Said The Whale @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Said The Whale recently won a 2007 CBC Radio 3 Bucky award for Best New Band Name and it just may pave the way to making sentence-fragment monikers cool again. They've been called Canada's answer to The Shins, but are they good enough to avoid becoming a Shins knock-off?

Grade: 82

Comment: To add to the "You know it's going to be a good show when..." list: When the band hauls out a rack full of guitars.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Said The Whale seemed a very cordial bunch and frequently encouraged handclapping. There was minimal banter, but that could be attributed to the time constraints. They lost the crowd a bit near the end of their set when they played a few slow songs in row, but they finished big. 

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
The Shins comparisons aren't completely accurate (in a live setting, at least). Said The Whale, overall, are decidedly more rock and roll. Three of the band members contributed to lead vocal duties, so the fivesome's tone tended to vary from song to song.

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: E
Cool Equipment: E
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Said The Whale definitely have the indie rock wardrobe under control and were sporting band shirts and a classic Batman tee. They seem like they have the potential to be a wild bunch of guys, so it was a little disappointing they weren't more intoxicated.