Jul 19, 2007

The Polyphonic Spree - The Fragile Army (TVT Records/Good Records, 2007)

An Open Letter To The Polyphonic Spree:

Dear Polyphonic Spree -

There are far too many of you to name individually, so let me begin by saying thank you to you all for being who you are and for choosing to be a part of something so special. There is much happiness to be had in life, though it is often difficult to find it amongst the sadness and tragedy that seems to be a part of everyday life on an ever-increasing basis. Perhaps the key to finding happiness is through accepting that sadness is an intrinsic part of our lives, embracing that sadness, and transforming it into an energy that we can send back into the world as something positive and uplifting. This is definitely the lesson I have learnt from your music.
Starting with The Beginning Stages Of..., followed by Together We're Heavy, and now, with The Fragile Army, you have created music that has the ability to pick up those who have been beaten and broken; a music that coalesces damaged individuals (and we have all been damaged in some way) into something more powerful - a Fragile Army, if you will.
I have seen you play in London, San Franciso, Los Angeles, and, most recently, New York, and each time I have been amazed by not only the music, energy and sheer joy that pours forth from the stage, but also the genuine feeling of rapture that surges through the audience. In the '60s, a Polyphonic Spree show would have certainly been referred to as a happening, and I can strongly attest that it is a happening that all should be a part of at least once in their life.
In a world in which it can often be difficult to see the sun for the dark clouds, thank you for fighting the good fight and doing your best to make the world a brighter place to exist.

Younger Yesterday,
Ben @ inhighfidelity.com

Check Out: www.myspace.com/polyphonicspree