Masterpiece Theatre (Marianas Trench album)

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Masterpiece Theatre
Masterpiece Theatre Mtrench.jpg
Studio album by
Marianas Trench
ReleasedFebruary 24, 2009 (2009-02-24)
Recorded2008–2009
Studio
Genre
Length45:41
Label 604
Producer
Marianas Trench chronology
Fix Me
(2006)		Masterpiece Theatre
(2009)		 Ever After
(2011)
Singles from Masterpiece Theatre
  1. "Cross My Heart"
    Released: November 24, 2008
  2. "All to Myself"
    Released: February 24, 2009
  3. "Beside You"
    Released: August 17, 2009
  4. "Celebrity Status"
    Released: February 12, 2010
  5. "Good to You"
    Released: September 21, 2010

Masterpiece Theatre is the second studio album by Canadian rock group Marianas Trench. It was released on February 24, 2009, in Canada and September 28, 2010, in the United States. The album was available for preview at MuchMusic's website before the release. [4] The last song on the album, titled "Masterpiece Theatre III", is a medley of all the songs on the album including its five singles.

Contents

The album is a slight departure from the band’s debut album Fix Me , containing more theatrical elements and instruments while still retaining the punk rock influence of its predecessor. The songs "Masterpiece Theatre" (I, II, and III), "Beside You", and "Good to You" show some experimentation using pianos, strings, and harmonies.

Background and recording

Masterpiece Theatre is a concept album that experiments with different genres ranging from pop punk, [1] [2] symphonic rock, [2] and emo pop. [3]

The album was recorded at Armoury Studios, Mushroom Studios, Hipposonic Studios, The Umbrella Factory and The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia and at Kingnoise in Los Angeles, California. [5] The album featured production work by Dave Genn, Greig Nori, Dave Ogilvie, Raine Maida and Josh Ramsay. [6]

Promotion

In 2009, the band went on the Beside You tour with Carly Rae Jepsen in support of the album. [7] The group also toured the US in 2010. [8] [9]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Alternative Addiction Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Lost in the SoundStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Melodic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [12]
SputnikmusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Masterpiece Theatre was received well by most critics. The Phoenix New Times praised lead singer Josh Ramsay and the lyrics saying "Singer Josh Ramsay pushed himself vocally on this album, and the lyrics were very heartfelt and meaningful – not your typical pop-punk music." [13]

Matthew Chisling of AllMusic stated, "The group has truly created an excellent concept album, experimenting with a nice variety of musical mediums that complements the bands sound quite well." He called the "Masterpiece Theatre" parts, "welcome songs that sound like the Broadway rendition of the perfectly crafted emo-pop tune." He described tracks such as "Acadia" and "Celebrity Status" as mainstream complements that stop the album from feeling too erratic and stated that Masterpiece Theatre "could do without 'Good to You'." He ended off stating, "this album truly stands out from the pack by bringing something truly different and exciting to the table that's bound to earn them plenty of fans and plenty of success." [3]

Alternative Addiction praised the melodies and the harmonies, as well as Ramsay's vocals calling them incredible and addictive. He also added, "Masterpiece Theatre takes an album theme, some great songs, and the talents of Ramsay and utilizes every one of those to make a masterpiece for fans of the genre." [10]

Nick Anastasia of Melodic.net said, "this album is one of the best, if not the best, discs I've heard in the past year or two." They also said "The harmonies, arrangements, and different styles experimented with throughout the spread of the CD are absolutely awe-inspiring." [12]

Kevin Miao of Lost In the Sound gave the album a score of 80% out 100, saying that the album "is one of the best in its genre and proves that there is still good pop rock music out there." [11]

Commercial performance

The album sold 5,000 copies in its first week of release debuting at No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. [4] [14] The album has since sold over 160,000 copies in Canada and was certified Double Platinum by Music Canada. [15] Singles such as "All To Myself" and "Cross My Heart" peaked in the top 15 of the Canadian Hot 100. Other singles such as "Celebrity Status", "Good to You" and "Beside You" peaked in the top 40 of the Canadian Hot 100. [16]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Masterpiece Theatre
YearOrganizationAwardResultRef(s)
2009 Western Canadian Music Awards Pop Recording of the YearWon [17]

Accolades

YearPublicationCountryListRank
2010 Alternative Addiction United States"The 20 Best Albums of 2010" [18]
2

Track listing

All tracks are written by Josh Ramsay, except where noted

No.TitleLength
1."Masterpiece Theatre I"5:00
2."All to Myself"3:11
3."Cross My Heart"3:11
4."Beside You"3:36
5."Acadia"3:18
6."Masterpiece Theatre II"3:32
7."Sing Sing"3:15
8."Good to You" (Ramsay, Shawn Smith) (featuring Kate Voegele)3:04
9."Celebrity Status"3:06
10."Perfect"3:03
11."Lover Dearest"4:03
12."Masterpiece Theatre III"6:40
American release bonus tracks [19]
No.TitleLength
13."Cross My Heart" (Acoustic)3:28
14."Good to You" (featuring Jessica Lee)3:04
15."Fix Me"3:56
Director's Cut Edition bonus tracks [20]
No.TitleLength
13."Good to You" (feat. Jessica Lee)3:04
14."Cross My Heart" (Acoustic)3:27
15."Celebrity Status" (Acoustic)3:57
16."And So It Goes"2:23

