If the Backstreet Boys played their own instruments and dabbled in punk music, they might sound like Vancouver pop band, the Marianas Trench’s new CD ‘Masterpiece Theatre.’ All right that might sound a little harsh, they have a lot cooler influences than that. There is quite a bit of an orchestral  Queen influence, especially on the first track ‘Masterpiece Theatre I’ which has  some beautiful orchestration and some impressive vocal harmonies.
 Throughout though, the pop tinged vocal harmonies are what draws the Backstreet Boys comparison.
‘All To Myself ’ is an enjoyable slice of pop.
‘Cross My Heart,’ is another crunchy and catchy piece of Sum-41 style pop punk, with a neat guitar riff.
 On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is a Hedley meets Backstreet Boys style power ballad ‘Beside You,’ which has some soaring vocal harmonies.
‘Masterpiece Theatre II’ is  another soulful orchestral number while ‘Sing Sing’ is a more punk influenced  catchy number with some orchestral vocal harmonies. ‘Celebrity Status’  is another catchy, more rock tinged number.
 While the CD in general strays too far over the pop line for my tastes, there are some highlights, and you can’t knock those voices. You also can’t knock the production values. Rainee Maida (Our Lady Peace) lends his ear and touch to the CD as does David Genn (Matthew Good Band, 54-40).
The CD ends with an upbeat number which combines elements, riff, lyrics and titles from all the rest of the tracks on the CD in a grand orchestral grande finale in the highly orchestrated ‘Masterpiece Theatre III.
CD: presents Masterpiece Theatre
Band: Marianas Trench
Genre: pop
Record label: 604 Records