Shiloh @ CMW 2009

El Mocambo

Toronto, ON

on Mar 13 2009

Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

03/14/2009 11:54am

Background / Composition:
This 15-year-old pop-punk singer sounds like Avril Lavigne, but unlike Napanee, Ont.'s most famous former resident, she's actually kind of punk.

Grade: 68

Comment:
Shiloh recently signed with Universal and will release her debut album in May. There's absolutely nothing innovative or different about her, and she borrows way too much from Lavigne, but there's a good chance 13-year-olds everywhere will love "Goodbye, You Suck."

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Shiloh drew the largest crowd on Friday night, and though it's clear she's got quite the PR team behind her and most of those people appeared to be industry insiders, she's clearly worked to hone her stage presence and live show. She made good use of the stage and engaged the audience throughout her set. Quite a good chunk of the crowd didn't realize she was 15, because when she brought that up, there was a significant murmur in the air. She shows great potential despite her young age, even if her songs do leave a lot to be desired.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Shiloh's backing band are a bunch of skilled musicians and she knows how to perform. But with songs like "Goodbye, You Suck" and other material in which she lambastes those around her for trying to make her conform or change her image, she's not likely to appeal to anyone older than 16 years of age. That said, when I was 15, I probably would have wrote songs about that, too, and let's not forget how much disposable income teenagers have.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Shiloh took the stage wearing a black and red striped shirt, which matched her dyed black and red hair. She was wearing a gothy black skirt overtop of that and her image sits somewhere in the female goth-punk category. REAL goths will probably chide her off as a poser, but at least she appeals to 15-year-olds with a little bit more edge than the demographic Lavigne used to cater to.