The Ghost Is Dancing @ NXNE 2007

Background/Composition: Uh oh, it's another one of those bands that you can label a conglomeration. Thankfully, the "let's see how many people we can get on stage" philosophy seems to work in this city. Their website once detailed their involvement in an intricate time travel plot in which they formed in 2009 and returned to the present to provide us with albums. Accordingly, expectations are high.

Grade: 95

Comment: You've got to be brave to have an accordion in your band. Like The Ghost Is Dancing, it's probably the one instrument that can delicately straddle the line between hip and ridiculous. I suppose it's right in line with the violin player who looks like one of the Hell's Angels.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Anyone in The Ghost Is Dancing who isn't playing an instrument raises their arms and dances until it's their turn to play again. It's weird, but the crowd loves it and joins in. There may not be a happier band on the planet.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: They're excited, they're exciting and they incite passive frenzies. TGID are more team-oriented than ever and have cleaned up most of the sloppiness that existed in their previous live performances. It's unfortunate that their stage show will always trump anything they could put to disc.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: They dress like goofy hipsters, but there's not really another look that would work with their music. The clothing highlight of the night was claimed by the drummer, who showed up in a hat that screamed Joey Jeremiah.