Songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show (Live)

A fitting outing for a band that can often be described as cult-like, the Polyphonic Spree deliver an exuberant rendition of a cult classic soundtrack on their double live album, Songs from the Rocky Horror Picture Show: Live in London. Where their holiday record, Holidaydream, found the band putting their own spin on some classic work, Tim DeLaughter and company play it closer to the vest here. Delivering faithful renditions of "Time Warp" and "Sweet Transvestite," the band allows the songs' inner weirdness to shine without adding too many of their own psychedelic flourishes, making for more of a performance piece than a reinterpretation. Fortunately, the band get to let their freak flag fly on the second disc, where they soar their way through a set of their own songs, as well as a medley of Who cuts, before concluding with a rapturous rendition of "Light and Day." As a treat for fans, the album ends with DeLaughter addressing the crowd to thank them for coming out, and while this little speech at the end where he talks about merch and pouring his own vinyl might seem inconsequential, it helps to show that the figure behind something as grandiose as the Polyphonic Spree is a humble, appreciative, and seemingly normal guy.