New Album, Tour From The Polyphonic Spree

On July 13, Dallas-based choral-symphonic rock group the Polyphonic Spree will release their sophomore album, Together We're Heavy, on Hollywood Records.

The group, which comprises over 20 white-robed musicians, juggled work on Together We're Heavy with intense touring over a year-long period. In contrast, they spent just two days recording their debut, 2002's The Beginning Stages..., which was recorded as a demo, but then took on a life of its own as demand for it grew; initially distributed by the group to fans at a gig, it was then released on the indie Good label and later reissued by Hollywood Records in 2003.

"The first record gives you a taste of what we're about to get into," bandleader Tim DeLaughter explained in an interview with Neumu last fall. "The next record is a band that's been together for two and a half years. It kind of realized where it is and where it's going and what it's about, and we captured it all on tape.

"It's a very emotional record," DeLaughter continued. "It's extremely dramatic. It has lots of highs and lows. It's very rewarding at the end. It's full of hope, and it's the most hair-raising musical experience I've done. I'm really, really happy with it and I can't wait to get it out there."

Fans who have caught the group's live shows will recognize material on Together We're Heavy — "When the Fool Becomes a King" and the epic anthem "Two Thousand Places," a true sibling to the immediately familiar sing-alongs that anchor The Beginning Stages….

In addition to those two songs, the album includes: "A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed," "Hold Me Now," "Diamonds/Mild Devotion to Majesty," "Ensure Your Reservation," "One Man Show," "Suitcase Calling," "Everything Starts at the Seam" and "Together We're Heavy."

The Polyphonic Spree have also set off on a series of dates supporting David Bowie. Bowie was responsible for their first gig outside Texas, at the "Meltdown Festival" in the UK; they often cover Bowie's "Five Years" as a rousing encore. For current tour dates, please check the group's Web site.

The group will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" on April 21, and will also be on NBC's "Scrubs" on April 20, performing fan favorite "Light & Day." — Jesse Zeifman [Friday, April 9, 2004]