Mothers Fathers @ CMW 2009

Rancho Relaxo

Toronto, ON

on Mar 13 2009

Erik Missio (CHARTattack)

03/14/2009 11:41am

Background / Composition:
This Montreal pop-rock quintet with widescreen gravitas includes overly tall singer/guitarist Marcus Paquin, drummer Liam O'Neal (ex-Young Galaxy), bassist Peter X, guitarist/pedal steel Joe Grass and viola player Marika Shaw (who played on Arcade Fire's Neon Bible and has toured with Win et al).

Grade: 81

Comment:
Going on at 9 p.m. can be tough when you're largely an unknown commodity and the house is still half-empty, but Mothers Fathers were blessed with an attentive audience, which they gratefully acknowledged a few times. The band, whose debut LP will be coming out later this year, probably won't remain anonymous for long, as they're very polished. The music lands right in that blurry grey area between hipster-blog-approved and just-about-ready-for-the-mainstream. They wouldn't sound out of place on FM radio in between Coldplay and John Mayer.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Aside from repeated thank yous, there wasn't much in the way of stage chatter. Eye contact from Paquin was minimal, but he seemed more endearingly shy than above it all. Regardless, it was fun watching Peter X rock out and Shaw exudes a certain vibrancy and charisma. And she's, y'know, pretty and stuff.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
You know that band, The Fray? They're the ones with all those songs in Grey's Anatomy and various other hour-long TV shows about how to save a life. Well, in a just and fair world, Mothers Fathers would totally supplant those guys. The band's songs have that same sort of dramatic bent to them, with relationship-y lyrics and a musical background that sounds like it was calculated to be heard best in a stadium. (This is a good thing.) However, Mothers Fathers also have range and a little more playfulness. The band's tight, but being a little looser might actually be a good thing to inject a little more vitality and urgency. Still, the barbed viola hook of "Caught In Your Glow" and the harmonizing on "Ghosts" are more than worthy of your time.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
The band dressed like the audience. This is neither good nor tremendously bad, just an observation. Well, OK, maybe it's a bit of a dig, but they were certainly no better or worse than the other acts over the course of the night. Besides, they all look like very nice, approachable people. Bonus points for the lap steel, viola and the frontman wearing his CMW pass like it was a lucky charm. Mothers Fathers don't need luck, though.