Hot Springs @ NXNE 2006

Silver Dollar

Toronto, ON

on Jun 9 2006

Cameron Gordon (CHARTattack)

06/10/2006 11:00am

Hometown: Montreal,PQ

Background/Composition: Boasting slightly warped pop sensibilities and strong fashion sense, Hot Springs are a fun band to watch that don't demand too much on the part of the listener. Playing an exceedingly straight forward strand of indie rock that recalls a less arty Yeah Yeah Yeahs, this band is extremely good at bopping up and down, smiling a lot, cracking jokes and making on lookers smile.

Grade: 79

Comment: Instantly likeable and accessible to all, Hot Springs aimed to please and did a damn fine job there in. There was no pretense of high art or craftsmanship, as the band opted instead to focus on the medium, not the message. It's a refreshing change of pace, especially when you consider that a majority of recent Montreal acts have tended to aim for the highbrow. Hopefully, Hot Springs help buck this trend, and soon.

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
Pronounciation: S
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: E
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  Hot Springs were plagued by some poorly mixed vocals, burying singer Giselle Webber deep into the mix and causing a bit of guitar overload at times. It was a technical issue rather than one of prowess, and the band still delivered an entertaining show by putting their hook collection on display and reeling in the audience members with their good-natured take on indierock.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: G
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: G
Audience Participation: G
Sound: S
Composition: G
Songs: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  Make no mistake, Giselle Webber is the foca lpoint of this band. A natural performer with a certain art school charm, she writhed and contorted like a tumbler-in-training, bumping into bandmates and the odd patron along the way. Even when the music started to coast a bit mid-set, Webber and friends kept spirits high by making mid-tempo numbers a lot more punchy then they had any right to be.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: E
Nods To Disposible Fashion: E
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:  The bass player for Hot Springs has some impressively sculpted calves that seem to have been chiseled out of granite. His half-length shorts displayed his "treasures" and they were actually a distraction for parts of the performance. The NXNE anti-doping committee might request a sample of his urine, as it's unlikely that this is a mere product of Mother Nature.