Pitchfork

Twenty-six singing and dancing robers come up to you, chanting the words "REACH FOR THE SUN!" Of course, you cough up that wallet...to grab some dollars for a Polyphonic Spree ticket, that is!!

The exuberant pop troupe/cult have announced their first U.S. tour in over a year. The majority of the trek will see the Spree showing up frat-favorite headliner Matisyahu, though for a few days, they'll top the bill, supported by Good Records (chief Spreeman Tim DeLaughter's label) acts Philip E Karnats and Pilotdrift.

The Spree spent early 2006 recording their third album, The Fragile Army, in studios across the country, including Steve Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago. Co-produced by the pAper chAse's John Congleton and the Speekers (DeLaughter and fellow Spreester Julie Doyle), the disc is slated to arrive in early 2007 after numerous delays.

Can't stand the...wait? The Spree's got yr back: they'll release the iTunes digital exclusive Wait EP this Tuesday, September 5. Featuring two Army tracks and covers of tunes by Nirvana ("Lithium"), the Psychedelic Furs ("Love My Way"), and DeLaughter's former band, Tripping Daisy ("Sonic Bloom"), the collection should sate fans' appetites until whenever that album finally comes out.

01 Mental Cabaret
02 Love My Way
03 Sonic Bloom
04 Lithium
05 I'm Calling

Dates:

09-03 Denver, CO - City Lights Pavilion *
09-04 Snowmass Village, CO - Jazz Aspen Snowmass *
09-06 Remond, WA - Marymoor Amphitheatre *
09-07 Troutdale, OR - Edgefield Winery *
09-09 San Jose, CA - Civic Auditorium *
09-10 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theater #
09-13 Dallas, TX - Granada Theater #^
09-14 Austin, TX - Emo's #^

* with Matisyahu
# with Philip E Karnats
^ with Pilotdrift