Timing curious, but it's a great snap shot of the Spree (3 y
Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 12/12/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In June of this year, the 20+ member Polyphonic Spree released a great third album, "The Fragile Army", and 3-4 months later, out of the blue comes this release, a live album that was recorded at the band's Live From Austin appearance in 2004.
"Live from Austin" (9 tracks, 51 min.) brings the Polyphonic Spree appearance at the venerable TV show on August 3, 2004, when the band was touring behing their then just released second album "Together We're Heavy". That means that this set is naturally heavily focused on that album, 6 of this album's tracks are from "Together We're Heavy", with the remaining 2 tracks from the first album "The Beginning Stages Of..." (there is a short instrumental to start off the album, as the band takes the stage). The band is in great form. My favorite tracks are "Hanging Around the Day Part 1 & 2", "It's the Sun" and the closer "When a Fool Becomes a King".
That was then. As mentioned, the Polyphonic Spree released a great new album earlier this year, and the sound on the new album is heavier than what you will hear here (this live album is also available as a DVD). I had the chance to see the Spree in concert last month on their "Fragile Army" tour, and they were excellent. The visual element of the band is essential and to experience it cannot be enjoyed from a live CD (incidentally, they've done away with the robes the band wore when this album/DVD was recorded). In all, this is a great snap shot of where the Spree were in 2004, and highly enjoyable."