Dearly Beloved @ CMW 2006

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition: Fronted by ex-Change Of Heart Rob Higgins, this is punkish, shouty pop noir with a binary of female backup vocalists and... what's this? Recently departed Danko Jones drummer Damon Richardson, wielding an axe.

Grade: 79

Comment: This band woefully exposes my scenester ignorance. I mean, I know it's fronted by Rush bassist Geddy Lee's nephew Higgins (also of Rocket Science, Triston Psionic, and the aforementioned COF) and I recognize Richardson. The throng of others who came and left with Dearly Beloved reinforce there were probably other people among the sextet on stage I should've recognized, but alas. Of course, none of the name-checking matters when you really get to the music. All that's important is (a) they've got a good sound and (b) I now have a slight crush on one of the backup singers.

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: E
Pronounciation: G
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: G
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  It may have been the sound system, it may have been the alcohol, but some of the songs slurred along (lyrically and musically). Still, there's something to be said for the kinetic energy the group brought to the venue. Higgins yelp has a nice way of segueing into a shout.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: G
Work Habits: G
Organization: G
Audience Participation: E
Sound: G
Composition: G
Songs: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  When you have six people shoved on the small Cameron stage, you're all but asking someone to come out into the grand or to literally grab an audience member for attention. The Dearly Beloved did not disappoint. Crowd was very into them, but they also left immediately after them — audience participation doesn't mean quite as much when you're importing fans rather than winning new ones over.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: E
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  More so than any other group at the Cameron this night, Dearly Beloved LOOKED like a band. All in mostly black garb (save for the red-bedecked percussionist). Level of inebriation was also pretty down, as the band opened with a salute to whiskey. The slight debauchery may have hurt or helped the performance. I'm not sure.