People In Planes @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: People In Plans are an over-sized, two-singer Welsh band that play straight-up American radio rock.

Grade: 65

Comment: People In Planes couldn't have been a bigger letdown following Monotonix. Over the past few years, Wind-Up have sunk so much money into promoting these guys, and yet they're still playing venues like the Reverb and not headlining the Air Canada Centre, which I'm sure Wind-Up was confident would happen by now. I consider that a win for good taste.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
I feel confident giving these guys good grades for oral and visual communication, because it's the one thing at which they excel. When a band are on the road full-time, it's nearly impossible for them to be terrible on a technical or showmanship level. People In Planes were tight and appealing to watch, just not to listen to.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
In the world of music, singers find their voice and go with it. People In Planes have two singers. One sounds like Live's Ed Kowalczyk, the other sounds like Scott Stapp. Musically, they sound like a mix between The Cooper Temple Clause and Kasabian, watered down to the point of being excruciating. They're not as bad as, say, Oliver Black, but that's truly the highest compliment I can pay.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
People In Planes know how to play their instruments and there are people who enjoy this music. In fact, plenty of them were in attendance. But fans of this band are a dying breed, as evidenced by the fact that People In Planes won't likely ever make it to the next level because of their sound. They're not even very visually appealing. The lead singer is a good looking enough guy, but the rest of the group look like '90s alt.rock cast-offs. I know I'm being harsh, but they almost ruined what was an otherwise very entertaining night at Reverb. What a tremendous scheduling error.