Anyone who ever needs to argue strength in numbers need only point to The Polyphonic Spree for an aurally beguiling case in point. Since founding the 24-piece orchestral pop monstrosity, former Tripping Daisy vocalist Tim DeLaughter has scored a U.K. Top 10 hit ("Soldier Girl") and signed to Disney-owned Hollywood Records, who have since reissued their intriguing debut. The songs, or "Sections," are punctuated with cheery choruses, high-school band brass and DeLaughter's straining vocals, while the lyrics focus exclusively on quasi-pagan sun-worship ("It's the Sun," "Light & Day/Reach for the Sun"). And "A Long Day" focuses on a 30-minute electronic drone reminiscent of E.A.R.

Yes, it's a little creepy, but DeLaughter's canny pop melodies and choruses show he definitely knows how to effectively recruit fans for his growing musical cult. So let's just hope these white-robed Texans don't decide to turn their impressive creative skills to manufacturing nerve gas.