FRAGILE ARMY

The Polyphonic Spree

The Fragile Army is an exuberant and passionate explosion that finds the Dallas-based symphonic rock group joyfully raging against the dying of the light with newfound zeal. "We were going in a high-energy direction, because that's the way we are in our live show," declares co-leader/songwriter Tim DeLaughter. "I think that this album is the one that best captures the Spree live experience." The band's other leader/songwriter, Julie Doyle, is equally excited about their third LP, "We really hit the nail on the head this time; this is the Spree at its finest."

The band usually consists of a 10-person choir, a pair of keyboardists, as well as a percussionist, drummer, bassist, guitarist, flautist, trumpeter, trombonist, violinist, violist, harpist, French horn player, a pedal steel player, theremin player, and an electronic effects person. Individual members and the numbers of musicians vary because of the flexibility necessary in travelling with such a large band.