Mother Mother @ CMW 2007

The Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Mar 9 2007

Matt Littlefair (CHARTattack)

03/10/2007 12:30pm

Background/Composition: Two girls and three guys unleash a unique and mind altering indie popconcoction whose addictive qualities would rival most opiates.

Grade: 93

Comment: Drawing on innumerable styles, with an unhinged exhuberance Mother Mother tore the roof clean off the Horseshoe.

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: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: G
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Dresses for the ladies, a least one beard and one angular indie rock haircut, indie status had in fact been confirmed. Even though Mother Mother had the stage at 8 p.m., the Shoe was already filling up nicely. Most everyone moved toward the front, and dancing, shouting and fist-pumping fun ensued. The commotion on stage rang out clearly and aggressively. The band made the most of their short set time and shimmied about, playing their instruments like they wanted to bury them in the ground after the show.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: While the music is loud and frantic, the chaos of each song is finitely measured. You end up with a sound that twists even the most hardened of psyches into the most enjoyable and confounding knots. One of the band's more formidable instruments may be the vocal interplay between Ryan Guldemond, Molly Guldemond and Debra-Jean Creelman, which careens about with a controlled recklessness, effortlessly slinking in and out of the group's frequent time signature changes. It's aching, unique and energetic all at the same time.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Mother Mother's stage act is practised and confident, translating a challenging record into a genius live show and making it look absolutely effortless in the process. Big things lie ahead for these west coasters.