Doxologist ContentTuneage Tuesday: The Polyphonic Spree Live at The Showbox
The Polyphonic Spree, Showbox, Seattle, October 18, 2007.
The Polyphonic Spree are here for your soul. Not in that way. No, they have an agenda that front man Tim DeLaughter articulates clearly after the encore (which was three songs, beginning with Nirvana’s Lithium.wow) “We hope this has been worth every penny spent for your big.fat..soul.” The crowd goes wild. Apparently, it has.
I’m struck at the honesty of this band who is generally known for their happy, positive vibe. DeLaughter is the principal songwriter and his songs are positive because he acknowledges and embraces that we live in a fallen world. The existence of pain and suffering serve his ultimate message, “everything’s alright.together we’re alright.” We’re alright because we are, not because of anything outside ourselves, in ourselves, or what we do. A refreshing message so close to truth. Refreshing because answers inside and outside the church can be vague and too often come down to salvation through works or morality. DeLaughter’s philosophy gets to the heart where it’s possible that works and morality are the result of identity and not the other way around. In this regard, he may get it more than some Christians. Here’s a case where the culture paints a picture that we Christians should learn from. We should definitely embrace salvation through identity.
However close to the truth, it’s incomplete, because ultimately we’re not alright. We’re all in the same boat because we’re all sons & daughters of Adam. Essentially, we are rebels against our true Father and without Jesus are appointed to His wrath. The gospel is bad news before it’s good news. It becomes good news when Christ opens our eyes to truly see His work on the cross, His blood shed, His resurrection to reconcile us to the Father. We die to ourselves and take on His identity. We’re not alright because we are. We’re alright because He is. I can’t help but wonder what Tim DeLaughter would say to that.
But the Polyphonic Spree are wholly sincere, engaging and seemingly represent their beliefs well, character that should challenge any of us who follow Jesus. And the crowd perceives it. Right in front of me, the entire show, there’s a frat-boy jock with his two girlfriends. They’re shaking booty, he’s dancing/marching, leading a solo processional all over the floor, just like DeLaughter. At what other rock show would you see this? The giant 400lb man to my right has his arms raised, jumping up and down, just like DeLaughter. That doesn’t happen at rock shows, but is usually relegated to charismatic churches (and questions certainly arise at the possibility of the Polyphonic Spree as satire). Clearly, the Polyphonic Spree commands the affection of their fans. Was it worth every penny spent for our big, fat souls? No. But it was worth every penny spent for a dang fine rock show.
Thanks for that thought out reflection. It is appreciated.
Thanks Craig. Was there anything in particular, or just appreciation in general?
I was speaking in more general terms but specifically I liked your approach at breaking down his philosophy pointing out where he is close and where he inevitably falls short. A lot of people don’t give fair assesments of those they don’t agree with and I enjoy your review giving us a chance to engage and learn from those on “the other side” so to speak.
Right on Craig. What you point out is a huge part of our missiology. That in order to take the gospel to our culture, we have to come to them on their terms, understanding as best we can their world view so we have something to talk with them about.
If you’re like me, you were taught not to do this. Instead, the world is evil and you should have no part of it. Which is clean and nice, except for the fact that it looks in no way similar to what Jesus did eating with sinners and gluttons and whatnot.
Hey man,
If you like the spree you should check out I’m from barcelona” (http://www.myspace.com/imfrombarcelona)
They do a successful mix of the polyphonics, upbeat flaming lips and the cardigans.
Saw them here in the UK and there live show was fantastic, including the Kazoo orchestra!
Tim
Joe,
You made this statement in your post: “A refreshing message so close to truth.” about this: “We’re alright because we are, not because of anything outside ourselves, in ourselves, or what we do.”
But I guess I see it differently. Is it really so close to the truth? If you take out the Jesus component (as DeLaughter seems to be) isn’t it the opposite of the truth? It seems that you’re giving credit to his words as near truth and not his meaning, as though stretching to give truth to a worldview that doesn’t earn it.
I understand the points you’re making and appreciate them, I just don’t understanding giving credit to someone who says, “everythings alright” meanwhile “embracing that we live in a fallen world”. Without Jesus in the picture I don’t think those two statements are close to truth at all, they’re just further cutting Him out.
Anyway, not intended as provocative, just thoughts.