The Beginning Stages of... (2002)

This 24-piece (give or take) indie-rock clan from Dallas, likes to be referred to as a "choral symphonic pop band." Fine by me. They toot on piccolos, trumpets, and French horns, dress in charming white robes, and sing about the sun, smiles, and holidays like the Langley Schools Music Project kids grown into a spacey undergrad glee club. But where's the cover of "I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke"? ALL TOGETHER NOW The Spree's up-with-people psychedelia is best live, where their pogo-ing, audience-sing-along version of "Hey Jude" feels like a Beatles high mass.