The Polyphonic Spree

The Fragile Army (TVT)

By Laura Leebove
Published: June 21st, 2007 | 1:32am

It’s puzzling when people describe the Polyphonic Spree’s new outfits as “creepy.” Sure, the 25ish-member group handed in their colorful robes for black military uniforms, but no one seems to notice that the new duds don’t symbolize the violent, fighting army that first comes to mind. If you look closely, each band member has a gold heart hanging from his/her left side, which co-founder and leader Tim DeLaughter said symbolizes care and thoughtfulness. Then on the uniform’s right hip is a red cross, which he said represents the first aid humans are capable of. Meet the Fragile Army.

From beginning to end, the album’s lyrics are happy and hopeful — exactly what one would expect from the Polyphonic Spree, and exactly the opposite of what one would expect from an army. The Fragile Army uses the same optimistic themes as The Beginning Stage Of… and Together We’re Heavy, but takes the music to a whole new level.

“Running Away,” the first single from The Fragile Army, starts with a blast of electric guitar, horns, and drums before DeLaughter and the choir take over. Between the layered harmonies in the choir, random shredding and melodic scales on guitar, and flute trills, it’s hard to keep track of everything going on, but it all comes together at the end with a Brady Bunch-like unison chorus.

The album’s title track starts off slow with DeLaughter and a piano, then slowly pulls in other instruments before pausing to go into the second movement, where the army lets loose into a theatrical circus of racing horns and siren-like sound effects.

The beginning of “We Crawl” sounds like the beginning of a cheesy, let’s-all-live-in-peace middle school choir song, starting with a delicate piano solo and the warm plucking of a harp. But even so, it’s the prettiest song on the album. The lyrics repeated by DeLaughter — “We try / We crawl / We live / We’re small” — are simple, but fit well in between the gorgeous choral harmonies, sliding strings, and majestic horns.

But while “We Crawl” will have fans waving their lighters, “Mental Cabaret” will get them on their feet dancing. A polished version of the psychedelic opener on the Spree’s Wait EP, the toe-tapping track has a synth-heavy, Scissor Sisters–like feel, complete with handclaps. The new version has bigger choruses, a fuller sound, and more depth.

Following the electronic theme, a synthesizer and steady drum-machine beat kick off “Light to Follow,” a catchy track with the repetitive, unison chorus of “Everyone needs their own light they can follow.” After a buildup of wailing guitar solos and simple drum rhythms, it fades away to a melodic sigh from the choir.

The Fragile Army definitely sounds best when listened to all at once, because each song flows perfectly into the next without a second of wait time. While the Spree’s previous albums have been more on the mellow side, The Fragile Army ups the tempo, adds more variety, and finally secures the band’s spot as more than just a novelty act.