Worth the Wait? (Wait Ep - Polyphonic Spree)

Member Name: Wezzo

Product:	Wait Ep - Polyphonic Spree
Date:	25/07/07 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some superb cover versions; the Spree's superbly unique choral style present and corect

Disadvantages: Only five tracks; one weaker track - but it's still good

The Polyphonic Spree, for those unaware, are a very unique rock band. Ranging from 24 to 29 members strong, and led by Flaming Lips frontman Tom DeLaughter, they combine choral pop in the vein of the Beach Boys with a dense, symphonic Wall-of-Sound type backing, gospel-like chants and singing, and the occasional bit of psychedelia. They have to be heard to be believed (it's probably worth checking out a sample or two at Amazon.com or on iTunes to completely understand the style we're dealing with here).

Bridging the gap between their 2004 album "Together We're Heavy" and the 2007 album "The Fragile Army", The Polyphonic Spree's 5-track EP "Wait" includes two original Spree tracks as well as their own interpretations of three classic songs.

First track, "Mental Cabaret", gets things off to a strong start. Featuring a gorgeous swooping, swooning chorus, ir features everything that makes The Polyphonic Spree great - change in tempo, funky electronic effects, choral symphonic choruses and dense, catchy background music.

We are then treated to a triumvirate of cover versions. "Life My Way" by the Psychedelic Furs, "Sonic Bloom" by Tripping Daisy and "Lithium" by Nirvana all get the unique Polyphonic Spree treatment.

"Lithium" is the most successful of the three. Turning the angsty, cynical and sarcastic grunge hit into an up-tempo, joyous ode to loving life, the Spree take Cobain's lyrics of "I'm so happy / 'Cos today I found my friend.." at face value and turn one of Nirvana's classics into a wondefully optimistic sing-along that you cannot help but sing along with at the top of your lungs: "I found God! Yeah, yeah, ye-e-a-ah yeah yeah!"

"Sonic Bloom" lives up to its title. Sonically gorgeous, the vocal harmonies again recall the likes of the Beach Boys while the background music is less explosive than "Lithium" but just as enjoyable and powerful.

"Life My Way" is the weakest of the three cover versions but it's still a beautiful listen, the bouncy beat juxtaposes with the subtler background music nicely.

Final track "I'm Calling" is the slowest song on the EP, and not entirely by coincidence, the weakest too. It's still enjoyable - DeLaughter's lyrics are nice and soothing: "I'm calling a wonderful feeling to calm me" - but the downbeat backing isn't as effective as the sonic explosions of "Mental Cabaret" nor the laid-back balladry of the Spree's earlier "Diamonds/Mild Devotion to Majesty".

It might be only 5 tracks long (and one, "Mental Cabaret", shows up on their next album proper in a slightly rejigged form) but it's absolutely worth the asking price (£3.95 on iTunes, less than £5 for the physical copy online, the latter of which is a CD in a standard jewel case). This is the Spree at their most versatile and dynamic; it's also the Spree at their most enjoyable.

Summary: A brilliant EP from a brilliant band