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 – 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 “Masterpiece Theatre” 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 “Masterpiece Theatre” 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 ‘Masterpiece Theatre’ songs could have gone on Fix Me had they been written at the time. ‘Masterpiece’ 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 ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to somebody who has only heard Kanye West and Katy Perry."
Ramsay agrees. "I really wanted to have a 'Good Vibrations'/'Bohemian Rhapsody’ style song on the first record,” he says, “but 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 Town”. "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 “find 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. “Josh is really about capturing the emotion and power which isn't surprising considering all the feeling in the writing,” 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.
Skin & Bones
Marianas Trench Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn on the water
Bury that sound
So no one hears anything anymore
Mirrors lie to me, tell me you can see
Maybe you won't be able to recognize me now
I know you can feel, all the things you steal
And you're taking, you're taking it
Feeling so easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
You break like it's even
When you're leaving and
Thin, where the hell have you been?
Well sometimes it burns
Baby I'll wash it out
It all look so big
Never mind, I don't feel anything
It only hurt a bit
I still feel like shit
And I think you won't be able to recognize me now
It's easier to quit
Harder to admit and
You're pushing me, you're fucking pushing me!
Feeling so easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
You break like it's even
When you're leaving and
Thin, where the hell have you been?
Cause you always win
You always win
Laughin' like it works
Bleeding like it don't hurt
Knock you off your feet
Even if you need me
Tear you apart, and I hate how I need you
Feeling too easy make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
Break like its even
When your faking
it's too fucking easy, make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
Break like it's even
When you're leaving and
Thin, where the hell have you been
Cause you always win, and you always win, you always win
I will burn all this
The lyrics of Marianas Trench's song "Skin & Bones" describe a toxic and abusive relationship where the singer is constantly reducing themselves to please their partner. They "lock the door" and "turn on the water" to drown out any noise and hide the truth from the outside world, while looking at themselves in the mirror and wondering if their partner can still recognize them. The lines "Feeling so easy, make me skin and bones" and "I'm always on my knees for you" indicate that the singer is sacrificing their own well-being, mental and physical, to please their partner. The phrase "You break like it's even" implies that their partner doesn't feel any remorse or guilt about their actions, and even enjoys causing pain to the singer.
The line "Laughin' like it works, bleeding like it don't hurt" highlights the way the partner minimizes the harm they are causing, and the line "Tear you apart, and I hate how I need you" reveals the singer's conflict within themselves, between their self-respect and their emotional attachment to the abuser. The repetitive phrase "Cause you always win" shows the singer's realization that no matter what they do to please their partner, they will never be able to change them or escape their control.
Line by Line Meaning
I lock the door
I try to shut out the world and isolate myself from others.
Turn on the water
I use the sound of water to drown out everything else.
Bury that sound
I don't want anyone to hear what is going on in my life.
So no one hears anything anymore
I want to keep my struggles to myself and pretend everything is okay.
Mirrors lie to me, tell me you can see
I can't trust what I see in the mirror or how others view me because of my own insecurities.
Maybe you won't be able to recognize me now
I feel like I am changing and losing myself in the process.
I know you can feel, all the things you steal
I am aware that someone is taking advantage of me and my emotions.
And you're taking, you're taking it
I feel powerless and like I am being robbed of my own agency and control over my life.
Feeling so easy
It is too effortless for me to give in to this person or this situation.
Make me skin and bones
I feel like I am losing myself and becoming weaker both physically and emotionally.
I'm always on my knees for you
I constantly put this person or situation above myself, and it is taking a toll on me.
You break like it's even
This person is not affected by what they are doing to me, and it makes me feel insignificant.
When you're leaving and thin, where the hell have you been?
This person leaves me when I need them the most, and I am left wondering where they have gone and why they have abandoned me.
Well sometimes it burns
I feel pain, but I try to ignore it and pretend that everything is okay.
Baby I'll wash it out
I try to numb the pain and hope that it will go away.
It all look so big
Everything in my life feels overwhelming and insurmountable.
Never mind, I don't feel anything
I am trying to shut down my emotions as a way of coping with my struggles.
It only hurt a bit
I try to downplay my pain and pretend like it doesn't affect me as much as it does.
I still feel like shit
Even though I try to ignore my pain, it is still affecting me and making me feel terrible.
And I think you won't be able to recognize me now
I feel like I have changed so much that even the people closest to me won't be able to see who I really am.
It's easier to quit
I am contemplating giving up and letting go of the situation or person that is causing me pain.
Harder to admit
I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that I am not happy and need to make a change in my life.
And you're pushing me, you're fucking pushing me!
This person is causing me to feel so much pain and stress that I am reaching a breaking point.
Cause you always win
I feel like I am constantly losing in this situation while this person always comes out on top.
