The band released their second studio album on February 24, 2009 entitled Masterpiece Theatre.
It takes some real cojones to include the word 'Masterpiece' in your album title, but Josh Ramsay isn't too worried. "I suppose I could be digging myself into a hole calling the record Masterpiece Theatre," he chuckles, "but it's tongue-in-cheek. And I'm not the kind of person that people would assume as being an egomaniac. I hope not, anyway."
Given his feverish imagination and comprehensive musical gifts, Ramsay could probably get away with a little egomania. And with the release of Masterpiece Theatre, the frontman of Vancouver's Marianas Trench makes a iron-clad case for a prodigious set of talents - both his own and those of his bandmates, guitarist Matt Webb, bassist Mike Ayley, and drummer Ian Casselman.
Marianas Trench had already elevated itself above the rest of the pack with a 2006 debut, Fix Me, that showcased a knack for colouring outside the lines of factory-issue millenial punk, shrewdly-built pop, and super-adrenalized modern rock. The single and in particular the video "Shake Tramp" was enough to demonstrate these qualities, coupled with Ramsay's uninhibited urge to be the complete song-and-dance man.
But with both the industry and the fans beating down the door for a quick second album, the Trench decided to put on the brakes. "All of a sudden you have six months to do your next record," Ramsay sighs. "So I really had to just put my foot down and say, 'No, I need the time to do this.' I was not interested in putting something out for the sake of putting something out."
Two years later, Marianas Trench has re-emerged with Masterpiece Theatre. And not surprisingly, it's a work of soaring ambition and decisive technical prowess โ that easily might not have happened. "It's one thing when you're Chad Kroeger and you just finished writing 'How You Remind Me'," Ramsay states. "I didn't have some mega-platinum song to back up my argument with, so I was lucky that the band and the label trusted me enough to do it."
By "it", Ramsay means he was allowed to indulge a high-concept fantasy for the band's sophomore album, which is built, for starters, around a song called "Masterpiece Theatre". Adopting Brian Wilson's notion of the 'pocket symphony' and then running with it, the three distinct versions of โMasterpiece Theatreโ dotted across the record feature an almost perfect balance between the vocal theatrics of Queen and the more hymnal qualities of the Beach Boys.
By the time โMasterpiece Theatreโ is reprised for a final, climactic time, every other song on the album is quoted and incorporated into an intricately constructed dramatic revue that swings from pristine pop, to propulsive riff rock, to quasi-doo wop, to robotic new wave, and finally into a wholly satisfying thematic payoff.
"You know in the climax of a musical, there's always that medley at the end, and I thought that would be cool on a rock record," explains Ramsay, "but it turned out to be a lot harder than I thought it would be. I wrote it in the studio as we recorded it, and it took about three weeks."
After a beat, he adds, "But really it took me two years because it draws from all the songs on the whole album."
Bassist Mike Ayley readily admits, "I don't think any of the three โMasterpiece Theatreโ songs could have gone on Fix Me had they been written at the time. โMasterpieceโ 2 and 3 in particular are amazing songs that really explore the potential of Josh's writing. You really have to hear them to get it. It's like trying to explain โBohemian Rhapsodyโ to somebody who has only heard Kanye West and Katy Perry."
Ramsay agrees. "I really wanted to have a 'Good Vibrations'/'Bohemian Rhapsodyโ style song on the first record,โ he says, โbut I don't think I was a mature enough writer to have written it yet, and I still feel like I was in over-my-head when we did this one, and I just barely made it."
Ramsay is unnecessarily modest; the whole of Masterpiece Theatre demonstrates a startling compositional maturity compared to the Marianas Trench of two years ago.
"Beside You" is a panoramic exercise in big emotions, with a dash of the Dream Academy's "Life In a Northern Townโ. "Acadia" begins with a clipped, bright acoustic guitar, and blossoms into something like the Who reconsidered by U2, reimagined for the net generation. In the crunchy "All to Myself", the power ballad "Lover Dearest", and the strident "Good to You" (in which he duets with Kate Voegele), Ramsay pulls out the kind of honeyed vocals more attuned to modern RnB than white, adolescent rock.
