The Polyphonic Spree

When Tim DeLaughter was playing in 1990s alt-rock band Tripping Daisy, few could have predicted that a decade later he would mastermind the Polyphonic Spree. A huge collective wearing white robes and utilised massed choral vocals, the Polyphonic Spree is a high-concept endeavour that mixes lush Beatles/Beach Boys arrangements with positive lyrical messages so earnest it's difficult to tell whether or not there's irony involved. Regardless, their infectious sunny, melodic sound made them an unexpected sensation with the indie-rock cognoscenti and the mainstream alike.

• rock