Laughin' like it works
This person is pretending like everything is okay and like they are winning, even though they are causing me so much pain and suffering.
Bleeding like it don't hurt
This person is hurting me, but they don't seem to care or acknowledge the pain they are causing me.
Knock you off your feet
This person's actions are so intense and severe that they are causing me to feel overwhelmed and knocked off balance.
Even if you need me, tear you apart, and I hate how I need you
Even though this person is causing me pain, I feel like I need them in my life and it makes me feel powerless and frustrated.
it's too fucking easy, make me skin and bones
It is too effortless for this person to manipulate and control me, to the point where I am losing myself.
Cause you always win, and you always win, you always win
This person always comes out on top and I feel like I am constantly losing, no matter what I do.
I will burn all this
I want to get rid of the pain and struggles in my life, even if it means burning everything down and starting over.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@notlegallyskylar
I lock the door
Turn all the water on
And bury the sound
So no one hears anything anymore
Mirror, lie to me,
Tell me you can see
Maybe you won't be able
To recognize me now
I know you can feel
All the things you steal
And you're taking it
And you're taking it
Feeling so easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
You break like it's even
When you're leaving
And thin?
Where the hell have you been?
Well sometimes it burns
Maybe I'll wash it out
It all looks so big
Nevermind, I don't feel anything
I only hurt a bit
I still feel like shit
And I think you won't be abld
To recognize me now
It's easier to quit
It's harder to admit
You're pushing me
You're fucking pushing me
Feeling so easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
You break like it's even
When you're leaving
And thin?
Where the hell have you been?
'Cause you always win
Anf you always win
Yeah
Laughing like it works
Bleeding like it don't hurt
Knock you off your feet
Even if you need me
Tear you apart
And I hate how I need you
Feeling so easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
Break like it's even
When you're leaving
It's too fucking easy
Make me skin and bones
I'm always on my knees for you
Break like it's even
When you're leaving
And thin?
Where the hell have you been?
You always win
And you always win
You always win
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
I will burn all this
@meraviglia9172
Chiudo la porta
Girare tutta l'acqua su
E seppellire quel suono
Così nessuno sente più nulla
Specchi mentire a me, mi dica è possibile vedere
Forse non sarà in grado di riconoscere me ora
So che si può sentire, tutte le cose che rubano
E si sta prendendo, si sta Takin esso
Sentirsi così facile
Fammi pelle e ossa
Sono sempre in ginocchio per voi
Si interrompe come se fosse ancora
Quando si sta lasciando
Sottile, dove diavolo sei stato?
Beh a volte brucia
Forse mi laverò fuori
Tutto sembra così grande
Nevermind, non sento niente
Faceva male solo un po '
Mi sento ancora una merda
E penso che non sarà in grado di riconoscere me ora
E 'più facile per uscire
Più difficile da ammettere e
Mi stai pushin, sei fottuto me pushin!
Sentirsi così facile
Fammi pelle e ossa
Sono sempre in ginocchio per voi
Si interrompe come se fosse ancora
Quando si sta lasciando
Sottile, dove diavolo sei stato?
Cause you sempre vincere
Hai sempre vincere
Ridendo come funziona
Sanguinamento come se non fanno male
è staccare i piedi
Anche se hai bisogno di me
Strappare a parte, e io odio come ho bisogno di te
Sentendosi troppo facile, mi fanno la pelle e ossa
Sono sempre in ginocchio per voi
Rompere come il suo, anche
Quando la vostra lasciando.
Troppo fottutamente facile
Fammi pelle e ossa
Sono sempre in ginocchio per voi
Rompere come se fosse ancora
Quando vostra partenza
Sottile, dove diavolo sei stato?
Perchè tu sempre vince, si vince sempre.
Brucerò tutto questo [x9]
@puffins5497
Im a boy and I don't purge, but I have really restrictive anorexia and I relate to this song
@bongabongabongabonga
I know it’s been a year since you made this comment but I hope you’re okay now. And if not, I hope you are receiving the help you need. Eating disorders are hell.
@raquelortiz6077
This group and this song don't get the recognition they deserve 😭❤️
@cassidy2713
agreed :(
@jesuspineda2383
They're so perfect
@freddie7024
I used to cry to this song deep in my anorexia
Im recovered now and I am glad to be out of that hell
@binklebonkle5767
I remember when I was like seven my sister showed me this song and explained to me what it was about, and I remember thinking "Oh that's really sad. I'm sure it'll never happen to me though."
And now my brain's sort of just gone "*Haha, get wrecked bitch*"
@yeahimoliver
yup… similar with what happened with me.
@lunaevans3562
if i could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, this would be it
@lunaevans3562
a lot can change in two years. but i guess we’re back again <3