polyphonic

About the Artist
With their confident stage presence Alex Murdoch and The Polyphonics give the audience a professional, energetic performance. Alex and the members of the Polyphonics have shared billings with such greats as Everclear, Moist, The Skydiggers, The Gandharvas, Bruce Cockburn, and Danny Michel to name a few. They have played in countless venues throughout Canada and appeared at such prestigious music festivals as The Dawson City Music Festival, Kispiox Valley Music Festival, Frostbite, Into The Night and many others. Alex Murdoch and The Polyphonics have more than enough experience to take on any sized venue and wow any crowd.

Product Description:
Alex Murdoch's West Coast Music Award nominated "polyphonic" is a fresh new album by a young Canadian artist that is sure to hit home with listeners.

His confident vocal performance, combined with catchy pop melodies has created a distinctly modern album. "polyphonic" is one of the freshest commercial sounds to come around in awhile.

The award nominated disc has received a great deal of positive press, and local, college and national radio play has been very promising. The first single, "Afraid" reached number 1 on the New Music Canada charts and has remained in the top 10 for over 3 months. Fans have eaten up the CD, having consumed the entire first printed run since it's release in August 2001.

Tracks:

Walsingham
Can she excuse my wrongs?
Ryght honorable: as I have bin most bounde unto your honor
Flow my tears
Have you seen the bright lily grow
Then in time passing on Mr. Johnson died
The Most High and Mighty Christianus the Fourth, King of Denmark
The lowest trees have tops
And accordinge as I desired ther cam a letter
Fine knacks for ladies
From thenc I went to the Landgrave of Hessen
Fantasy
Come, heavy sleep
Forlorn Hope Fancy
And from thence I had great desire to see Italy
Come again
Wilt thou unkind thus reave me
After my departure I caled to mynde our conference
Weep you no more, sad fountains
My Lord Willoughbys Welcome Home
Clear or cloudy
Men say that the Kinge of Spain is making gret preparation
In darkness let me dwell

Amazon.com

In choosing to cover the music of John Dowland (1563-1626), who is known as the "melancholy madrigalist" from his output of cheerful ditties like "Flow My Tears," Police bandleader Sting has entered into a whole new realm of austere eeriness. Originally inspired by the gift of a lute, the rock superstar and activist sings the songs, deliciously sweet and tender or spirited by turn, accompanying himself, with Edin Karamazov sitting on lute and archlute. For listeners accustomed to hearing material of this period interpreted by rigorously trained early music stylists, especially countertenors and the like, Sting's sometimes tight-jawed, chest-heavy vocals may seem amateurish. It's undeniable that in four-part harmonies, the singer, tightly overdubbed, comes across like a combination of the Swingle Singers and Queen (meaning Freddy Mercury and crew, NOT the first Elizabeth). But it's important to remember that music of this period was routinely heard as a casual diversion in private homes, even more often than at Court. It was considered a crucial social skill to be able to join in with an adequate degree of skill, but not everyone was able to negotiate the perilous melodic twists and turns typical of the era's music. With this in mind, the overall effect is of a candle-lit, postprandial entertainment in the home of an English gentleman. Muttered readings from Dowland's letters and brief snippets of sampled birdsong aside, it is a courageous effort, displaying heartfelt admiration for the composer and a considerable degree of earnest charm. --Christina Roden

Album Description

StingÂ's Songs From The Labyrinth is an album of 17th century music composed by John Dowland and performed on the lute, an ancient acoustic guitar. After being given a lute nearly two years ago as a gift, Sting became fascinated and immersed himself with the instrument and the history of lute music. Reminded of his almost 25 year long enthrallment with the works of John Dowland, the Elizabethan composer who wrote songs for the lute, Sting has recorded a new album of vocal and lute music. All songs were composed by Dowland in the 17th century, but have been given new life in these fresh new recordings by Sting. Sting not only sings all the songs (accompanied by leading lutenist Edin Karamasov, who appears on two Andreas Scholl albums), but also plays lute on two instrumental duets with Edin and reads short extracts from a fascinating autobiographical letter by Dowland. Sting has also written a brilliant account of the album's genesis, along with notes on the individual tracks, which serves as the CD booklet.

Customer Reviews:

*sigh*.......2007-07-16

I am a lutenist myself, who had experience as both a rock guitarist and a classically trained clarinetist before also picking up the lute. I have a great love for Dowland that comes from years of playing his songs myself as well as hearing great musicians (like Paul O'Dette) play them. And this CD makes me sad.

In a way, it doesn't surprise me that Sting would do this. For years now he's been trying to gain cred in the classical music world (I have a 1988 recording of him doing Stravinsky's A Soldier Tale that delighted me when I was 16 and musically ignorant, but now makes my eyes roll into the back of my head). What upsets me is he had to do something that's initimately important to me as a musician. The is problem is that when it comes this kind of music, as others have said, he IS an amatuer, and all his heavy-handed, juvenile earnesty and clumsy, misplaced intensity just drains out all the joy I would normally experience from these songs. Moreover, he's voice isn't merely "untrained" - it's *shot* from years of strain caused by bad "rock" vocal technique. It's just pitiful to listen to in such an exposed context. If you think this is how these songs ought to be intrepreted, you're sadly mistaken.

There are people who would call Sting a "pop genius, " laud him and hand him all sort of impressive looking awards and honors, but this is the music of a real genius, someone who knew not just how to write lyrics that hit home with his audience, but as how to compose songs with unparallel grace, form and sophistication in an idiosyncratic style that bridged convention and innovation. And Sting simply cannot do Dowland's music justice. He just doesn't have the chops or the insight. It's great he's supposedly "studied" this music and that he wrote lengthy, flowery liner notes, but did he really need to record this CD for any reason that his own self-satisfaction? It's far too obvious he hasn't done the same level of groundwork of countless Early Music musicians who don't do this a hobby or avocation from political causes or high-profile celebrity, but as their sole passion. Why couldn't he simply support those musicians, without trying to grab some spotlight for himself? Having a decent lutenist as a sidekick just isn't enough to pull him up from his amatuerly, self-important bog, either. Frankly, he just doesn't get it, and at this stage, I don't think he will.

Early music lovers don't need someone like Sting to bring this music to us - we've been doing just fine without him because we have so many other, really wonderful musicians around to keep this music alive. Someone else recommended Nigel Rogers and Paul O'Dette, and I would gladly recommend them over this celebrity-fuel nonsense as well. Yes these are both musicians with academic backgrounda, but that doesn't mean they are academic musicians - far from it. They just have to hold down teaching positions and do master classes because they don't have a pop career to play the bills. Musicially and professionally, they're what Early Music musicians ought to be - dedicated, educated, passionate and yet they don't have any need to take themselves this deathly seriously.

Elizabethan Music.......2007-07-12

This is the audio component of an hour long video made by Sting on the work of Elizabethan composer John Dowland. (The video does adds greatly to the value as it places the music against the background and age (16th C) for which it was written.) Sting's voice is light tenor and right for these poems set to music about everlasting human concerns that persist to our day. But you'll not see those wonderful lutes that accompany the words, so complex to play with a beauty of sound not heard today. Between his music Sting gives an excellent spoken commentary to complete an attractive presentation of esoteric classical music with a modern undertone.