Personnel

Credits for Masterpiece Theatre adapted from AllMusic. [5]

Musicians

Production

Charts

Chart performance for Masterpiece Theatre
Chart (2009)Peak
position
Canadian Albums (Billboard) [14] 4

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [15] 2× Platinum160,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

CountryDateVersionFormatLabel
Canada [21] February 24, 2009Standard
 604 Records
United States [19] September 28, 2010
Canada [20] November 30, 2010Director's Cut
(Special Edition)
United States [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marianas Trench (band)</span> Canadian pop rock band

Marianas Trench is a Canadian pop rock band from Vancouver. They have released six studio albums: Fix Me (2006), Masterpiece Theatre (2009), Ever After (2011), Astoria (2015), Phantoms (2019), and Haven (2024). The band has been nominated for seven Juno Awards and won Group of the Year in 2013. They have received praise for their showmanship, vocal harmonies, and genre-blending music. Their albums Masterpiece Theatre and Ever After have reached double-platinum status, while their singles "Haven't Had Enough", "Desperate Measures", "Fallout", "Stutter", and "All to Myself" are certified 3× platinum in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say Anything (Marianas Trench song)</span> 2006 single by Marianas Trench

"Say Anything" is a song recorded by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on June 13, 2006 as the lead single from their debut studio album Fix Me. The song peaked at number three on the Canadian Singles Chart.

<i>Fix Me</i> (album)

Fix Me is the debut studio album by Canadian rock band Marianas Trench, released on October 3, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross My Heart (Marianas Trench song)</span> 2008 single by Marianas Trench

"Cross My Heart" is a song recorded by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on November 24, 2008 as the lead single from their second studio album Masterpiece Theatre. It was the "Best Comeback" on the January 31 issue on the Canadian Hot 100 and earned the "Sales Gainer" on the February 14 issue on the Canadian Hot 100. An acoustic version of the song was released on March 10, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Ramsay</span> Canadian singer-songwriter

Joshua Keeler Ramsay is a Canadian singer, songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known for being the lead vocalist of the pop rock band Marianas Trench. He has produced and has written songs for a wide array of artists including Carly Rae Jepsen, Nickelback, Jessica Lee, Faber Drive, and Suzie McNeil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marianas Trench discography</span>

Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench has released six studio albums, three extended plays, 27 singles and 25 music videos.

"All to Myself" is a song by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on February 24, 2009, as the second single from their second studio album Masterpiece Theatre. The song peaked at number 11 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified triple platinum by Music Canada.

"Beside You" is a song recorded by Canadian pop-rock group Marianas Trench from their second studio album Masterpiece Theatre. It was first released for digital download by 604 Records on February 24, 2009 as a promotional single. The song was later serviced to radio on August 17, 2009 as the third official single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celebrity Status</span> 2010 single by Marianas Trench

"Celebrity Status" is a song recorded by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. It was released for radio airplay on February 12, 2010 as the fourth single from their second studio album Masterpiece Theatre. The song was released digitally on April 6, 2010. The song peaked at number 24 on the Canadian Hot 100 and is certified double platinum in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good to You</span> 2010 single by Marianas Trench

"Good to You" is a song by Canadian pop punk group Marianas Trench. It was released on September 21, 2010 as the fifth single from their second studio album Masterpiece Theatre. The single version features Jessica Lee while the album version features Kate Voegele. It peaked at number 38 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart and is certified double platinum in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haven't Had Enough</span> 2011 single by Marianas Trench

"Haven't Had Enough" is a song recorded by Canadian pop punk band Marianas Trench for their third studio album, Ever After (2011). It was released July 19, 2011 as the album's lead single. The song debuted at #9 on the Canadian Hot 100 and was certified Platinum by Music Canada in December 2011; it was later certified 3× Platinum in March 2023.

<i>Ever After</i> (Marianas Trench album) 2011 studio album by Marianas Trench

Ever After is the third studio album by Canadian rock group Marianas Trench. It was released on November 21, 2011, in Canada and December 21, 2011, in the US. The album was certified Double Platinum by Music Canada in January 2018. Five singles were released from the album, including the Canadian Hot 100 Top 10 hit "Haven't Had Enough" and the Top 20 Canada Hot AC airplay hits "Stutter" and "By Now". The album's first four singles have been certified Double Platinum by Music Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fallout (Marianas Trench song)</span> 2011 single by Marianas Trench

"Fallout" is a song recorded by Canadian pop punk band Marianas Trench for their third studio album, Ever After (2011). It was released November 14, 2011 as the album's second single. The song has peaked in the Top 40 on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 and been certified Gold by Music Canada. In March 2023, "Fallout" was certified Triple Platinum.

