There’s two good reasons, right from the start, why the video for Passion Pit’s second single “To Kingdom Come” is greater than “The Reeling.” First off, it’s much more band-centric; less focused on lead Michael Angelakos and highlighting that it’s a group rather than just a one-man show. (It could have something to do with the fact that I discovered Ian Hultquist’s blog via Twitter and now I have a little crush on him. He posts amazing videos!) Second, rather than seeing the band in front of an audience, we get a little peek of private performance. Passion Pit shines with a genuineness that I find rare in the music industry and I like that this video carries a vibe of chilling out in the studio or practicing or simply jamming with one another. For me, the personal factor remains the group’s draw and appeal.
Who can really say how this video should be interpreted? It might be a commentary on global warming, or maybe the guys wanted to play mad scientists and wear fake facial hair. Or perhaps it draws on the concept of the inevitable; that we all need to dance even if the world is being blown to kingdom come and accept our fate. Personally, I think it’s a mixture of all three. There are wonderful literal connotations to the lyrics throughout; “pools of godly medicine” swimming in beakers and shadow boxes while cells splice and “sparks falling quietly” at the end.
Again I’m surprised by the track choice. I keep waiting for “Little Secrets” or “Moth’s Wings” to be released as a single with an accompanying video to follow, but as those songs are so strong this might be a way to draw attention to the rest of the album. None the less, “To Kingdom Come” is quite the delight.
(Also around the :24 mark, check out the concoctions floating in those beakers and tell me it doesn’t look the cover art from The Chunk of Change EP. I’ve convinced myself this is true.)