Vibe shift.......2007-07-10

Why bother? Still would like to say i love the 'shift' it takes to get into this music and how i (and my home) feel when i've enter this rather rarified realm of listening.

Gorgeous, pure and unexpected.......2007-07-06

This music is so pure, so clean, so well performed by two excellent musicians, Edin Karamasov, and Sting, that it put shivers up my spine. Edin is an excellent classical lutenist and Sting's tenor voice is perfect for the music. It was a surprise hearing a rock musician perform this music, but Sting always surprises, continuing to develop as a musican. I will hear this one in my sleep, echoing.

Soul music.......2007-07-05

Have you ever walked a labryinth? Let Sting walk with you either if you are new or an ole' timer at it. This is music for and from the soul.

Average customer rating:

If you're Happy and you know it, get this Disk....
The Spree take a Side-Step
The Spree Unleashed At Last!
Wow!!!
Never bothered to listen to these guys- mistake!

The Fragile Army
The Polyphonic Spree
Manufacturer: TVT Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000QEIOXK
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Section 21 [Together We're Heavy]
Section 22 [Running Away]
Section 23 [Get Up And Go]
Section 24 [The Fragile Army]
Section 25 [Younger Yesterday]
Section 26 [We Crawl]
Section 27 [Mental Cabaret]
Section 28 [Guaranteed Nightlite]
Section 29 [Light To Follow]
Section 30 [Watch Us Explode (Justify)]
Section 31 [Overblow Your Nest]
Section 32 [The Championship]

Amazon.com

No one ever thought a '60s throwback with choral vocals and exuberant horn sections wearing white robes cast off from Godspell would become a hit, but that was the case for the Polyphonic Spree and their 2004 album, Together We're Heavy. Singer Tim DeLaughter and his co-composer and fellow singer Julie Doyle have taken their baroque sound and moved it beyond a gimmick on The Fragile Army. They've also been listening to a lot of English rock in the interim. Echoes of David Bowie abound, from DeLaughter's slightly whiney vocals to the dense production. "Get Up and Go" could've been right out of Ziggy Stardust, and the title track sounds like a cross between Bowie and Pink Floyd's The Wall. It's no mistake that Bowie pianist Mike Garson shows up on the disc. There are all kinds of psychedelic touches, with odd time signatures, multi-part song structures, and symphonic flourishes. Even the mix sounds very '60s, with echo-chamber voices, intentionally over-compressed drums, and strings sometimes panned hard left--something that often happened on early psychedelic records because they ran out of recording tracks. Songs like "Mental Cabaret" are hallucinogenic sprawls of classical strings, music-hall horns, and crushing, time-slipping grooves. You either love the Spree for their trippy, power-driven "Up With People" anthems or despite those attributes. Yet there's little denying their infectious attraction. If you took away the cultish robes and feel-good vibes, I suspect this would be heralded like the latest Arcade Fire or Radiohead disc. And you know what? The Polyphonic Spree have reportedly dropped the white robes for black military garb --and there's a touch of darkness to the album, with lyrics declaring "It's time for you to lose your excitement" and "One day soon the world comes down and says goodbye." But regardless of some ominous offerings, you ultimately just have to succumb to the joy. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

If you're Happy and you know it, get this Disk...........2007-07-05

I saw this magnificent ensemble last Saturday in DC and want to say that they are wonderful live. This disk is supposed to be deeper and darker than the other Spree offerings, and it is, but it's still the Spree, so it's still happy and affirming and absolutely the kind of music that people with hope for their Children would produce. Others have described the tracks, so I won't bother. I would like to see a live disk from this band and I love their cover of Nirvana's Lithium, which ain't on the disk.

If you want a soundtrack to a hopeful and happy life, get this disk and let the Spree accompany your happiness.

The Spree take a Side-Step.......2007-06-29

Make no mistake. This is a solid record. It's also an improvement on past work in some ways. Unfortunately, it seems that Tim and company have taken two steps forward and two steps back.

This release shows a return of sorts for Tim Delaughter to a songwriting style reminiscent of his work with Tripping Daisy. Gone almost completely are the lyrics consisting of four to eight lines which get repeated over and over again (thankfully). Instead, we get lyrical ideas which are almost entirely fleshed out. The end result is a collection of songs which are well-constructed, concise, and almost unrelentingly cheerful.

Sadly, it's this merit which is also the album's downfall. The formulaic songwriting works until about half-way through the album, and while the songs of the second half are just as strong as those of the first, it's hard to notice because there's really nothing new to surprise you by the time you get that far. And while it's nice to have more concise songs, we lose those magically epic moments found in tracks such as "Suitcase Calling" and "When the Fool Becomes a King" from their 2004 release "Together We're Heavy."

Another issue facing this record is the orchestration. While past Spree albums have placed more of an emphasis on the orchestral instruments, this album sounds like an indie-rock/pop band merely augmenting its sound with expanded instrumentation. The "extra" players are given the role of extras and don't come out of those roles very often. Even the quaint little choir is downplayed on this album. The standard rock instruments give the arrangements very little room to breathe for most of the album and little room for the tiny orchestra to shine.

However, this album shouldn't be discarded completely. There are some great tunes here including the first single "Running Away," and the track "Mental Cabaret" which made a previous appearance on the oft overlooked "Wait" EP. These songs hit us full force with the joy that The Polyphonic Spree have become so well known for. However, the end result is really something that doesn't quite harness the band's full potential. Hopefully we can look forward to them achieving that in the future.

The Spree Unleashed At Last!.......2007-06-22

If there was ever any question as to whether the Polyphonic Spree could rock your freakin socks off, it has been laid to rest with their release of The Fragile Army. This album is, in short, nothing less than a masterpiece, perhaps destined to become the Spree's all-time classic. Almost every song is excellent. The Spree, under the direction of their visionary leader, Tim DeLaughter, have taken their ultra-uplifting, relentlessly optimistic approach to music and injected it with a dose of high octane rock & roll. The result is an album with everything we always loved about the Spree (tremendous choral arrangements, regal brass flourishes, and smiley-faced lyrics), plus a bunch of new things to love (cool guitar leads, compact song structures, and a slightly harder edge). Although I loved Together We're Heavy (and still do), this is a more focused, catchy, and immediate collection of songs.

The album begins with a cool intro taken from the end of Together We're Heavy, and quickly blasts into high gear with Section 22 (Running Away). This song is clearly meant to attract the attention of new fans, with its driving beat and catchy melody. The excitement level (and volume) stays set at 11 for Section 23 (Get Up and Go), which gives us the first dose of the Spree's compelling new sound. The stomping rock beat and strident guitar leads are sure to grab your attention, while DeLaughter's sports announcer vocals ring out over the din. This is followed by the epic title track, which features a great, building middle section. The best song on the album, and one of the Spree's best ever, is Section 29 (Light to Follow). Beginning with a startling techno drum beat and ambient synthesizers, it contains some truly impressive moments that set it apart even amidst the many other great songs. Other highlights include the gentler We Crawl, the broadway-esque Guaranteed Nightlight, and The Championship.

