The Polyphonic Spree
Yes, Its True
(Kirtland Records)
It’s been six years since Tim DeLaughter’s orchestra of musicians released a proper album, 2007’s The Fragile Army. On that album, the group focused their grandiose, symphonic sound on a more aggressive, anti-war sentiment. On Yes, It’s True, the Spree have retained that cynicism, but with a less aggressive tone. Instead of fighting against global issues, the songs on Yes, It’s True are more concerned with personal, modern problems, criticizing technology current trends. But the songs are some of the tightest and most concise of their career. While they still retain the lush orchestrations and large choirs, the fat is trimmed and the ideas are more clear.
Continuing to number their tracks from the beginning of their career (Yes, It’s True is comprised of “sections” 33-43), places this album in the larger narrative of their musical output. In that sense, they’ve come a long way since the always-jubilant songs of their first album. But musically, the psychedelic palate remains in full swing. They even briefly comment on how the band and its music feels distinctly not-of-this-time. At the end of “Carefully Try,” a radio DJ comes in, telling us, “Ah yes, the sounds of the ’70s from The Polyphonic Spree.”
Overall, the album is mostly what you’d expect from a Polyphonic Spree album. But that’s absolutely not a bad thing. Their DeLaughter’s songs are as strong as ever, and his intricate and distinctive arranging style never gets old.
