Jay Pea @ CMW 2007

Background/Composition: Jay Pea strummed out his indie folk tunes on an acoustic guitar, backedby a competent drummer and guitarist/bassist to flesh out the sound.

Grade: 71

Comment: Carefully craftedand muted indie folk tunes that are pleasant enough, butsaddled with the distinct impression that what's filling your ears nowis something that's filled 'em up before.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Jay Pea and his bandtook the stage a little late with only a handful of bodies in Sneak's, hequickly introduced himself and that was pretty much the end of his stage banter. Choosing instead to stand like a mannequin carefully posed in some store window, Jay Pea let the music do the talking for him, which is fine enough I guess, but not the most endearing or interesting way to tackle a show.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: Jay Pea plays fairly subdued indie folk that in a live setting comes off as a darker, less happy-go-lucky version of Jack Johnson. There's a relaxed vibe tothe music with soft, brushed, barely-there drums and the lack of bass on all but a handful of tracks made for a sometimes too lean treble-heavy outing. Jay Pea's soft lilting vocals sounded pained more often than not,like a bruised and jilted lover meekly asking for his stuff backafter a particularly acrimonious break-up.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: I got thefelling that even on the few occasions where Jay Pea gave the old volume knob a clockwise twist, that the band were holding something back. Not to say he needs to bound around the stage like a maniac —the music wouldn't suit that — but for this kind of music to work there'sgot to be a less tenuous connection with the audience, with that, Jay Pea should excel in the genre.