"I always had that aspect in my voice but the first record just didn't have songs that were conducive to me singing that way," he states. "I think it's from growing up listening to a lot of Michael Jackson. With these songs, it made sense to stretch out a little more."
On "Cross My Heart" and "Celebrity Status", the band conjures up a kind of perfect pop crossover. Producer Dave 'Rave' Ogilvie was responsible for the latter track, which cops a move he used on Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People" with three drummers (Casselman, Ramsay and Shane Wilson) playing at once - much to Ramsay's delight. "He's just worked with so many great artists which makes his well of tricks and ideas so vast," he says.
True to Ramsay's quest for "more diversity on this album" - not to mention the indulgence of his record label - Rave was just one of four prominent guest producers eventually roped into Masterpiece Theatre. Their collective resume includes Nine Inch Nails, Sum 41, Iggy Pop, Avril Lavigne, and Hedley among others.
"I feel really fortunate to have worked with all those guys," Ramsay says, "coz they all bring really unique things. Dave Genn and I have a really good working relationship with each other, and he has such a unique style with arrangement and stuff. Greig Nori was a really pleasant surprise. As far as I can tell, he wanted to work with us because he liked our video. The whole time he was just trying to get me to dance around like an idiot. And Raine Maida, man? Raine's a trip!"
Bassist Ayley also credits Maida for encouraging the band to โfind a personality-identity that wasn't as evident when we started the production process," while also praising Ramsay for his production efforts. Ramsay took charge of four songs on the finished record. โJosh is really about capturing the emotion and power which isn't surprising considering all the feeling in the writing,โ he says.
Oddly enough, Ramsay also wanted Disney's in-house genius Alan (Little Mermaid) Mencken to twiddle the knobs for the climactic version of "Masterpiece Theatre", but admits, "it's a pretty tall order to get an Academy Award winner to come and work on your record."
Still, the album is certainly not diminished by the few things Ramsay didn't get. And once the world gets a load of this Masterpiece, Mencken, Pharrell Williams, Phil Spector... you name it. They'll probably be lining up.
B-Team
Marianas Trench Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See if it fits for a bit
And if you don't like it
Then you can go like you have been
And I'll never tell, never tell how I fell for it
I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan b?
You know, you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the b team
This could hurt some,
But if we don't never know what it's worth to ya
I saw you first,
Do ya remember?
You played it well, victim sell,
How I fell for it, I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You never say yes, not quite no
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan b?
You know you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please, I'm the b team
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me be you do
(you just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(you just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(you just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(you just like oh)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
Say just enough to make me not go
Oh
You know you know
You love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
You know you, you love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please I'm the b team
The lyrics to Marianas Trench's "B-Team" express the tenuous position of being the backup option in a romantic relationship. The singer acknowledges that they are not the first choice, but they desperately hope to be the one that the person chooses in the end. The repetition of "why am I your plan B?" emphasizes the singer's frustration with always being the backup option. The line "you choose your words, careful voice" portrays the other person's manipulative behavior, hinting that they may be intentionally leading the singer on. The line "you like to make me beg" further supports this idea, suggesting that the other person enjoys the power they hold over the singer.
The lyrics also touch on themes of self-worth and the fear of rejection. The singer admits to never having fallen before, implying that they may have a fear of vulnerability or have been hesitant to pursue romantic relationships in the past. The line "this could hurt some" shows that the singer understands the potential risks of pursuing a relationship with someone who doesn't seem fully invested in them. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of longing and uncertainty, with the singer struggling to reconcile their feelings with the reality of the situation.
