Cadence Weapon @ CMW 2007

The Horseshoe Tavern

Toronto, ON

on Mar 9 2007

Matt Littlefair (CHARTattack)

03/10/2007 12:00pm

Background/Composition: It's just Cadence Weapon and DJ Weasel, but you don't needanything else when you've got Weasel's clever beats and Rollie Pemberton's lyrical assault.

Grade: 96

Comment: I don't know if I'll see anthing this weekend that'll top this, and it's probably better that I not think about it. Cadence Weapon's syntactic contortions and Weasel's superb turntable skills made this set one that'll be remembered and talked about for a while.

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: E
Image: E
Appearance: E
Use Of Stage: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Cadence Weapon tookt he sweat factor inside the Horseshoe to a whole new level. The stage rush just prior to his performance foreshadowed nothing of the scene that would break out once he actually hit the stage. Bounding from one end to the other and descending into the audience, Pemberton blew the night wide open, despite a gut full of rotten Pizza Pizza. He took the already good vibes inside the place and plugged them into a 210v circuit. Everyone was moving, even if it was just a head bob here and there, which says a lot for a Toronto crowd.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Cadence Weapon's starkly original and measured manipulation of the spoken word is propelled head long into the crowd on the back of some wonderfully inventive beats courtesy of his indispensible cohort, DJ Weasel. Their timing is impeccable. Cadnece Weapon vacilates in delivery between songs, sometimes opting for sheer speed, then sometimes almost barking, with a ferocity that heightens the impact of his often wry use of the English language.

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: E
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Hyped to all hell, there was a palpable sense that this was the biggest act of the night. It was a lot to live up to, but Cadence Weapon exceeded all expectations. Still, he couldn't have done it without Weasel. The both of them deserve ten times the attention they're getting now. I contemplated bailing on the rest of the Shoe to check out their DJ set at the Drake, but duty beckoned. Hopefully another time.