Wow!!!.......2007-06-22

Every now and then I hear an album that just blows me away. Fragile Army is one of those albums. Raconteurs did it for me last year; the Spree has done it this year. I've been a Spree fan for a while now, but this album just really happened for them. It all came together; songs are brilliant. In short, I'm just amazed. Favorite tracks for me are "Get Up and Go" which is just wonderful psychedelic rock, Mental Cabaret, Overblow Your Nest, and The Championship. I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could!

Never bothered to listen to these guys- mistake!.......2007-06-20

I never jumped (or perhaps floated)on this particular band wagon. From friend's descriptions it sounded way too hippiesque for my tastes. On a lark I purchased this album and have not been dissapointed. This disc reminds me a bit of Pink Floyd during their Wall era with a dash of Arcade Fire althouh it is almost relentlessly upbeat.

20+ members, harmonies, strings, weird 60ish arangements. Pretty satisfying all in all. I don't know that I will become a convert but I dig this disc. If you enjoy some of the newer bands to come out as of late like the Arcade Fire and grew up listening to oldies this could be for you. Especially if you like a little more layering to your music, providing an opportunity to discover a little more on each listen.

Average customer rating:

The Fragile Army are rocking out!
The Fragile Army and the Strong Spirited Band

The Fragile Army (Bonus Dvd)
The Polyphonic Spree
Manufacturer: TVT Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000QFAG44
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Section 21 [Together We're Heavy]
Section 22 [Running Away]
Section 23 [Get Up And Go]
Section 24 [The Fragile Army]
Section 25 [Younger Yesterday]
Section 26 [We Crawl]
Section 27 [Mental Cabaret]
Section 28 [Guaranteed Nightlite]
Section 29 [Light To Follow]
Section 30 [Watch Us Explode (Justify)]
Section 31 [Overblow Your Nest]
Section 32 [The Championship]

Product Description

Special Edition CD/DVD set includes bonus dvd with 51 minute movie about the making of the album and a unique music video for the title track, "The Fragile Army." This 2 disc set is packaged with a cloth embroidered patch placed on the front of the jewel case, under the shrink wrap. The patch can be ironed on or sewn on.

Customer Reviews:

The Fragile Army are rocking out!.......2007-07-05

Yet another fine release from The Polyphonic Spree. Great songs! The Championship and Light To Follow being the best.
The Championship should have been a 10-15 minute classic, which I'm sure it will be live.
The Polyphonic Spree are one of the best live bands going around today, and the songs from The Fragile Army are going to be an amazing addition to their live show.
Come back to Australia soon!!!

The Fragile Army and the Strong Spirited Band.......2007-07-01

Being one of the most intriguing bands of the past seven years can be a tough role to maintain when the business of pop rock music frequently demands bigger and better things from the artists and bands that employ the style. Though nowhere near the fringe of mainstream and typical pop, the Polyphonic Spree shows battle scars from the relentless struggle between indie success and the desire to make a career out of one's craft.

Sure, the Spree have many, many fans across the globe and they're surely receiving back what they most certainly deserve, but never have they appeared too focused on the business side of the career. That's what makes "The Fragile Army" such a rich experience.

No longer alienating and (as) peculiar as they were on their first full-length release "The Beginning Stages of... The Polyphonic Spree," Tim and the band have chosen a fuller, more rock-based approach to this latest release. The choral vocals and Tim's sometimes-heartaching vocals still exist, however, as many tracks still promote personal gain through positivity and the ignorance of everything sour and unhealthy. (They are sugary sweet, aren't they?) This has not changed much, and to tell you the truth, this makes them better. Sticking to one's formula, though sometimes a crutch and a means to sound dated, can also be a boon as the Spree show in bunches with "The Fragile Army."

...though it sounds so much...bigger.

Every track, with the exception of the short intro opener, has an erupting boom of multi-instrumentalist sound and fury. Guitars and drums take center stage as the harps, flutes and other secondary instruments seem to have fallen back just a bit. Again, going for a bigger, more full sound may have required a bit less experimentation. Trust me, though.. this is still the Spree. A little more confident, maybe, but nevertheless a wonderful "maturation" of their sound.

There's also no shortage of hooks and sing-songy melodies to help define each track. While it can possibly be said that some of the tracks are "helped" greatly by others on the album, this was probably the intent, as even the liner notes suggest and recommend that users treat the album as one full piece rather than simply a bunch of tracks. I love the Spree for this simply because they treat their creations as something more than a CD full of singles. (Hear that pop mainstream?)

In traditional Spree fashion, "The Fragile Army" continues the...well, continuance...of "sections." This album picks up directly where "Together We're Heavy" leaves off. Once again, this takes the Spree into the realm of pseudo-legendary status as the songs are treated as being very important pieces to the full puzzle, the full idea of the Polyphonic Spree.

As I mentioned, the experimental aspect of what the Spree has been offering us for the past handful of years now has taken a bit of a backseat to the more standard stylings of pop rock. Listening to the first album, to the second and now this third full-length release, you can tell that certain bits and pieces of what made them unique to begin with are slowly, but surely, fading out, however, they have NOT lost any of their spirit or their magic that makes them such a fun listen. If I could hear more of their history in their present day material, I'd give "The Fragile Army" a full five stars.

Take it as four and a half. This album is very, very well done and even non-fans of the Spree may find this as enchanting as I do.

---

The bonus DVD is a very interesting look at the making of this particular album. While it contains the video for the title track, the introspective, strangely voyeuristic documentary on the band is a definite must-see for fans. Tim and the band obviously work very, very hard on their creation and it shows not only in the final product, but the amateurish footage present in the DVD.

Excellent album, excellent add-on to said album.

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD)

Average customer rating:

Surprisingly enjoyable....
The Journey & The Labyrinth
To buy or not to buy, that is the question
Enchanting, visually stunning
The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey

The Journey & The Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland (DVD & CD)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland)
In Perugia
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ASIN: B000MGBTHA
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Tracks:

Flow My Tears (Lachrimae)
The Lowest Trees Have Tops
Fantasy
Come Again
Have You Seen The Bright Lilly Grow
In Darkness Let Me Dwell
Hell Hound On My Trail
Message In A Bottle

Tracks:

'Come Again'
Project Origin
'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'
The Lute And The Labyrinth
'The Lowest Trees Have Tops'
'Flow My Tears'
Dowland's Exile
'Clear Or Cloudy'
Political Intrigue
'Have You Seen The Bright Lily Grow'
'Weep You No More Sad Foutain'
'Le Rossignol'
Religion
Sting And The Lute
'Come, Heavy Sleep'
'In Darkness Let Me dwell'
Choir Rehersal
'Fine Knacks For Ladies'
'Can She Excuse My Wrongs'

Amazon.com

Recorded at St. Luke's Cathedral in London, The Journey and the Labyrinth continues Sting and lute player Edin Karamazov's exploration of the music of John Dowland. The bulk of this material first appeared on 2006's Songs from the Labyrinth. Performed live and placed in a setting concurrent with the life of the 16th-century composer, the songs feel tied to their origins in profound ways. The grand room's ambiance is made apparent with the reverberating applause at the close of each selection. The closing two numbers show how this 400-year-old music has aspects very much in sync with relatively contemporary works. Both Robert Johnson's "Hellhound on My Trail" and Sting's own Police hit "Message in a Bottle" utilize crisply delineated melodies and spare but robust accompaniment. A DVD is included in the set, as well. Elegantly produced, it not only offers the live performance featured on the CD, but also provides Sting's own thoughtfully articulated connections to this still vibrantly romantic music. --David Greenberger

Album Description

On the heels of his acclaimed recording, Songs from the Labyrinth, Sting furthers his fascination with Elizabethan composer John Dowland (1563-1626) on The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland. This new DVD/CD package includes an extended version of Sting's first-ever PBS special from Thirteen/WNET New York's Great Performances (airing February 26th, 2007), as well as a live bonus audio CD.

