Black Diamond Bay @ CMW 2009

Rancho Relaxo

Toronto, ON

on Mar 13 2009

Erik Missio (CHARTattack)

03/14/2009 12:26pm

Background / Composition:
This four-piece from Montreal is led by ex-Dears guitarist Patrick Krief. Andre Bendahan plays bass, Roberto Piccioni is on keys and George Donoso III (another former Dear) brings up the back. He's of the best rock drummers in this country, and he secretly plays with Jack White, Damon Albarn, and Dave Sitek in this awesome band I have in my head. But after a performance like last night's, Krief might be joining him...

Grade: 91

Comment:
Whenever people attempt their specious-at-best claims that The Dears sound too much like Blur or The Smiths, any plausibility completely falls apart once you shift your focus from the singing to the music. Live, the most recently deceased line-up of The Dears were a killer band that brought the hard rock more than most so-called hard rock bands. This sound continues in Black Diamond Bay. If the British music that influenced their old band was the '90s Brit-pop explosion, Black Diamond Bay finds inspiration from an earlier U.K. invasion, instead. It semi-sounds like post-Beatles John Lennon, fronting a blistering progressive blues-rock band that occasionnally dips into '70s power balladry. With solos.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Donoso is a blindingly fast master of controlled chaos. Krief is a guitar virtuoso, whose solos have accurately been referred to as "face-melting." When combined with Bendahan's unshy bass lines and Piccioni's key textures, the result is a band that makes beautiful, brainy, unapologetic rock 'n' roll. At the same time, this is no-frills music. There's no real stage banter or shout-outs or political rants or direct locked gazes with the audience. Or, really, much acknowledgement.

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:
There were some audio problems (which were more distracting for the band than the audience), but the set was tight and well-received. But then came the last song, when Krief hopped off the stage with his Fender Stratocaster and proceeded to absolutely destroy a solo (approaching John Coltrane free jazz levels of intensity) while walking through, and occasionally leaning on, the audience... and it just felt like you were, all of a sudden, part of a "moment."

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
They get bonus points for Donoso's Mark Bolan shirt. The sexiness ranking was slightly affected by the eyes-shut grimaces Krief makes during solos — facial contortions worthy of BeautifulAgony.com.