Ever After (Marianas Trench album)

After months of anticipation, lead singer Josh Ramsay announced on Twitter that the album will be titled Ever After.{{cite tweet|number=82896000787812352|user=JoshRamsay|title=If you missed it in all the insanity last night, our next record is called Ever After. Dark fairytale done MT style...|date=June 20, 2011}} The band announced that the album would be released on November 29, 2011,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnd5GnZxGg|title=Marianas Trench "Ever After" Release Date|website=YouTube|access-date=August 7, 2023}} however this date was later pushed up to November 21. The band announced that there would not be any breaks in between the tracks on the record, and would instead have a new track start as soon as the previous track ended, without a pause, making it an hour-long continuous piece of music. Production on the album began in the beginning of 2011.{{cite tweet|number=22100433019338752|user=mtrench|title=Ooooo all 4 of us are here at the studio today working on the new album. Shall I post something? Nah, you're gonna have to wait :)|date=January 3, 2011}}

The album was produced by Ramsay and was recorded at his studio, Umbrella Factory, in Richmond, British Columbia. Through YouTube, the band previewed recordings of a gospel choir for their song "Stutter", as well as a few recordings from the band.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNwX5vwthks|title=Marianas Trench Studio Update #4|website=YouTube|access-date=July 30, 2023}} The album cover was revealed on the band's Facebook page on October 17, 2011, and it features a series of toys on a shelf.{{cite tweet|number=126098542723993600|user=mtrench|title=We posted The album cover for Ever After on our facebook page. What do y'all think?|date=October 17, 2011}}

Ever After is a concept album based around a fairytale concept. In addition to the fact that there is no pause between the tracks, Ever After also has a storyline told through the album's songs as well as its booklet. The story tells of a fictionalized Josh Ramsay and his adventures in the fantasy kingdom of Toyland.

It tells a story of a man awakening in a land run by Queen Carolina, who uses her factory to build toys that steal hearts. The man goes on a mission to find Porcelain: the missing, heartless, adopted daughter of the former king. She holds a piece of a key that opens a chest that will allow him to return home.{{cite web|url=https://chorus.fm/reviews/marianas-trench-ever-after/|title=Marianas Trench - Ever After|website=Chorus.fm|date=November 17, 2011|access-date=August 7, 2023}}

The first single on the album, entitled "Haven't Had Enough" was released on July 19, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/havent-had-enough-single/448770805|title=Haven't Had Enough - Single by Marianas Trench|website=Apple Music|access-date=August 7, 2023}} The music video for the song was released on August 26, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8c5XkGbEQiE|title=Marianas Trench - Haven't Had Enough|website=YouTube|accessdate=August 7, 2023}} "By Now" was released as a free download to people who pre-ordered the Deluxe Edition of Ever After on iTunes.{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/preorder/ever-after-deluxe-version/id479350096 |title=iTunes Canada – Marianas Trench – Ever After (Deluxe Edition) Preorder |publisher=604 Records |accessdate=September 14, 2011 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611053651/http://itunes.apple.com/ca/preorder/ever-after-deluxe-version/id479350096 |archivedate=June 11, 2012 }} The second official single, "Fallout" was released to iTunes on November 14.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/fallout-single/477898619|title=Fallout - Single by Marianas Trench|website=Apple Music|accessdate=August 7, 2023}} On February 1, 2012, a music video for "Fallout" premiered via MTV.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_to_release_fallout_video|title=Marianas Trench to release "Fallout" video|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Bird, Michele|date=February 1, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321212145/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_to_release_fallout_video|archivedate=March 21, 2016}} A behind-the-scenes video was also released.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_release_behind_the_scenes_video_for_fallout|title=Marianas Trench release behind-the-scenes video for "Fallout"|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Bird, Michele|date=February 21, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321223706/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_release_behind_the_scenes_video_for_fallout|archivedate=March 21, 2016}} The third single "Desperate Measures" was released on July 4, 2012 and had its music video premiere the same day.{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/desperate-measures-single/1213575112|title=Desperate Measures - Single by Marianas Trench|website=Apple Music|access-date=February 26, 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_release_desperate_measures_music_video|title=Marianas Trench release "Desperate Measures" music video|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Colwell, Matthew|date=July 4, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226135500/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_release_desperate_measures_music_video|archivedate=December 26, 2017}} The fourth single "Stutter" was released on December 4, 2012.{{cite tweet|number=275848590381940736|user=mtrench|title=Trenchers, Stutter is officially out to radio stations on Canada so it's time to start requesting to your fave|date=December 4, 2012}} Although not playing the character of Princess Porcelain, actress Olivia Ryan-Stern was heavily featured in this video as well.{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4271632/ |title=Olivia Ryan Stern - IMDb |website=IMDb |accessdate=May 29, 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331210138/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4271632/ |archivedate=March 31, 2016 }} The music video premiered on the MuchMusic Top 10 on December 17, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.marianastrench.net/news/stutter-video-premier--tonight-|title=Stutter video premier! Tonight!|website=marianastrench.net|date=December 17, 2012|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515084606/http://www.marianastrench.net/news/stutter-video-premier--tonight-|archivedate=May 15, 2013|access-date=August 7, 2023}} The fifth and final single, "By Now" was released for radio airplay on June 10, 2013.{{cite tweet|number=344126944553619456|user=mtrench|title=You can now request our new single By Now on the radio!|date=June 10, 2013}} The music video for the song was released on August 1, 2013.{{cite web|url=https://canadianbeats.ca/2013/08/02/by-now-marianas-trench/|title=By Now – Marianas Trench|author=Amanda Hather|website=Canadian Beats|date=August 2, 2013|access-date=July 26, 2023}}

