatles without ever aping any of them, The Polyphonic Spree are a breath of fresh air unlike anything else in music today.