Karkwa @ CMW 2008

El Mocambo

Toronto, ON

on Mar 6 2008

Matt Littlefair (CHARTattack)

03/07/2008 3:00pm

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: The well-travelled five-piece ensemble put a lot of emphasis on texture and feeling. With a drummer and a percussionist, their sound is dense but carefully structured, so no one part overtakes the whole.

Grade: 84

Comment: Karkwa's thick, reverb drenched songs are as delicate as they are cacophonous. Their music expanded from the stage outwards like the an atom bomb blast crawling over the landscape in slow motion, eventually enveloping everyone and everything within range.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
The unassuming group eschewed most of the current indie-signifiers, with only one measly beard in the whole group, and an abundance of jeans that looked like they actually permitted blood to flow to the lower extremities. Their post-grad garb was bolstered by an energetic and endearing stage show replete with guitars thrust skyward, and deliberate, jam-strewn codas.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Karkwa didn't let problems with a keyboard slow down their epic post-rock offerings. Their heavily nuanced set was met with some generous (and deserved) praise from an ever-growing audience. The band's adept musical abilities made the execution of their intricately constructed songs look about as laboured as a nap on the couch. That ease translated into a striking live performance.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Karkwa have been around for a while now, and their live show bears witness to just one facet of their success. Their compositions are built on a bedrock of pulsating rhythms, punctuated by affecting keys and hard-driven guitar riffs. The band are further evidence of some of the phenomenal music that continues to pour out of Montreal like some uncontrollable torrent.