Amy Millan @ NXNE 2006

Hometown: Toronto, ON

Background/Composition: After an underwhelming stripped-down performance at Reverb the night before, Stars frontwoman Amy Millan called out a menacing posse to give her new country-tinged solo album justice.

Grade: 76

Comment: Backed by Paso Mino, Dan and Jenny Whitely and enough other friends to fuck anyone up should a fight break out, Amy Millan delivered a high-energy, fun show.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations:
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us sohard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' rollstandard.
60-69:Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' rollstandard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limitedway.
00-50: Hasnot demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: E
Pronounciation: E
Stage Presence: G
Stage Banter: E
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Millan was a real charmer, telling stories and jokes and periodically kissing her band's collective ass. Plus, she got all teary-eyed when telling the crowd that her high school English teacher was present. Precious.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: G
Sound: E
Composition: G
Songs: G
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  The band were really tight and Millan's new songs sounded great. Granted, the encore jamming was a little sloppy, but hey, you try to orchestrate a banjo, a mandolin, a bass, 15 drum sets, 37 guitars, a choir of eunuchs and a triangle.

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: E
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: S
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: G
Level Of Inebriation: S
Actual Ability: E
Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:  Watching an Arts & Crafts show can be like watching one of those star-studded Grammy collaborations. Yeah, it's exciting to see 50 Cent and Kenny Rogers sharing a mic on that very special version of "All You Need Is Love," but come on, two's a party, 74 is a crowd. Still, you couldn't help but feel all warm and fuzzy watching Millan and her friends jamming and smiling and hugging and doing all that other hippie shit.