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Dallas’ merry troupe of symphonic popsters, The Polyphonic Spree recently released a sampler. “Wait” (Good Records, $4.98), a five-song EP, contains three cover tracks: The Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way,” Nirvana’s “Lithium,” and Tripping Daisy’s Spree leader Tim DeLaughter’s former band “Sonic Bloom.”
There are also two new tracks, “Mental Cabaret” and “I’m Calling,” from the band’s anticipated album “The Fragile Army,” which is due next year.
This affordable appetizer might tide over Spree fans during the holidays. The band recently announced that Santa and his elves are taking a break this yuletide season. For the first time in six years, the Polyphonic Christmas Extravaganza concert will not happen. Bah-humbug.
The band is apparently too busy mixing the new album and prepping for a world tour. What a shame. Listening to the Spree’s chest-rattling version of “Little Drummer Boy” is already a Christmas tradition. And for the past couple of years, the holiday extravaganza was when super-gay choral member and New York-based graphic designer Jamie Welch flexed his chops.
Daniel A. Kusner
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This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, November 10, 2006.