Sting recently released the striking CD Songs from the Labyrinth, which introduced audiences to his passion for Dowland. With an astounding thirteen weeks and counting as Billboard's #1 Traditional Classical album, the record, called "vivid and romantic" by the Wall Street Journal, has resonated with Sting and Dowland aficionados alike. The album also captured the top spot on the classical charts not only in the U.S. but also in England, Canada, France and Germany.

The Journey and the Labyrinth: The Music of John Dowland, directed and produced by the Emmy-award winning team Jim Gable and Ann Kim of Graying & Balding, Inc., delves deeper into Sting's relationship with the sixteenth-century figure, who has captivated generations with his songs composed primarily for lute, which Sting tackles along with esteemed lutenist Edin Karamazov. Filmed appropriately at Lake House, Sting's 16-century manor house in Wiltshire, and in the ancient gardens of Il Palagio, his home in Italy, the DVD also features the performers before a live audience at St. Luke's Church in London.

Interspersed between performances of such timeless Dowland songs such as "Can She Excuse My Wrongs," "Come Again," and "Flow My Tears," are discussions with musicologists David Pinto and Anthony Rooley of the composer's place in music history and his relevance today, plus recitations by Sting from Dowland's personal correspondence.

In a rare live appearance performing Dowland's music, Sting and Karamazov's concert at St. Luke's Church in London was also captured as a live audio recording and serves as the bonus CD included in the package. Featuring selections from Labyrinth, the CD also contains the consummate hit "Message in a Bottle" arranged for lute, as well as a rendition of the Robert Johnson blues classic, "Hell Hound."

More Sting

Fields of Gold

The Dream of the Blue Turtles

Songs from the Labyrinth

Customer Reviews:

Surprisingly enjoyable...........2007-05-21

I have been a Sting/Police fan since my youth, and I have to admit - I was very skeptical when I first heard about this latest venture from Sting. After hearing some of the tracks, the disc began to grow on me. The DVD is the highlight here. Beautifully photographed, and intelligently produced. The performances in and around Sting's Tuscan villa are breathtaking. The live performances are nice as well. Very little was known about this John Dowland man, but he seems to have been quite the character. I'm glad I added this to my collection.

The Journey & The Labyrinth.......2007-05-13

The album was just fantastic! Very different from Sting's usual music. He should do more of it.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question.......2007-04-24

When I was younger, I went on a wine-appreciation course. The first thing I was told was: "Don't let snobs dictate your taste to you: if you like chilled red wine with fish, *drink* chilled red wine with fish!"

Over the years, I have found this to be good advice, and not just about wine.

70 years ago, Andrés Segovia played the Bach Chaconne for the first time in Paris. He said "I could measure my success by the rage of the violinists." But the guitarists didn't care. Nowadays Bach on the guitar is commonplace.

50 years ago, lutenists criticised Julian Bream for playing their instrument like a guitar. He said "It's my job to blow the dust off these things."

It always miffs insiders when an outsider comes along and brings their speciality to a new audience, even though they may publicly applaud him for doing so: it will be a lucky outsider who doesn't get stick for not doing things the "correct" way.

So the Amazon (and other) reviewers of "Songs from the Labyrinth" fall (for the most part) into two camps: Early Music buffs, and Sting fans. As I joined the Lute Society in 1973, and reviewed Early Music for several years, I suppose I must be considered to fall more into the former category than the latter.

But, it seems to me that all the discussion of "authenticity", impassioned and learnèd though it may be, is irrelevant. The only important questions are: Has the performer made a serious attempt to understand what's going on in the music? and Does he bring something fresh to it?

In Sting's case, the answer is clearly Yes to both. And that said, the only other thing of importance is whether you like the result.

I do like it, and I'm glad to see I'm not alone, even among us old fogeys. And with music samples and now video samples available on-line, you don't have to play guessing games to know whether you will too.

The DVD
======

Over and above the value of the music, the DVD is very well put together. There are songs, lute music, anecdotes and historical discussions, all skilfully and entertainly intercut, and each complete in itself but not so long that the attention of the newcomer will start to wander. You can see Edin trying not to laugh when Tony Rooley and David Pinto almost get into an argument. And the whole thing is visually gorgeous. My favourite bit is where Sting fissions into four and sings a quartet with himself, sitting around a table.

By the way, there are a couple of "in" jokes that may go over the heads of those new to this music:

Sting ribs Edin about giving him the hard part in the anonymous lute duet "Le Rossignol"; in fact, the two parts are virtually identical, one being an echo of the other, merely four bars "out of phase".

More subtle is the somewhat unexpected appearance of "Hellhound on my Trail", which is of course by the noted blues singer Robert Johnson murdered in 1938 (but somehow copyright 1990, it says here). Another Robert Johnson, also a lutenist (and son of that John Johnson whose vacated position Dowland failed to secure at the court of Elizabeth I), was one of Dowland's colleagues at the court of James I. He was the composer of "Have You Seen the Bright Lily Grow", so the DVD contains works by two different Robert Johnsons.

Lutenists will be interested to note that Edin Karamazov plays (right hand) thumb under, although Dowland himself switched in mid-life from thumb-under to thumb-over -- presumably for what seemed to him to be good reasons. He is clearly a fine player with a great deal of facility, but I feel obliged to say that his Dowland Fantasy (P. 6, for those that are interested) seems to me a bit of a mess. Don't take my word for it; you already know Anthony Rooley, and his version is on Renaissance Fantasias. It's also on disc 8 of his mammoth 12-disc set, with his wife (the famous singer Emma Kirkby) and The Consort of Musicke: Dowland -- The Collected Works. Here are some more versions for comparison:

Christopher Wilson: Rosa
Julian Bream: Lute Music from the Royal Courts of Europe
Jakob Lindberg: Dowland -- Complete Solo Lute Music

Where to go from here
================

The person who spearheaded the revival of interest in Dowland, and the lute in general, was Julian Bream. No one ever breathed more life into this music, and if you're new to the lute, you can't go wrong with his recordings, many of which are still available.

On the other hand, if Sting is your thing, Bream's Dowland songs with Sir Peter Pears are unlikely to be. Nevertheless, you can hear them on Heavenly Love, Earthly Joy.

Of Bream's successors, one of his personal favourites certainly seems to be Nigel North: you can read Sir Julian's glowing tribute on Nigel's website. Only two volumes of Dowland's music by Nigel have so far appeared, though: (Vol. 1) & (Vol. 2).

