The Weather Station @ CMW 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: ?The Weather Station are a five-piece of multi-instrumentalists who tackle drums, bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle and more in pursuit of a haunting, almost gothic, bluegrass/country/folk sound.

Grade: 75

Comment: The Weather Station seem like a band who still have some growing to do. They’re still a little shaky on stage, still a little unsure of their sound. The band are extremely talented and full of potential, though, so it should be exciting to watch them mature over the next few years and develop their unique sound. If all goes well, they could very easily be Canada's answer to all of the bands on the Searching For The Wrong-Eyed Jesus soundtrack.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Plagued by tuning issues, singer Tamara Lindeman spent a great deal of the set nervously apologizing for delays. It was all very amiable and non-offensive, but it would be nice to see a woman with such skill and such a powerful voice be a little more in command between songs.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
The band could stand to add more of their louder, faster songs into their set. While their haunting slow numbers — led by Lindeman’s powerful Cat Power-meets-Feist vocals — are very pretty, The Weather Station’s strongest moments on stage were the all-to-brief, raucous bursts of furious playing and three-part harmony. An increase in such incredible songs would certainly make for an even more engaging performance.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
A minor sartorial qualm: while the rest of the band seemed appropriately gussied up for their northern gothic sound, the bass player showed up in a ratty old t-shirt. While this is a superficial problem, and not something that stands in the way of The Weather Station realizing all of their potential,  it did distract from the united front the band otherwise displayed.