Four years have passed since Marianas Trench released Ever After, but they’re back at it with Astoria. The album is a throwback to the eighties, an homage to the Goonies. As a long time fan of Marianas Trench it’s awesome to hear the influence from their past records on this album. They incorporate riffs from Fix Me (2006) and Masterpiece Theatre (2010) in a few of the songs. Frontman Josh Ramsay also found a way to sneak in one lyric from every earlier song he wrote into this record. The well rounded album includes pop hits, soft ballads, a ukulele appearance (a first for Marianas Trench), and countless references to famous 80s bands. The newer audience of Marianas Trench tends to be younger so it’s doubtful that they’ll pick up on the obvious nods to Queen, Jackson 5, and even Prince. The line is blurred between whether these artists were sampled or reimagined by Ramsay.
Astoria is packed with emotion through tales of love and loss. Ramsay’s harsh vocals are offset by his soaring falsetto, possibly the highest he’s ever reached. The harmonies Marianas Trench fans know and love are strewn throughout the hour of music and never fail to create goosebumps. The album starts off strong with an opener fit for the stage. It sets the theatric tone for the rest of the album which varies in style as it goes on. “Burning Up” is a track made for Top 40. “Yesterday”, “Wildfire”, and “Forget Me Not” are all reminiscent of old grittier Marianas Trench with Ramsay’s heartfelt lyrics shining through. The film score interludes form seamless connections within the record, tying everything together. “While We’re Young” has the potential to be the next popular slow dance prom song. “One Love” and “Who Do You Love” have the same integrity and sound which I hope was intentional because they work so well together. By far, my favorite song is “Dearly Departed”. The melancholy yearning in Ramsay’s voice tugs at my heart strings.
Marianas Trench is a severely underrated band. Matt Webb (lead Guitar), Mike Ayley (bass), and Ian Casselman (drums) are all insanely talented and each contribute vocals to the incredible harmonies found in their music. Did I mention they recorded most of this album in Ramsay’s apartment with vintage equipment? Well they did. Marianas Trench have transcended the genre of pop by crafting extremely well thought out songs. It’s refreshing, and definitely not mindless like most of what is on the radio these days.
Buy Astoria Here // Stream Astoria Here
Marianas Trench with Secret Someones // Hey You Guys!! Tour – Dates Below
Nov-03 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom
Nov-04 Seattle, WA Showbox at the Market
Nov-06 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory
Nov-07 Boise, ID Knitting Factory
Nov-08 Reno, NV Knitting Factory
Nov-10 San Francisco, CA Social Hall SF
Nov-11 Anaheim, CA House of Blues
Nov-13 Salt Lake City, UT The Complex
Nov-14 Denver, CO Summit Music Hall
Nov-16 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
Nov-17 Green Bay, WI Meyer Theatre
Nov-18 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Nov-20 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
Nov-21 Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall
Nov-22 Bethlehem, PA Musikfest Cafe
Nov-24 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
Nov-25 Montclair, NJ Wellmont Theatre
Nov-27 Clifton Park, NY Upstate Concert Hall
Nov-28 Niagara Falls, NY The Rapids Theatre
Jan-13 Sacramento, CA Ace of Spades
Jan-15 Los Angeles, CA The Troubadour
Jan-16 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
Jan-17 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theater
Jan-19 Dallas, TX House of Blues
Jan-20 Houston, TX House of Blues
Jan-22 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
Jan-23 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues
Jan-24 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Jan-26 Charleston, SC Music Farm
Jan-27 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
Jan-29 Huntington, NY The Paramount
Jan-30 Portland, ME Asylum
Jan-31 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Feb-2 Boston, MA House of Blues
Feb-4 Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
Feb-5 Philadelphia, PA Theater of Living Arts
Feb-6 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Small’s Theatre
Feb-8 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Feb-9 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s
Feb-10 Chicago, IL House of Blues
Feb-12 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
Feb-13 Indianapolis, IN Deluxe @ Old National Centre
Feb-14 Grand Rapid, MI Orbit Room
