Hexes & Ohs @ CMW 2009

Background/ Composition:
Hexes & Ohs are Edmund Lam and Heidi Donnelly: high school sweethearts-turned-electro-pop duo. They could use a drummer, but maybe that would make for a strange menage a trois.

Grade: 83

Comment:
Lam and Donnelly had a bigger sound than you'd expect from two people and recorded drum tracks. He plays guitar and she plays bass and keyboards. They rocked more and were less electronic live than on CD.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
There wasn't a lot of movement and crowd interaction was pretty minimal, though Lam admitted that he's a Michael Jackson fan in a "non-ironic way."

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Hexes & Ohs call their music bedroom disco and it was kind of sexy and danceable, so it was an apt description of their well-written songs. Donnelly was impressive doing double-duty on bass and keyboards and Lam was fine on guitar. He briefly went behind the drum kit, too, which was cool.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
Both Lam and Donnelly were dressed in black. She had pointed shoes. He wore a bowtie on his shirt underneath a sweater. They interacted well, as you'd expect from a couple. While I found their new album enjoyable, they surpassed my expectations with their performance. I'd see them again.