Laura Barrett @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Toronto's kalimba queen — and one of the few Paper Bag bands on the Paper Bag bill — plays twee, sweet indie pop songs that don't pack much punch, but sound nice enough.

Grade: 79

Comment: I know a lot of people who don't really like Barrett, so I was pleasantly surprised to really like her music. Too bad I couldn't hear it for most of her set. She got buried under a noisy Drake crowd.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
"Not my place," Barrett joked after one song, while most of the audience bellowed. She was right. The kalimba might work well in a gallery, library or church, but it was barely audible in this tiny club. Her voice was, though, and it carried through the room even if her instrumentation didn't. But I have to dock points for sitting down. Maybe I don't know the instrument to well, but maybe Barrett could fashion herself a stand so she could play it on her feet.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
This is one of the few acts I've seen during CMW who couldn't overcome a significant problem. Perhaps the kalimba was on full volume at the sound board, perhaps not. But Barrett could have at least asked for it to be turned up. I think maybe she's just too nice. The songs lacked the fuller instrumentation that some of them have on her upcoming disc, which often left them hanging in the air. On the plus side, I liked Barrett's melodies and voice, and her command of the kalimba was phenomenal (I wish I could have seen it, but unless you were standing at the front, there was no way).

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step: 
It's probably worth mentioning that Barrett's trademark glasses make her look like an elementary school librarian. It's a peculiar image. This set would have killed in a room where the audience was pin-drop silent. I like that Barrett knows how to banter with the crowd, but it says something about her presence that they refused to pay her any attention. Aside from the stage issues, her Paper Bag debut could be great.