Marriott - I Hope This Takes Me Somewhere

​Marriott

​I Hope This Takes Me Somewhere
self-released; 2017

3.7 out of 5

By Dan Weston
​

Marriott is a St. Louis band comprised of Eddie Berkheimer (drums/harmonies), Caleb Tochtrop (guitar/vocals) and Colton Ward (guitar/vocals) who released a three-song EP entitled I Hope This Takes Me Somewhere. The band describes their sound just about perfectly “emo college rock.” It’s music made by young people for young people. I promise you that.

The band had their music mixed and mastered by Jacob Ewald from the band Modern Baseball. This peaked my interested as I don’t think Ewald is an actual producer or engineer. Maybe he is but I didn't see evidence of that online. I took a listen to Modern Baseball and then took a listen to Marriott. Suffice it to say if you enjoy Modern Baseball this is more or less an extension of that type of music. To be perfectly honest they sounded almost exactly the same to me after comparing the styles, tones and delivery. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand in my opinion they sound just as good as Modern Baseball. On the other hand they sound like Modern Baseball which already has a huge following. 

​The band opens with “Drop Dead…” and I was impressed by their technical ability. They don’t have any trouble playing in the pocket and changing up tempo. My point that this is music made by young people for young people is further cemented through the lyrics. Don't ask me why but when I was college myself and many others used to drink Mountain Dew along with other candy which is what Mountain Dew really is. Kind of weird but that drink dropped off the grid for me when I got into my thirties. No one has it in their fridge unless they have a teenager.

He sings, “I got these late nights, when I lock myself in my room staring at a laptop, strung out on coffee and Mountain Dew, but I'm no Sherlock to know I'm not over you, and I know you want me to drop dead.” What did you do? Why does she want you to drop dead? I’m sure it wasn't that horrible -at least I hope not man. 

The lyrics get really ambitious and poetic on the next song. He sings, “Metaphorical phrases leave empty spaces in my head, running in circles my hands stained red.” You get an A for originality but I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.

“Again Wallace?” is a clever take on the absolutely normal trials and tribulations of young love that almost everyone goes through. “You mean everything to me, we aren’t talking, my world is shattered forever” is the sentiment. Thank god your hormones and emotions balance out with age.

Marriott seem like a bunch of relatable, normal young men singing about the things they go through. That's what music is all about. They sound great and can build on this momentum. Recommended.

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