April 8, 2024 – All day long I absorbed talk about the solar eclipse. Suddenly, an old song jumped into my head and my mind drifted to an image of around 30 white-robed, energetic people singing and dancing on a confetti covered stage. Bubbles surrounded them. Multi-colored scarves and flags waved about them.
Hey, it’s the sun And it makes me shine
When I picked up the 2004 CD of The Polyphonic Spree’s Together We’re Heavy, I had no idea what I held in my hand. “They look like some kind of hippie-dippie cult,” my roommate at the time remarked. I shrugged and bought it anyway. I was intrigued. I often “blind buy” books, movies, and music, (not exactly blind, I judge each of these by their covers) and I couldn’t resist this one. Exactly how many people are IN this band? I thought.
I am so happy that this album was my introduction to this incredibly unique band because it’s my absolute favorite of theirs. I went around playing this for everyone whether they were into it or not and the energy of the music was infectious even to the ultimate hater. This psychedelic pop-rock band from Dallas, Texas never has less than 20 members at a time in it. I once saw an interview with the band’s frontman, Tim DeLaughter, and he said that so many people wanted to join the band and he couldn’t say no. They just kept adding more instruments and more choral singers and eventually had to cap it because it was becoming too difficult to tour with so many people. Flutes, French horns, trumpets, guitars, pianos, violas, cellos…you name the instrument and this band has probably incorporated it into their music.
Some times will start for you Cause everything starts at the seam
Why do they wear those weird robes anyway? is a question I always hear when I talk about The Polyphonic Spree. According to DeLaughter, the robes are meant to unify the band and make their onstage visual appearance less overwhelming for the audience. The different colors of the robes (whether they are all-over technicolor robes or white ones with different colored trim) allow for individuality. The band usually has to defend themselves against the common misconception that they are associated with any type of religion because they are not. I think the robes are fun. They consider themselves to be a “choral band” so the style choice makes sense to me. The robes also add a visual element to live performances that contributes heavily to the animated vibe of their sets.
Yeah, everyone wants to know love Love, love, love
The song “When A Fool Becomes a King” is my favorite Polyphonic Spree song. Of course it’s open to interpretation but the sense of oneness and love beyond the confines and restraints the human race often places on itself is at the song’s core. The band believes the open sky holds all the answers and by remaining open to possibilities we can all find “our way” and “love the life we choose.” This entire album makes me so ecstatic that my mood is instantly lifted once I play it. I can say the same for most of their discography now that I think about it. The Beginning Stages Of… is a prequel to Together We’re Heavy and I often play them together. Yes, It’s True has a companion album in Psychphonic which features remixed versions of its 11 tunes. All of their albums played consecutively form one big journey divided into "Sections". I remember a time in my life when I thought I could track the band down and join them, but that was a fleeting dream of escapism that didn’t last long.
The Polyphonic Spree is still making music and released the album Salvage Enterprise last year. I haven’t listened to it yet because I hadn’t thought about them in years until today, but I’m glad they popped up in my memory. As Tim DeLaughter once said “The Polyphonic Spree is like a celebration!” I couldn’t agree more.
Visit The Polyphonic Spree’s website at thepolyphonicspree.com!
Jennifer Patino lives in Traverse City and loves music. Visit her blog at thistlethoughts.com