The complete lute music is available from Jakob Lindberg (mentioned above) and from Paul O'Dette (Complete Lute Works -- also as individual discs), two of my personal favourite players. If you liked "Le Rossignol", you will certainly enjoy them together on English Lute Duets.

The acknowledged authority on Dowland in her day was the late Diana Poulton. She is the author of the standard biography (Faber & Faber, ISBN 0-520-04687-0), and also editor of the Collected Lute Music (Faber Music, ISBN 0-571-10024-4).

The Lute
======

Lute sales have quadrupled, says the Lute Society. If you're thinking "well, I can play the guitar: how hard can the lute be?", think again. By all means take it up, but it's a *very* different instrument!

The British and American Lute Societies can both be found on line.

And now my 1,000 words are up. Good hunting!

Enchanting, visually stunning.......2007-04-18

It seems at first like Sting really stretched on this one, but if you're a dedicated fan, you'll see that his career has been leading here all along. Think of "St. Agnes and the Burning Train" on his "Soul Cages" CD. The four-hundred-year-old music of John Dowland is haunting, and Sting brings it to vibrant life with reverence and enthusiasm. Listen, and you'll be drawn into an older world that at times feels surprisingly familiar, a world of love with all it's faces, melencholy, religious persecution, and career ambition. The DVD was filmed at Sting's personal residences, and if you love atmosphere, it's all here. I recommend the DVD over the CD alone, because the images of Sting singing in those beautiful surroundings help overcome the cultural difference for those who have never heard music like this before. Also, you'll get to hear "Message in a bottle," arranged for the lute on this one, recorded on the companion CD.

The Journey & The Labyrinth: ---A real Journey.......2007-04-10

this was an awesome work. The music was great, and the documentary...really interesting.

if you love music or you are an artist, this is inspirational and entertaining.

this project was a wonderful surprise!!

Average customer rating:

nice to remember
It is amazing!!!
The best Latin music I've heard
60's and the Latin Mass
Latinlover

Catholic Latin Classics

Manufacturer: Gia Publications
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Salve Regina: Gregorian Chant
Treasured Hymns of the Church/ Catholic
Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants, Vol. 1
Gregorian Chants: The Best of the Benedictine Monks of St. Michael's
Lost in Meditation: Meditative Gregorian Chants

ASIN: B00004YRAW
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

Ave Maria
O Salutaris Hostia
Panis Angelicus - John Eskola
Tantum Ergo
Ave Maria - Lorelei McDermott
O Sanctissima
O Bone Jesu
Ave Verum Corpus
Jubilate Deo
Confirma Hoc Deus
Adoro Te, O Panis
O Esca Viatorum
Veni, Jesu, Amor Mi
Emitte Spiritum Tuum
Adoremus In Aeternum - William Combs
Ave Maris Stella
Regina Caeli Laetare
Adoramus Te, Christe - The Cathedral Singers/Richard Proulx T
Tantum Ergo
Ecce Sacerdos Magnus

Customer Reviews:

nice to remember.......2007-01-04

Takes my husband & I back to the 60s........not a bad memory......

It is amazing!!!.......2006-11-10

I am very happy with my purchase. This item is better than what I was expecting. It was amazing how fast I received my order, I highly recommend it and hope that more people order it.

The best Latin music I've heard.......2006-04-18

The music in this CD is done beautifully! If features "Panis Angelicus", which if you like Charlotte Church singing it, you will like this- with a man's voice! There is no goofy revisions and modernization done to the music that I can tell. (I only say that in case some smart 15th century music history scholar comes around and disagrees!) It is very peaceful and will help anyone to calm down and give thanks to God. I think because the music is in Latin you will not grow tired of it as easily, and not to mention the fact that this music will continue to inspire you and put you in the presence of Christ better. OHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! How I wish we were singing this sort of Latin music instead of "All our Welcome" and "Sing a new Church"! Let's keep the same Church Christ established thank you! And let's keep the Latin!!!!!!!

60's and the Latin Mass.......2006-03-15

I am one of those 60s people. We did not throw out the Latin mass. Why would we? We liked it. I served most of the high masses of the holidays. It was a small cabal of newly ordained priests and bishops in the Vatican II committees who threw it out. They wanted to be more like their Protestant bretheren; have the congregation face them instead of God. Read the book MISSING MARY while you are listening to this CD. They threw her out at the same time; no women in high places - their answer to the feminists of the 60s.

Latinlover.......2005-12-18

As a devoted lover of Catholic Latin hymns, I was disappointed at the enemic presentation of these beautiful hymns to God. I believe that the singers had the best of intentions but I would suggest to look for other versions of these wonderful songs to heaven.

Average customer rating:

Follow The Day
Is this children's music?
Buy Circulatory System Instead
Something truly new
polyphonic what?

The Beginning Stages Of...
The Polyphonic Spree
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Together We're Heavy
Thumbsucker
Wait
The Fragile Army (Bonus Dvd)
The Fragile Army

ASIN: B00009V7TI
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Have A Day/Celebratory
It's The Sun
Days Like This Keep Me Warm
La La
Middle Of The Day
Hanging Around The Day Part 1
Hanging Around The Day Part 2
Soldier Girl
Light & Day/Reach For The Sun
A Long Day

Tracks:

Have A Day
It's The Sun
Soldier Girl
Light & Day

Customer Reviews:

Follow The Day.......2007-07-04

While surfing TV, on a SCRUBS re-run, I suddenly see a roomful of people in robes start into an infectious pop song. Based on this performance, I'm curious! It's the song called LIGHT AND DAY.
Research got me as far as this disc. But along the way, we learned that THE ETERNAL SUNLIGHT OF A SPOTLESS MIND film also happened to like this tune well enough to include it.

Is this children's music?.......2006-02-01

Lose the french horn, the flower-gazing feel-good aura, the gaudy on-stage robes, then expand the lyrics beyond the track title, and deLaughter (all the way to the bank, apparently) might have something worthy of adult listening. Ouch much!
P.S. Really, this represents the worst kind of psychedelic revival I've heard, the kind only Christian types could latch their lame, restrictive tastes onto. Yes, I said it!

Buy Circulatory System Instead.......2005-10-04

This is interesting and has its uplifting moments, but it ultimately lacks substance. Circulatory System explores similar terrain but digs deeper (and soars higher) both musically and lyrically. I give Circulatory System five stars.

Something truly new .......2005-08-16

Forget the hype that "new" "retro rock" bands get--- this band is probably the only TRULY new thing that has come up this decade. You have not heard music like this before. Perfectly crafted but not pretentious, simple messages about the beauty of life and music. This is what music is all about--- give the Spree a chance, you won't be disappointed.

polyphonic what?.......2005-04-24

I bought this CD based of some of the customer reviews. I was SO disappointed. If polyphonic means, no two singers ever hit the same tone nor do the voices fit to the music, then well, its polyphonic. The lyrics are just trite, the melodies are poor. Do yourself a favour and listen to the 'Long day' intro above. Do you really want to spend money on more than half an hour of that... that... electronical experiment? If so, my CD is for sale, and I hardly ever do that: usually I find something interesting in almost every kind of music. But in this polyphonic thing, there was just nothing to find.

