The Polyphonic Spree is preparing for a busy summer with the June 19 release of its new album, "The Fragile Army," and subsequent tour, which is kicking off four days later in the band's hometown of Dallas.
The 23-stop tour brings the 20-plus musical collective to Milwaukee to play The Rave II on July 9.
The Polyphonic Spree have adopted a new look and sound for "The Fragile Army," with more driven, urgent songwriting and black military-style uniforms replacing their trademark robes. Reviewing a live set from this year's SXSW music festival, Pitchfork described the new Spree: "Less sedentary sun-worship and more a momentum-fueled call to arms. Less grace and shimmer, a little more chaos and danger. And oh yes -- still positively exhilarating to behold."
Still haven't heard the Spree's cover of Nirvana's "Lithium"? Check out the band's Myspace page.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