<i>Face the Music</i> (EP) 2013 EP by Marianas Trench

Face the Music: The EP is the title of the second extended play released by Canadian pop-rock group Marianas Trench. Featuring popular songs from the group's most recent album, Ever After (2011), the EP marks Marianas Trench's first official US music release. It was first released May 10, 2013 in New Zealand before being released in North America later that month, and was distributed through 604 Records, Cherrytree Records, and Interscope Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pop 101</span> 2014 single by Marianas Trench

"Pop 101" is a song recorded by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench, featuring hip hop artist Anami Vice. Written and produced by lead singer Josh Ramsay, it was released July 29, 2014 through 604 Records, Cherrytree Records, and Interscope Records. Originally announced as the lead single off the band's forthcoming fourth studio album, Astoria (2015), the song was later scrapped from the album and serves only as a buzz single; it is also included on their 2015 extended play, Something Old / Something New. "Pop 101" entered the Canadian Hot 100 at No. 27, and was certified Gold by Music Canada in November 2014.

<i>Astoria</i> (Marianas Trench album) 2015 studio album by Marianas Trench

Astoria is the fourth studio album recorded by Canadian rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on October 23, 2015, through 604 Records and Cherrytree Records and Interscope Records (internationally). The album represents the band's official return to the music scene after promotion of their previous album, Ever After (2011), ended in 2013, and was preceded by the retrospective EP, Something Old / Something New earlier in 2015.

<i>Something Old / Something New</i> 2015 EP by Marianas Trench

Something Old / Something New is the third extended play recorded by Canadian rock group Marianas Trench, released May 26, 2015 through 604 Records, Cherrytree Records, and Interscope Records. It contains two songs originally recorded for the band's fourth studio album, Astoria (2015), and two tracks that pre-date the recording of their debut studio album, Fix Me (2006), from their Self-Titled EP "Marianas Trench" (2002). The EP was released in promotion of Astoria and serves as a "thank you" to their fans.

<i>Phantoms</i> (Marianas Trench album) 2019 studio album by Marianas Trench

Phantoms is the fifth studio album released by Canadian rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on March 1, 2019 through 604 Records in Canada and Interscope Records internationally. The album saw another new style for the band, going for a more haunted and ghostly like sound as opposed to the more fantastical sound on their previous work, Astoria, which is where the title of Phantoms comes from.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desperate Measures (song)</span> 2012 single by Marianas Trench

"Desperate Measures" is a song recorded by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. It was released on July 4, 2012, as the third single on their third studio album Ever After. The song peaked on the Canadian Hot 100 chart at number 20 on the week of August 11, 2012 and was certified triple platinum in Canada in March 2023.

<i>Haven</i> (Marianas Trench album) Released in 2024

Haven is the sixth studio album by Canadian pop rock band Marianas Trench. The album was released on August 30, 2024, via 604 Records. The group released four singles prior to the album's release, "A Normal Life", "Lightning and Thunder", "I'm Not Getting Better" and "Down to You".

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sputnikmusic review". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Melodic Net - Marianas Trench - Ever After". Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Chisling, Matthew (February 24, 2009). "Masterpiece Theatre Review by Matthew Chisling". AllMusic . Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Marianas Trench - Masterpiece Theatre". Armoury Studios . Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "Masterpiece Theatre - Marianas Trench Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ Steve McLean (August 14, 2015). "Marianas Trench - The Canadian Encyclopedia". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Historica Canada . Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Marianas Trench climbs on the strength of some hard work". Red Deer Advocate . July 15, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ Corey Apar. "Marianas Trench Biography by Corey Apar". AllMusic . Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  9. ↑ Lauren Song. "Canada's Marianas Trench Is Ready To Conquer America". Faze . Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Ryan (September 27, 2010). "Masterpiece Theatre - Marianas Trench". Alternative Addiction . Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Kevin Miao (November 14, 2011). "Review: Marianas Trench – Masterpiece Theatre". Lostinthesound.com. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  12. 1 2 Anastasia, Nick (February 22, 2009). "Marianas Trench - Masterpiece Theatre". Melodic . Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Six New Times Contributors Name Their Top 10 Records of 2010 – Page 5 – Music – Phoenix". Phoenix New Times . December 30, 2010. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  14. 1 2 "Marianas Trench Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "Canadian album certifications – Marianas Trench – Masterpiece Theatre". Music Canada . Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Marianas Trench Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard . Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  17. ↑ "2009 Western Canadian Music Award Artistic Winners" . Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  18. ↑ "The Best of Alternative Addiction 2010 | Top 20 Albums". Alternativeaddiction.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  19. 1 2 "Masterpiece Theatre by Marianas Trench". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. September 28, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  20. 1 2 "Masterpiece Theatre - Director's Cut (Special Edition) by Marianas Trench". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. November 30, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Masterpiece Theatre by Marianas Trench". iTunes Store (CA). Apple Inc. February 24, 2009. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Masterpiece Theatre - Director's Cut (Special Edition) Marianas Trench". iTunes Store (US). Apple Inc. November 30, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
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