Average customer rating:

One fantastic track
genius music for a genius film
Spirit Abounds
Delightfully Askew
Smith Die Hards Only

Thumbsucker
The Polyphonic Spree , and Elliott Smith
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

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The Beginning Stages Of...
A Tribute To Elliott Smith
Together We're Heavy
Wait
To: Elliott From: Portland

ASIN: B000AMJEIW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

The Crash
Scream & Shout
Slow Halls
What Would You Let Go
Empty Rooms
Wonderful for You
The Rebecca Fantasy
Thirteen - Elliott Smith
Pink Trash Dream
The Green Lights
Debate Montage
Trouble-Elliott Smith
Skinny Dip
Sourness Makes It Right
Some of the Parts
Matt Schraam
Let's Get Lost - Elliott Smith
Justin's Hypothesis
The Call of the Wild
Wait and See
Move Away and Shine
Acceptance
Move Away and Shine (In a Dream Version)

Amazon.com

The indie drama Thumbsucker, pertaining to a 14-year old boy struggling with the habit that gives the movie its title, gets the symphonic treatment with this original score by Tim DeLaughter of The Polyphonic Spree. Mingling with the flowery orchestration and flute trills are three tracks by the late Elliott Smith, who was involved in the early development of the film with director Mike Mills. While Spree fans have come to expect the full sonic overload of the 20+ strong ensemble, DeLaughter's best track is the one where he picks up a guitar and sings sans backing band, "Wonderful You." DeLaughter is in a delicate situation here, sharing the disc with the superior song craft of Smith. Smith's contributions, including "Let's Get Lost" from From a Basement on the Hill and the never-before-released "Thirteen" and "Trouble" only hint at what this soundtrack might have been. While DeLaughter's tracks make good film music, Smith's stand upright on their own, regardless of context. Ultimately, both contributors provide the soundtrack with a feeling of adolescent melancholy well suited for the film. -- Ryan Boudinot

Album Description

This soundtrack was written and recorded by Tim DeLaughter, frontman for The Polyphonic Spree and also features three tracks from late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, including the original "Let's Get Lost" and covers of Big Star's "Thirteen" and Cat Stevens' "Trouble," the latter believed to be among the last tracks he ever put to tape.

Customer Reviews:

One fantastic track.......2007-04-07

I was listening to this CD for the first time and wasn't feeling very impressed. Perhaps if I saw the film I would appreciate some of the tracks more. I wasn't paying very much attention to the music when I found myself feeling very relaxed and peaceful. The track that was playing was Acceptance and at over 30 minutes long it is worth getting the CD just for this one track. Some day soon I'm going to put this track on repeat and listen to it for most of the day. In fact, I think I'll do that tonight with the volume turned way down. It should make for some very pleasant dreams.

genius music for a genius film.......2006-07-31

I find it extremely irritating when a reviewer with limited knowledge of a film (or, even worse, when a reviewer hasnot watched the film) takes it upon themselves to trash a soundtrack. The qualms I have with this practice are purely due to my aesthetical opinion: certain films require certain types of soundtracks. Some films, like Almost Famous and Snatch, work best with track lists full of imposing titles and in such a circumstance the music, for a moment or two, becomes the focus of the film. In films like Lost in Translation and Thumbsucker, the music never takes a dominant role over the film itself; instead it plays the role of a constant emotional supplement, accurately and beautifully rendering the action on screen through sound. The soundtrack, to any who has watched Thumbsucker, is an amazing work of art and a case study in complementing an amazing film with amazing, yet not overbearing, music. Any viewer, any fan, and any colleague of Mike Mill's will have the same positive reaction to this soundtrack after watching the great film it supports. Reviewers who review soundtracks without watching the movies they stem from, take note: this album was intended as a complement to great film, not a compilation made at the director's whim...I sincerely challenge you to watch the movie and claim that these songs, soaking in emotion, are dry and banal!

Spirit Abounds.......2005-12-22

a thoughtful, fascinating and hypnotic collection of songs from dual geniuses. Evokes a lot of mood, melancholy and joy. Ultimately we feel bemusement at the fallen souls around the indomitable Tim DeLaughter. This work presents the convergence of amazing spirits of our generation.

Delightfully Askew.......2005-12-21

Originally envisioned as an Elliott Smith covers project, Thumbsucker director Mike Mills' soundtrack was thrown into disarray by the sudden death of Smith in 2003. Tim DeLaughter and his band of musical misfits The Polyphonic Spree have ably filled the void left by the demise of the Heatmiser miserablist, taking to the task with gusto. Banjos, piccolos and fluttering additions open the score on The Crash, Scream & Shout and What Would You Let Go sound like amiable Architecture In Helsinki snippets, Wonderful For You is a delicate Tim DeLaughter acoustic piece and the dreamy Acceptance stretches to half an hour in length. Elliott's unfinished Thumbsucker symphonies are offered up in the shape of Trouble, Let's Get Lost and Thirteen, with each track blending neatly with the fragile beauty of the Polyphonic songs swirling around them. Of the Spree highlights, Call Of The Wild is a loud rush, Tim DeLaughter's old band Tripping Daisy is notably resurrected for Debate Montage and Move Away And Shine is an uplifting conclusion.
As with the Thumbsucker movie, The Polyphonic Spree's trek through their debut soundtrack offers lulls, glorious missteps and a final act that serves as a bold benchmark for the future.

Smith Die Hards Only.......2005-12-07

Having not seen the film and how the music is woven into the narrative, I shall only say, that as an album, free of images and cinematic context, the music here is banal, dry, and expunged of interesting melody. There is melody here and there, but it is constituted around an array of endlessly boring arrangements and mediocre singing.

I certainly understand the difference between an actualized song per se and music composed as filler, accenting the images or plot. But this is too much filler and not enough song. For a great album with both songs and cinema-based compositions, see The Graduate soundtrack or Harold and Maude. The Polyphonic Spree continue their role as a poor man's Wayne Coyne. Two stars for the album and Five for Elliott, Cat, and Big Star. Smith die-hards need only purchase.

Average customer rating:

Quality stop-gap EP from the Spree
Really like this
Euphoria is wearing off

Wait
The Polyphonic Spree
Manufacturer: Junket Boy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Fragile Army (Bonus Dvd)
Together We're Heavy
The Beginning Stages Of...
Thumbsucker
The Fragile Army

ASIN: B000ILDYEA
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Tracks:

Mental Cabaret (from the forthcoming album "The Fragile Army")
Love My Way (Psychedelic Furs)
Sonic Bloom (Tripping Daisy)
Lithium (Nirvana)
I'm Calling (from the forthcoming album "The Fragile Army")

Product Description

THE POLYPHONIC SPREE have a new album, THE FRAGILE ARMY, coming in February of 2007, but they want to give you a taste right now! This 5-song EP features 2 tracks from the album, plus 3 cover songs originally made popular by Psychedelic Furs, Nirvana, and Tim DeLaughters original band, Tripping Daisy! 1) Mental Cabaret, 2) Love My Way, 3) Sonic Bloom, 4) Lithium, 5) I'm Calling

Customer Reviews:

Quality stop-gap EP from the Spree.......2007-06-22

While the main reason for this EP's existence is to throw a bone to the fans who were waiting for "The Fragile Army" (the title says it all), this is not to be passed over. "Mental Cabaret" is a strong track as is "I'm Calling," a song which has become a personal favorite of mine. Sadly the latter is not included on "Army," so it joins the covers as a track exclusive to this release. Longtime fans of Tim's work with Tripping Daisy will likely appreciate the jubilant update to the already jubilant "Sonic Bloom," which benefits greatly from the added harp, horn and choir parts. The Psychedelic Furs cover is a nice addition and the band's update of Nirvana's "Lithium" will either make you grin ear to ear or make you throw the CD out the window. All in all, a strong release (unless you are a devout follower in the Cult of the terribly over-rated Kurt Cobain).

