Sunparlour Players @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: This Toronto trio play what I could only describe as alt.bluegrass. They're sort of like Elliott Brood, but with the kind of sweaty heat that could burn down a small rock club.

Grade: 89

Comment: If The Acorn had it tough following Plants & Animals, Sunparlour Players had it even tougher following both of them. What was even tougher was that they were a replacement for a cancelled-at-the-last-minute set from the Constantines (get well, Steve). With all that in mind, their firebrand sound was the perfect soundtrack to the Horseshoe's well-boozed 1 a.m. audience.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
Frontman Andrew Penner had a Joe Cocker intensity about him. Two songs into the set, his eyes were rolling up into his head and his face was entirely red. The group's suits complemented their boozy, ragged sound. Penner wasn't a banter king, but it's hard to talk when you're trying to stave off a brain aneurysm during every song. Oddly, I can only give the group a G on stage presence, despite Penner's best efforts. You see, it's hard to fully endorse any group that sits down on stage. I just don't feel like you're fully givin' 'er if you're givin' 'er from a chair.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
This was perhaps the one set where people were actually inspired to clap along without prompting from the band. Their songs were delightfully ramshackle and entertaining. And I'm not even remotely a bluegrass fan. There was enough rock in each tune to keep everyone's attention from drifting, and Penner's slow build to insanity on every track ensured his shrill upper-register vocals didn't grate too much.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Why don't Sunparlour Players get more than 89, you wonder? It's impossible to say definitively, so I'll let one Chart staffer explain: "See, I like this. But it's 70 per cent awesome and 30 per cent I don't even know." He's absolutely right. There's just something a little off about the group. Not all the songs click. Maybe it's all a little too samey. They're a great party band and exactly what you want to hear when you're drunk off your ass at 1:30 in the morning. But I can't imagine them making it to the next level and attaining any level of stardom. Then again, I'm not sure they care. Sunparlour Players could be a Canadian club favourite for decades to come.