They toured with The Ready Set, Allstar Weekend, and The Downtown Fiction in the 2011 Glamour Kills Tour.{{cite web|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/foxborough/ev--the-glamour-kills-tour-featuring-the-ready-set-at90a64bbb04|title=The Glamour Kills Tour featuring The Ready Set at Showcase Live|author=Debbie Tremblay|website=Patch Media|date=February 21, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2023}} In October and November, the group supported Simple Plan on their headlining US tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/simple_plan_announce_tour_dates_with_forever_the_sickest_kids_the_cab_maria|title=Simple Plan announce tour dates with Forever The Sickest Kids, the Cab, Marianas Trench|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Common, Tyler|date=September 19, 2011|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031052058/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/simple_plan_announce_tour_dates_with_forever_the_sickest_kids_the_cab_maria|archivedate=October 31, 2013}} They toured in Canada with Simple Plan, All Time Low, and These Kids Wear Crowns in February. In April, the group planned to go on a tour of the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_announce_spring_tour|title=Marianas Trench announce spring tour|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Bird, Michele|date=February 24, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226043935/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_announce_spring_tour|archivedate=February 26, 2012}} However, they had to cancel it due to illness.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_postpone_tour_due_to_illness|title=Marianas Trench postpone tour due to illness|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=April 9, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605032056/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_postpone_tour_due_to_illness|archivedate=June 5, 2012}}

In May, the group appeared at The Bamboozle festival in the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/brand_new_less_than_jake_marianas_trench_more_added_to_bamboozle_2012_lineu|title=Brand New, Less Than Jake, Marianas Trench, more added to Bamboozle 2012 lineup|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Heisel, Scott|date=February 21, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121014325/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/brand_new_less_than_jake_marianas_trench_more_added_to_bamboozle_2012_lineu|archivedate=January 21, 2013}} Following this, the group appeared on the Journeys Backyard BBQ Tour, which included indoor and outdoor performances at malls in the US.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/all_american_rejects_hit_the_lights_marianas_trench_announced_for_journeys|title=All-American Rejects, Hit The Lights, Marianas Trench announced for Journeys Backyard BBQ Tour|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=April 19, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102103625/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/all_american_rejects_hit_the_lights_marianas_trench_announced_for_journeys|archivedate=November 2, 2014}} Further US shows took place following the conclusion of the tour. Some of the shows were performed with The Audition.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/aptv/entry/premiere_marianas_trench_ever_after_live_at_air_canada_centre|title=Premiere: Marianas Trench, "Ever After" (live at Air Canada Centre)|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=May 29, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226135500/https://www.altpress.com/aptv/entry/premiere_marianas_trench_ever_after_live_at_air_canada_centre|archivedate=December 26, 2017}} In September, the group performed at the Bazooka Rocks Festival in the Philippines.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/mayday_parade_the_maine_forever_the_sickest_kids_to_play_festival_in_philip|title=Mayday Parade, the Maine, Forever The Sickest Kids to play festival in Philippines|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Yancey, Bryne|date=June 4, 2012|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714073451/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/mayday_parade_the_maine_forever_the_sickest_kids_to_play_festival_in_philip|archivedate=July 14, 2012}} In May and June, the group went on the Noise Tour with Air Dubai.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/journeys_announce_the_noise_tour_with_marianas_trench_and_air_dubai|title=Journeys announce the Noise Tour with Marianas Trench and Air Dubai|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Whitt, Cassie|date=April 10, 2013|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504102657/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/journeys_announce_the_noise_tour_with_marianas_trench_and_air_dubai|archivedate=May 4, 2014}} A deluxe edition of the album was released in March 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_to_shoot_new_music_video_request_fan_involvement|title=Marianas Trench to shoot new music video, request fan involvement|work=Alternative Press|publisher=Alternative Press Magazine, Inc|author=Bird, Michele|date=May 15, 2014|accessdate=December 26, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226135500/https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/marianas_trench_to_shoot_new_music_video_request_fan_involvement|archivedate=December 26, 2017}}

The album became available for full preview on the MuchMusic website a week before the release.{{cite tweet|number=135133376666533888|user=mtrench|title=On monday @MuchMusic will be doing a worldwide exclusive online first spin of #EverAfter you can stream the entire album and read the story!|date=November 11, 2011}} The album was released on iTunes the morning of November 20. Hard copies of Ever After became available on November 21. Some stores such as Wal-Mart, are selling limited edition "Fan-packs" of Ever After that include a Marianas Trench T-shirt.

