Ghosts flit in and out of many a song. Perhaps the transitory, in-between nature of the specter contrasts nicely with Christianity’s demarcated afterlife. Or perhaps the writer relates (as do I) to that invisible, insubstantial sensation of being present and not present in the room at the same time, felt but not seen, acknowledged but not regarded.
Melanie Paulos seems to refer to both when she invokes—or rather, rejects—the spirit form here. The line “I don’t want to be your purgatory” elevates basic desire to an existential imperative; that romantic limbo leaves her corporeal state unstable, possibly even doomed, without a partner. In the video, created by Paulos and Casey Doran, the dim, crimson-lit halls of the Bakery (all of Paulos’ design) serve as an ersatz spirit world, where she shifts listlessly between forms as she pines for a way out. Of course, there’s no real exposition or ending; both time and space are out of joint, as is often the case when loneliness creeps into your private quarters and trickles into depression. “Heaven,” then, might be the fixed, brighter shots where Paulos jams with her band—not necessarily a bliss, but at least no longer alone.
Paulos and the gang pulled “Ghost” from their debut self-titled EP back in December, so this excursion into the afterlife isn’t new. However, fans who watch the full-band shots might note that Chick Wallace has grown since their first record: Max Boydston has vacated the throne to command guitar, and Ryan York has stepped in to take over the drums. Alex Glick remains, as before, on bass duty. New members often mean imminent tour dates—here’s hoping the band slip out of their own hometown purgatory soon.
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