Really like this.......2007-05-24

I think this a really good ep. I like the songs that are going to be on the new cd..Well worth the price

Euphoria is wearing off.......2007-03-28

My first exposure to this band was a live performance a few years ago, and I was swept up in the euphoria. I bought the first CD, and I thought, "Meh, okay, so they're a LIVE band first and foremost." I bought the second CD and was like, "Meh, okay, so they're STILL a live band." The included bonus DVD of a live performance was great.

I saw them a few more times, and they were still pretty entertaining, but it was becoming clearer to me that the appeal was in the novelty of their appearance and the joyous presentation they gave onstage.

I bought this CD, and now, I think, I'm probably done buying Polyphonic Spree CDs. Kurt Cobain is turning over in his grave, and I'm not feeling so good myself.

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers

Average customer rating:

Very pleased
Sumptuous and mellow
One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals
A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal
A wide variety

All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers
John Dowland , Thomas Morley , Thomas Weelkes , John Wilbye , William Byrd , John Farmer , and The King's Singers
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals
The King"s Singers: English Renaissance
Olde English Madrigals & Folk Songs at Ely Cathedral
Madrigal History Tour
Annie Laurie ~ Folksongs of the British Isles / Barrueco · The King's Singers

ASIN: B000002RPZ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

English Madrigals: A Little Pretty Bonny Lass
English Madrigals: Weep No More, Thou Sorry Boy
English Madrigals: Shoot False Love
English Madrigals: Now Is The Month Of Maying
English Madrigals: Four Arms, Two Necks, One Wreathing
English Madrigals: Hark, All Ye Lovely Saints Above
English Madrigals: Since Robin Hood
English Madrigals: Though Philomela Lost Her Love
English Madrigals: O Wretched Man
English Madrigals: Weep, O Mine Eyes
English Madrigals: The Nightingale, The Organ Of Delight
English Madrigals: Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!
English Madrigals: Cruel, Behold My Heavy Ending
English Madrigals: Fair Phyllis I Saw Sitting All Alone
English Madrigals: Sing We And Chant It
English Madrigals: On A Fair Morning
English Madrigals: Oft Have I Vowed
English Madrigals: Is Love A Boy?
English Madrigals: Say, Love, If Ever Thou Didst Find
English Madrigals: All At Once Well Met
English Madrigals: Construe My Meaning
English Madrigals: Lord! When I Think
English Madrigals: Cruel, Wilt Thou Persever
English Madrigals: Fine Knacks For Ladies
English Madrigals: Strike It Up, Tabor
English Madrigals: I Love, Alas I Love Thee
English Madrigals: Farwell, Dear Love
English Madrigals: See, See The Shepherd's Queen
English Madrigals: Have I Found Her
English Madrigals: Lady Your Words Do Spite Me
English Madrigals: Were I A King
English Madrigals: Come Again
English Madrigals: Tan Ta Ra, Cries Mars
English Madrigals: Why Should I Love?
English Madrigals: This Sweet And Merry Month Of May

Customer Reviews:

Very pleased.......2007-06-10

I wasn't sure what to expect when I bought this CD. True, I could have listened on line before buying but that would have taken the fun out of the purchase. Besides, I really didn't care for the CD the first couple of times I listened but now I really love it. It's not something to listen to all the time but given the right circumstances e.g. a small gathering of friends, it's perfect. If I'd listened to online, I wouldn't have purchased it.

Sumptuous and mellow.......2002-11-28

The six men of the King's Singers present sweet and light-hearted madrigals of such English composers as Morley, Weelkes, Dowland, Wilbye and Byrd. The thirty five selections include "Now is the Month of Maying", "Though Philomela Lost Her Love", "Sing We and Chant It," the celebration of tobacco entitled "Come, Sirrah Jack, Ho!" and a host of other fa-la-la-la-la venues interspersed with wistful laments. I love the rich, sonorous sound of a male vocal ensemble, with countertenors, tenor, baritones and bass, and these six singers do a great job. Occasional instrumental accompaniments by lute and tabor are included, but this group doesn't really need it--I could listen to them for hours all by themselves. Also quite enjoyable, as well as educational, is their earlier release, "The King's Singers' Madrigal History Tour: Italy, England, France, Spain and Germany". For a more risque' take on the vocal music of Renaissance England, you might get a kick out of "The Art of the Bawdy Song" by the Baltimore Consort with the Merry Companions.

One of the Best Collections of English Madrigals.......2002-03-27

Any fan of the King's Singers will regret not having this album in their collection.

This album offers a veritable feast of the choicest English madrigals found on any comparable album. From the obligatory "Now is the Month of Maying" and "Fair Phyllis" to the more obscure "Tan ta ra, cries Mars," there is certainly enough on this album to bring a smile to lovers of Renaissance music - and a spark of recognition to anyone who sang traditional madrigals in high school or university. For serious students of early music, this album comes very highly recommended.

Among the more sonorous offerings on this album, Jones' "Farewell, Dear Love" and Dowland's "Come Again," cannot be ignored. Nor can Bennet's immortal "Weep O mine eyes" be matched more musically than here by the King's Singers.

This album has been played again and again for almost 6 years as both serious listening and background working music. And it has yet to lose its delight.

A Delightful Collection of English Madrigal.......2000-08-16

With 35 tracts to enjoy you're sure to find a couple of favorites. I gave this CD 4 of 5 stars compared to 5 stars for the King's Singers World Madrigal Tour CD. If you prefer all your songs in English, this will be your 5 star CD. Tract 32 "Come again" is my favorite due to the surperb tenor lead and melodic development. Compared to many polyphonic early music styles (1300s-1485), this era (1500-1610) provides many memorable melodies.

A wide variety.......2000-04-28

This is an excellent sampling of English madrigals. This presentation, given by an older roster of the Singers, is a nice introduction to the world of the madrigal, and English madrigals in particular.

Average customer rating:

Tremendous in every way possible.
Makes Yes' "Tales From Topographic Oceans" sound like the Ramones
Love this album
A diamond in the rough
It does what it's supposed to do!

