...the Polyphonic Spree, which I just saw live, for free, at Central Park's SummerStage. The band was great. A 23 piece, the Spree calls itself a "choral, symphonic pop band." That's apt. Horns, keyboards, a harp, steel drums (in addition to traditional drums), guitar, chorus.
If you've seen the recent cross-promotional ad between Volkswagen and Apple (buy a Beetle, get a free iPod), you've heard the Spree. But oh, you haven't seen them.
The band, dressed in white robes, played with remarkable energy and charm. The singer (Tim DeLaughter--perfect name--formerly of Tripping Daisy) seemed manic at times, whirling and spinning and leaping and laughing. The lyrics are all about love and sunshine and light and happiness, and yet the band's energy is so infectuous and so gleeful, the lyrics never sound cheesy or fake.
Encores included a number with special guest John Cameron Mitchell from the cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a great cover of Bowie's Five Years, and two harp solos.
I picked up a copy of their first album, The Beginning Stages of..., and it's almost as much fun as the show.
The website PopMatters has a great review of a Portland show. It's really worth checking out because it says all the things I can't really put into words. Also, there's sound clips available on the website, so go look there as well.