Still Life Still @ CMW 2011

Background/Composition:
This Toronto quintet have been around since 1999 (!) and released their Girls Come Too debut album in 2009. They’ve been working on songs for its follow-up.

Grade: 74

Comment:
You weren’t alone if “Hey, this song sounds just like Broken Social Scene” went through your head more than once during their set. That’s been noted to death, but sorry, it’s not going to stop here.

Achievement of Rock ‘n’ Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock ‘n’ roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock ‘n’ roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronunciation: G
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: S
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
To Still Life Still’s credit, their tunes get people dancing. A particularly enthusiastic young man who didn’t look a day over 19 sporting a Diamond Rings haircut went apeshit throughout their entire set, to the simultaneous delight and annoyance of everyone around him, including a bunch of photographers with media passes hanging around their necks.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: N/A
Teamwork: G
Work Habits: G
Organization: G
Audience Participation: G
Sound: G
Composition: G
Songs: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Still Life Still need to do much more to differentiate themselves from Broken Social Scene. They’ve even got the Brendan Canning/Kevin Drew thing going on with Brandon Saarinen and Eric Young. One of their new songs featured extensive use of keyboards, and it was really damn good, which might hint at a different future direction.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: G
Problem Solving: N/A
Teamwork: G
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
I’ve never seen a keyboard set-up like Josh Romaniuk’s. It’s almost criminal Still Life Still don’t make his playing more prominent in their songs.

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