Line by Line Meaning
You could want this
You may have wanted this
See if it fits for a bit
Try it out for a while
And if you don't like it
And if you don't like it
Then you can go like you have been
Then you can leave like you always do
And I'll never tell, never tell how I fell for it
And I won't reveal how I fell for it
I never fell before
This is a new experience for me
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You always manage to get the upper hand over me
You never say yes, not quite no
You never give a definitive answer
Say just enough to make me not go
Say just enough to keep me hanging on
You choose your words, careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You carefully select your words but in the end, I'm not your first choice
You say you want someone just like me
You claim you want someone like me
So then why am I your plan, why am I your plan, why am I your plan b?
Then why am I your backup plan?
You know, you know you love the way I linger and, you keep me wrapped right round your finger
You love having control over me
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and, and in time, I could be the right one
But you ask me to be patient because, eventually, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the b team
Please recognize that I'm just a backup plan
This could hurt some,
This could be hurtful
But if we don't never know what it's worth to ya
But if we don't try, we'll never know if it's worth it to you
I saw you first, do ya remember?
I noticed you before, do you recall?
You played it well, victim sell, how I fell for it, I never fell before
You played the victim well and I fell for it, which is something that has never happened before
You like to make me beg, yes you like it, you like to make me beg, you do (you just like it)
You enjoy making me beg
Say just enough to make me not go
Say just enough to keep me hanging on
You know you know you love the way I linger and, you keep me wrapped right round your finger
You love having control over me
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and, and in time, I could be the right one
But you ask me to be patient because, eventually, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the b team
Please recognize that I'm just a backup plan
You know you, you love the way I linger and, you keep me wrapped right round your finger
You love having control over me
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and, and in time, I could be the right one
But you ask me to be patient because, eventually, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the b team
Please recognize that I'm just a backup plan
Lyrics ยฉ OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bella Bloodstar
You could want this
See if it fits for a bit
And if you don't like it
Then you can go like you have been
And I'll never tell, never tell how I fell for it
I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You never say yes, not quite no
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan B?
You know, you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the B team
This could hurt some,
But if we don't never know what it's worth to ya
I saw you first,
Do ya remember?
You played it well, victim sell,
How I fell for it, I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You never say yes, not quite no
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan B?
You know you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please, I'm the B team
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me be you do
(You just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(You just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(YOU JUST LIKE IT)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(YOU JUST LIKE OH)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
SAY JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE ME NOT GO
OH
You know you know
You love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
You know you, you love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please I'm the B Team
Adrienne Cheng
still a bop after so many years
VicadinTea
Can confirm this to still be a bop
lin
@VicadinTea same lol
Phthalo
Still a bop in 2022
OuZi
And 2023 lol ๐
Bella Bloodstar
You could want this
See if it fits for a bit
And if you don't like it
Then you can go like you have been
And I'll never tell, never tell how I fell for it
I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You never say yes, not quite no
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan B?
You know, you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time, I could be the right one
Please, I'm the B team
This could hurt some,
But if we don't never know what it's worth to ya
I saw you first,
Do ya remember?
You played it well, victim sell,
How I fell for it, I never fell before
3, 2, 1, you get right up and I'm the one done
You never say yes, not quite no
Say just enough to make me not go
You choose your words,
Careful voice, in the end I'm not the first choice
You say you want someone just like me
So then why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan,
Why am I your plan B?
You know you know you love the way I linger and,
You keep me wrapped right round your finger,
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please, I'm the B team
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me be you do
(You just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(You just like it)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(YOU JUST LIKE IT)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
(YOU JUST LIKE OH)
You like to make me beg, yes you like it
You like to make me beg, you do
SAY JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE ME NOT GO
OH
You know you know
You love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
You know you, you love the way I linger and,
You keep my wrapped right round your finger
But you say, you say, just wait a little longer, and
And in time I could be the right one
Please I'm the B Team
Phthalo
Thank you
jaimie skyler
2021... I said I'd forever love these guys... Ever since cross my heart ๐
VicadinTea
This was the first song I ever heard by them during arguably the hardest part of my life, I've kept them close ever since and I don't see that changing anytime soon
chris acklin
This whole album is fantastic. Listened to it at 14 now here I am hearing it at 25 still enjoying it lmao shout out to you you're a real one