my polyphonic spree review

m_to_the_c

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my polyphonic spree review June 12, 2003 at 12:47 PM UTC #

This show seemed like it was for people who couldn't get into the Flaming Lips show back in April. Even the backdrop hinted at the new age positivity we have come to know as Coyne-ism.

The music was okay, I mean, it was all done live, which was cool. But after a while, it grew old. The melodies weren't catchy enough to really get into, and sometimes the theremin took what little space was left in your brain to comprehend what was going on.

Not to mention they kind of danced like Peanuts characters, and sung about "the sun" quite often (read: ad nauseum)

The night ended with a harp solo, or at least it did for me, as I made it into the encore at least, and that was enough for me to go home and sleep on. It did make me miss Tripping Daisy thoughâ?¦

Mashaf

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 12, 2003 at 07:49 PM UTC #

You sound super jaded. I thought that their energy was intoxicating. And the show wasn't filled with all that superfluous junk/entertainment like the Flaming Lips show. Just straight-up, organic, natural, high-energy joyful music.

TheREALHunter

Joined: May 09, 2002 at 05:01 AM UTC

Posts: 1382

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 12, 2003 at 08:34 PM UTC #

One thing I observed (as did many others if the posts here are any indication) was that the enthusiasm level of the audience wasnt a tenth of the enthusiasm level shown onstage so perhaps the contrast made it appear a bit forced but I think its more from the fact that DC crowdgoers are generally uptight. But better to be an uptight and stiff audience than to be a rowdy and rude one in this case I guess…
Hunter

mjnova

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 12:56 PM UTC #

Originally posted by TheREALHunter:
One thing I observed (as did many others if the posts here are any indication) was that the enthusiasm level of the audience wasnt a tenth of the enthusiasm level shown onstage so perhaps the contrast made it appear a bit forced but I think its more from the fact that DC crowdgoers are generally uptight. But better to be an uptight and stiff audience than to be a rowdy and rude one in this case I guess…
Hunter

(you shoulda gone to the ash show, folks got quite rowdy and rude for the last few songs)

The game played by the folks I was with was "Spot the Washington Post readers". It was great that folks got turned on by a very very glowing article, but it certainly would have helped if they gave a shit. Everyone on stage was giving all their energy for the whole show, and there was a bunch of balcony sitters, which i always think is really disrespectful to do during a headliner.

I acutally thought that the Spree were a lot better the lips because:
a) they didn't need constant gimmicks (discounting the fact that there are a lot of them, and I think the robes are very stylish)
b) all the music was comming from them, whereas most of the lips stuff was prerecorded

Not to say that the lips were bad, but this was a lot more heartfelt.

chknfngrs

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 05:31 PM UTC #

"and there was a bunch of balcony sitters, which i always think is really disrespectful to do during a headliner"

disrespectful? shoot…it was a luxury!

bags

Joined: October 30, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 8545

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 06:57 PM UTC #

Originally posted by chknfngrs:
"and there was a bunch of balcony sitters, which i always think is really disrespectful to do during a headliner"

disrespectful? shoot…it was a luxury!

I can't imagine sitting through just about any show, but is it really any worse than those guys standing right up front near the stage with their arms folded across their chest and absolutely no expression on their face whatsoever? *That* drives me nuts, and it is not endemic to D.C….

mankie

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 07:04 PM UTC #

Originally posted by bags:

guys standing right up front near the stage with their arms folded across their chest and absolutely no expression on their face whatsoever? *That* drives me nuts, and it is not endemic to D.C….

Oh don't worry about him….that's jst "thatguy" ;)

ggw

Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 14237

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 07:43 PM UTC #

Originally posted by bags:

Originally posted by chknfngrs:
"and there was a bunch of balcony sitters, which i always think is really disrespectful to do during a headliner"

disrespectful? shoot…it was a luxury!
I can't imagine sitting through just about any show, but is it really any worse than those guys standing right up front near the stage with their arms folded across their chest and absolutely no expression on their face whatsoever? *That* drives me nuts, and it is not endemic to D.C….

The crowd was fairly subdued, but from my perspective in the balcony (don't worry, I wasn't sitting) the number of people on the floor moving their bodies increased substantially as the show went on.

Also, somebody needs to speak to their merchandising director. Instead of t-shirts, they should be selling white robes.

Relaxer

Joined: October 15, 2001 at 05:01 AM UTC

Posts: 5410

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 07:50 PM UTC #

I get so annoyed at the people who sit in the balcony and then get all whiney when someone (meaning, me) comes along and stands against the rail.

kosmo

Joined: September 23, 1999 at 05:01 AM UTC

Posts: 16329

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 07:54 PM UTC #

they were selling robes for $35 a pop

i think it's great when given the chance to sit down and not disrepectful. ye olde knees like the break once in awhile. although i was up a bit up front for this one.

i'm guilty of the arms cross stance… it's not outta boredom more out of its comfortable. especially when standing for awhile.

ggw

Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 14237

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 08:06 PM UTC #

Originally posted by kosmo:
they were selling robes for $35 a pop

Excellent! I hadn't noticed that.

thatguy

Joined: October 20, 1999 at 05:01 AM UTC

Posts: 1268

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 08:09 PM UTC #

Originally posted by mankie:
Oh don't worry about him….that's jst "thatguy" ;)

when your arms and chest are as big as mine, there are only so many comfortable positions to stand in. that, and i have to look mean and scary at work. gotta have the "game face" on. actually, if you ever come to a show where i like the music, you'll see a much more relaxed version of me.

kurosawa-b/w

Joined: January 28, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 2399

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 09:12 PM UTC #

Does anyone have a link to that Post article? I'm curious to read it.

I saw those guys up front against the stage. They looked downright surly. Lol. I couldn't figure them out. I do have to say that I was dancing and the people around me were into it…even more so during the encore.

ggw

Joined: December 16, 2001 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 14237

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 09:23 PM UTC #

Originally posted by kurosawa-b/w:
Does anyone have a link to that Post article? I'm curious to read it.

I saw those guys up front against the stage. They looked downright surly. Lol. I couldn't figure them out. I do have to say that I was dancing and the people around me were into it…even more so during the encore.

Here's the review of Tuesday's show.

And here's the feature article on the band.

mankie

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 09:30 PM UTC #

Okay, I just read the feature article…are theye a religous cult or something? Will I be seeing them hanging around at the airport giving out pamphlets while telling me God loves me?

kurosawa-b/w

Joined: January 28, 2002 at 06:01 AM UTC

Posts: 2399

Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 09:35 PM UTC #

Originally posted by ggw:
Here's the review of Tuesday's show.

And here's the feature article on the band.

Thanks! I knew you would find it. And what a great article.

Ikarus

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Re: my polyphonic spree review June 13, 2003 at 10:07 PM UTC #

i want whatever drugs polyphonic got. maybe they mainline prozac or something.

the only shame was that they didn't pack the place in. its their first time on the east coast, so hopefully the next one will have better attendance.