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AbsolutePunk

| rev1score = {{rating|9|10}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2516242|title=Marianas Trench - Ever After|website=AbsolutePunk|author=Joe DeAndrea|date=November 17, 2011|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120729103815/http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=2516242|archivedate=July 29, 2012|access-date=August 7, 2023}}

| rev2 = AllMusic

| rev2Score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last=Monger|first=Timothy|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ever-after-mw0002253173|title=Ever After – Marianas Trench|publisher=AllMusic. Rovi Corporation|accessdate=January 4, 2015|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527000835/http://www.allmusic.com/album/ever-after-mw0002253173|archivedate=May 27, 2015}}

| rev3 = Melodic

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.melodic.net/?page=review&id=10519|title=Marianas Trench – Ever After|work=Melodic|author=Wippsson, Johan|date=February 26, 2012|accessdate=July 18, 2017|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507104325/http://melodic.net/?page=review&id=10519|archivedate=May 7, 2016}}

}}

Ever After was met with positive reviews from music critics. Joe DeAndrea of AbsolutePunk called the album, "damn near flawless" and said it could be a "top candidate for one of the best pop-rock albums of 2011." He praised the slower tempo tracks such as "Porcelain" and "So Soon" for its instrumentation and called "Desperate Measures" and "Stutter" as standout tracks. Timothy Monger of AllMusic stated, "Their pop-punk core remains intact, but is tempered by strong elements of synth and dance-pop, like on the gospel-inspired 'Stutter' and the lead single 'Haven't Had Enough'." He however criticized the production calling it, "overtly over the top." Johan Wippsson of Melodic described the album as a "blend of classic symphonic rock like Queen with newer punk pop. He also added, "Smart electronic elements and fantastic arrangements is delivered and gives the album a fresh and modern touch, but in a classic way."

{{Track listing

| headline =

| all_writing = Josh Ramsay

| all_lyrics =

| all_music =

| title1 = Ever After

| length1 = 6:34

| title2 = Haven't Had Enough

| length2 = 3:28

| title3 = By Now

| length3 = 4:14

| title4 = Truth or Dare

| length4 = 3:49

| title5 = Desperate Measures

| length5 = 3:48

| title6 = Porcelain

| length6 = 4:02

| title7 = Fallout

| length7 = 4:14

| title8 = Stutter

| length8 = 3:21

| title9 = Toy Soldiers

| length9 = 4:10

| title10 = B Team

| length10 = 3:12

| title11 = So Soon

| length11 = 5:50

| title12 = No Place Like Home

| length12 = 6:41

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Ever After (deluxe version) [iTunes Only]

| total_length =

| title13 = Haven't Had Enough

| note13 = Prance-a-tron remix

| length13 = 4:50

| title14 = Haven't Had Enough

| note14 = Frederick Miwk mix [extended version]

| length14 = 4:26

| title15 = Haven't Had Enough

| note15 = music video

| length15 = 4:01

| title16 = Making of the Record

| note16 = video

| length16 = 1:44

| title17 = Making of the Haven't Had Enough Video

| note17 = video

| length17 = 6:01

}}

Credits for Ever After adapted from AllMusic.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/ever-after-mw0002253173/credits|title=Ever After - Marianas Trench Credits|website=AllMusic|accessdate=August 4, 2022}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Marianas Trench

• Josh Ramsay – lead vocals, arranger, bass, composer, drums, engineer, guitar, harmonica, mixing, piano, producer, programming
• Matt Webb – guitar, piano, vocals
• Mike Ayley – bass, rhythm bass, vocals
• Ian Casselman – drums, percussion, vocals

;Additional musicians

• Tania Hancheroff – vocals
• Carolynn Hanney – vocals
• Camille Henderson – vocals
• Saffron Henderson – vocals
• Sarah Johns – vocals
• Luren Music – vocals
• Nik Pesut – floor tom
• Miles Ramsay – vocals
• Sara Ramsay – vocals
• John Stamos – lute

{{col-2}}

;Production

• Hal Beckett – conductor
• Zach Blackstone – assistant
• Josh Bowman – assistant
• Scott Enright – A&R
• Ted Jensen – mastering
• Martin Kierszenbaum – A&R
• Roger Monk – engineer
• Eric Mosher – assistant
• Dave Ogilvie – mixing
• Ivan Otis – photography
• Brad Salter – assistant
• Jonathan Simkin – A&R
• Vancouver Film Orchestra – strings

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

{{Certification Table Top}}

{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|title=Ever After|artist=Marianas Trench|relyear=2011|certyear=2025|certmonth=1|refname="MC cert"|accessdate=September 5, 2018}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{reflist}}

{{Marianas Trench}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ever After (Marianas Trench Album)}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:604 Records albums

Category:Marianas Trench (band) albums

Category:2010s concept albums