Maybe it’s always been this way, but it seems the latest trends in indie bands are to either go really big or pare everything down. Examples: The two-person, girl-boy pop duo has exploded, not to mention the two person blues combo. Power trios seem on the rise — run-of-the-mill rhythm guitarists need not apply. On the other side of the spectrum, The Arcade Fire gains a member every time they tour, collectives like Broken Social Scene serve as loose conglomerations of lots of talented musicians, and even Wilco has bloated to six full-time members.

Of course, even if Architecture in Helsinki added an entire elementary school orchestra to their touring lineup, you get the sense Tim DeLaughter would find a way to ensure his group, The Polyphonic Spree, keeps its status as the biggest, most exuberant band in the land. And after DeLaughter and the Spree played to an enthusiastic crowd Saturday night at the 9:30 Club, it’s hard to see a pretender to the crown.

The band’s just released their third album, The Fragile Army, and — as I’m sure you’ve heard — ditched the white robes for black jumpsuits, complete with a small red cross on the side. The song topics got a little darker too, jumping from smiling at the sunrise each morning to George W. bashing, but it’s still big picture stuff, and DeLaughter’s still shouting it quite loudly and proudly.