“Pedestal” (Phantogram song) – Queen City Sounds and Art

Phantogram_Pedestal1_crop — Phantogram, photo courtesy the artists

Phantogram’s single “Pedestal” from its new album Ceremony finds the band reigning in the brashness of what made some of its earlier material so noteworthy. It begins with a tone of reflection that unfurls into the dramatic, sweeping, evocative soundscapes that is one of its signature songwriting dynamics. The duo has also been skillful in writing a pop song that has much more nuance and dimensionality in its lyrics than might be assumed with how elevated in tone the songs often are. With “Pedestal,” Phantogram writes what might be called a post-love song. Most love songs hit us over the head with declarations of eternal and perfect love or in those more worth listening to the struggles of being in love with someone. This song addresses what the consequence of that kind of love might have for someone once the luster has dulled. “Cause I was in love with you/Is that what you’re supposed to do/When I put you on this pedestal/Is that what you’re supposed to do,” Sarah Barthel sings in the choruses, making questioning all aspects of the union in simple but direct lines. Though there is a resigned aspect to the mood of the song and of the lyrics there is a recognition of there having been something, some passion, but that in the end without a deep understanding and existing in a similar realm emotionally that one’s idealistic view of another person is not enough to sustain the relationship. When she sings “I could walk away or stay either way I’m giving up a fight,” it seems as though Barthels, or the perspective of the song, is saying that she’s not putting any more energy into what seemed so real and powerful but was an illusion she’s ready to give up. At the start of the song there is a hint of hope if the object of the song is willing to open up and trust but try as you might you can’t change someone. And yet, “Pedestal” doesn’t sound like a downer, it sounds like a song wherein in someone finds their own light to move forward and sometimes that light comes in the form of learning to accept what is and give up struggling against it. Listen to “Pedestal” on YouTube and follow Phantogram at the links provided.