Melissa McClelland @ NXNE 2007

Background/Composition: Toronto's dark and enchanting country songstress was joined by husband Luke Doucet on guitar and a drummer who played nothing more than a single snare for most of the performance.

Grade: 88

Comment: McClelland and her bandmates wowed the audience with a dramatic set of dark country tunes. Though they were reduced to a three-piece on account of their bassist's prior plans. The resulting sparseness was actually well-suited to McClelland's songs.

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: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Not surprisingly, McClelland's hauntingly beautiful voice made the performance, but it was Doucet's cowboy get-up and crouching sharpshooter stances that entertained the most. They were the perfect accompaniment to his spaghetti Western guitar leads.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: McClelland showed through her dramatic tunes that she's much more than your average singer-songwriter. Doucet's guitar work was simply awesome, punctuating McClelland's eerie country tunes with violent distorted jabs here and crisp, reverb-drenched blues lines there.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: McClelland is way more bad-ass than her pretty polka dot dress and classy look would lead you to believe. It was tough to resist her charms when she swayed for the crowd in her high heels and belted out tales about selling cigarettes to minors and scoring cocaine.