The Polyphonic Spree

Tripping Daisy seemed destined to reach success when their 1996 song "I Got A Girl" was all over video and radio stations, but alas, it was not meant to be. After the tragic death of their drummer, the band decided to call it quits and thus the Polyphonic Spree was born. Comprised of an ever-growing ensemble of 29 members (17 musicians and a choir of 12), the Polyphonic Spree, at times, seems more like a dazed Kool-Aid sipping cult than an up and coming indie act. All members are required to wear the appropriate all-white gown, the music is divided into ten sections (the final section clocking in at a ludicrous 36-plus minutes) and all songs sound as if they were written by the happiest man in Springfield. In fact, the singer/songwriter, Tim DeLaughter, was the writer and front-man for all of Tripping Daisy's albums, which explains the twisted nature of this whole collective. The Beginning Stages Of... is wacked-out, freaky and psychedelic audio religion at its best. Even the idea of not conforming to song titles and using numbered sections seems fitting, since it's all just one big, weird acid trip. The Polyphonic Spree has created a marvellous and demented wonderland - one that ends with a looped sample of moans and hums over a glinting backdrop that is almost too much for even the most open-minded avant-garde follower - where the listener can tune in, forget all of the problems going on around them and likely even join the band, if they have enough team spirit.