Together We're Heavy
The Polyphonic Spree
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Beginning Stages Of...
Thumbsucker
Wait
The Fragile Army (Bonus Dvd)
The Fragile Army

ASIN: B0002IQ1QC
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Section 11 (A Long Day Continues/We Sound Amazed)
Section 12 (Hold Me Now)
Section 12 (Diamonds/Mild Devotion To Majesty)
Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)
Section 15 (Ensure Your Reservation)
Section 16 (One Man Show)
Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)
Section 18 (Everything Starts At The Seam)
Section 19 (When The Fool Becomes A King)
Section 20 (Together We're Heavy)

Customer Reviews:

Tremendous in every way possible........2007-04-10

The Polyphonic Spree are a like a gift from heaven to those (admittedly few) of us not enamoured with the likes of such dubious pop bands as Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance. Quite possibly the happiest band of all time, the Spree are a wholly unique phenomenon in this time of disingenuous, image-obsessed pop idols. Together We're Heavy is their best release to date. It is a work of incredible power and emotional depth. The music, written by the aptly surnamed Tim DeLaughter, is some of the most uplifting and optimistic stuff I've ever heard. Sure, the themes are childish. Cynics take endless delight in driving this point home over and over again, flogging the proverbial dead horse unto mucilage. But I find their innocent approach to music to be a breath of fresh air. And don't think for an instant that this innocence is a reflection of their musical abilities. The songs on Together We're Heavy are well written, very well played, and exceptionally well recorded.

The album gets off to a thunderous start with Section 11, which is surely one of the greatest album beginnings ever. Its majestic rock beat and blasting theremins are sure to draw comments like "Dude is that the music or are your speakers going to explode?" The rest of the album progresses similarly. I guess if you don't like one of the songs on this album you probably won't like any of them. It's not that there is no variety, but there is a similar sound from song to song. The Spree have a Steinman-esque affinity for excess, which often manifests itself in the form of a colossal wall of sound. This not-so-subtle approach might come off as a bit of a cheap thrill if it wasn't offset by some lovely quieter tracks. At any rate, covering a vast array of styles at once is clearly not one of the Spree's priorities. Section 12 (Hold Me Now) and Section 14 (Two Thousand Places) are definite highlights, as well as the climactic Section 19 (When The Fool Becomes A King). However, the best song is Section 17 (Suitcase Calling), as it contains just about everything you could ever want in a Polyphonic Spree song. All the songs contain strong melodies and most also have endlessly repeated chorus lines, as per Spree tradition.

Together We're Heavy is an epic album in a time when epic albums are no longer welcomed. I predict that it will someday be appreciated for what it is: A remarkably unique and heartfelt expression of people's desire to escape the stress of work and world events and be happy for no particular reason at all.

Makes Yes' "Tales From Topographic Oceans" sound like the Ramones.......2007-01-29

I was recommended this album by a respected music fan, describing it as a fantastic Smile-era music-loving collective of monks. Boy, what a huge disappointment.

Led by Tim DeLaughter, a guy whose voice grated on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard when he was in Tripping Daisy, Polyphonic Spree are nothing more than a bunch of stoned Up With People rejects in a bad production of Godspell.

Their music is tremendously dull, although they have all the right instruments: theremin, mini orchestra, flutes, happy horn sections, choir, you name it, it's here. Tim DeLaughter obviously thinks just having the 'right' instruments is enough.

There aren't songs per se, but mostly 'sections', as if this is a concept album, or a long magnum opus that must be heard from beginning to end (neither of which it is or should be). Without any memorable melodies or focus about what the heck Tim is singing about, the whole thing smacks of pretentia. Any similarity to Brian Wilson you might read about is pure superficial.

The Spree work better as a visual medium than on record, hence the DVD I got with the CD. When they weren't scaring me with their Mexican jumping beans on Speed routine, I laughed as Tim tried desperately to validate the band as a musical spiritual enlightenment, rather than the stoned gimmicky tripe it actually is. In the live portion, the band jump around constantly, trying REALLY hard to enjoy themselves. Too bad they don't try as hard to play their instruments correctly.

Also included are videos for the one decent song they had in them, "Light & Day" which unfortunately is from their last album, not this one.

Love this album.......2007-01-26

Saw the Spree playing of PBS live and couldn't get them off my mind so I took a chance and bought this album and love it. Feel good awesome pop 70's style. Try it you'll like it.

A diamond in the rough.......2006-08-04

Look, this is not a great or even very good cd but, it is well worth getting. It comes with a free DVD which is amazing.

This is not so much a musical group, rather it is a visual, utopian concept. If you do not buy the hippy optimism, then you will hate it. But if you like something different, this is the alternative of all alternative!

Be realistic, a 30 person band cannot make music compareable to a trio or quartet. It is probably hard to compose a song which lends itself to their choral sound. There is not a weak song on the cd, there is no filler but there are only 3-4 really good ones. I think the first track is the best.

The dvd is awesome. When you see the band play live, it is truly beautiful. "Light and day" is wonderful. The interview with the lead singer demonstrates that he is truly a very intelligent, creative and innovative person.

They probably cannot tour that much b/c of the costs of moving so many people. To see them live would be divine.

Musically, they are not a big deal but music lovers should appreciate their orginality. Nobody does what they do.

There is so much potential for this band. I think that they are the velvet underground of modern times.

It does what it's supposed to do!.......2006-06-11

It seems that the wrong crowd is listening to this band. Indie scenesters, psychadelia nerds and depressed adults all seem to think that this music was directed their way. Sorry, it really wasn't. The band doesn't jump enough bandwagons to be indie, they don't go on enough solo-benders to be akin to 60's psychadelia and they are way to mature to lower themselves to Bright Eyes-esque "adult" depression. What's the message? It's a simple one: don't let bad things ruin your life; just accept them and be merry.

Another attack on the band is the lack of complex or thought provoking lyrics. This was also the wrong aspect of the band to analyze. If it was all about the lyrics, than the 20-some other members would be superfluous and redundant. If you want thought-provocation, look elsewhere. There are plenty of other musicians out there who want nothing more than to warp your brain (in my opinion, Pink Floyd is NOT one of those bands). But music is subjective. Apparently the Spree don't want to make you feel stupid or depressed. They want you to be happy.

Which brings me to what makes this band truly stand out. Contemporaries are sighted as Mecury Rev and the Flaming Lips, who actually are largely different in both lyrics and execution. Fairer, more like-minded groups, would be The Arcade Fire or The New Pornographers or even, to a lesser extent, Sufjan Stevens. Truly, it's the bands pure innocence (or at least portrayal of) that makes them stand out. The loss of innocence is considered to be the true sign of adulthood, but the Polyphonic Spree make it a mission to prove otherwise. The band eminates a kind of non-christian purity that is not only infectuous, but also uplifting. Personally, I don't much care for being depressed. It is a breath of fresh air to see a band try dilligently to liven the spirits of a finicky crowd of people who want desperately to be reminded of why the world is so wrong.

I'm not saying that Bright Eyes, Death Cab or any other similar artists are wrong or unnecessary. In fact, their existence is one of the reasons that contemporary music is so wonderful and varied. But at least companion pieces like the Spree add a touch of sunshine to a very desolate musicscape. So people, please, be a bit more compassionate and a bit less arrogant.

If we had it your way, everyone would sound like Pink Floyd and Radiohead and than it would be no fun at all.

4 and a half stars (for length and tidyness)

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Music Album