The Polyphonic Spree are arguably the best band in the world right now, creating music that’s so energetic and full of life, you can’t help but get caught up in their totally unironic enthusiasm. They are a 25 musician ensemble, with a variety of instrumentalists and a ten person chorus.

I first saw the band live in August 2004, when they were touring in support of their last album Together We’re Heavy. After a long wait for them to come on, they filed on stage , and a lone flute played the opening solo of “We Sound Amazed.” Then, the whole band came in, and it was like nothing I’d ever heard before, a rush of sound that you could literally feel. Hearing 25 musicians playing in such a small space was almost overwhelming, and the energy they put out was unparalleled, like everyone of them wanted to do nothing else but play for us that night.

It was an incredible show, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting their new album, The Fragile Army, which was originally supposed to be out on July 4… 2006. So, it’s been a long wait, and coming off one of my favorite albums of the decade to date, Together We’re Heavy, it had a lot to live up to. But, after getting to know this album, it’s clear that this is a wonderful addition to their catalogue, full of powerful, compact songs that burst with energy and power.

The major difference between this and Together We’re Heavy is the length of the songs. Heavy had three songs that topped eight minutes, and a lot of the shorter songs bled together, giving the illusion of one really long album. Army returns to the more compact pop songs of their debut album The Beginning Stages Of..., while simultaneously moving things in a more rock direction. These songs sound like rock songs, embellished with horns and choir, whereas a lot of their previous songs were uniquely dependent on their ample instrumentation. The other band members are less present than on previous albums, that’s the consequence of doing shorter songs. There’s still great moments from the choir and horn section, but I have to admit I’d like to hear a bit more of them.

“Running Away” is the album’s opening single, and it’s everything the Spree do right in one song. It’s brimming with energy and excitement, with an anthemic sing along chorus. The song’s opening is a particular highlight, as energy builds during the short instrumental opening track to an immediate climax on the first verse. Due to their vast instrumentation, the Spree can hit a huge point immediately, and still have enough to build more throughout the song.

“Get Up and Go” is exemplary of the more rock direction they’ve taken this album. It’s structured around a guitar and drum riff, creating a kind of pounding rock march. This song reminds me a bit of Electric Light Orchestra, a band the Spree owe a debt of inspiration to.