Pas Chic Chic @ CMW 2009

Toronto, ON

El Mocambo

Aisha Khan (CHARTattack)

03/13/2009 1:19pm

Background/Composition:
This Montreal fivesome offer trippy '60s French pop quoting Brian Eno, Pink Floyd and T-Rex as influences. The lineup includes guitarist Radwan Moumneh, drummer Eric Fillion, bassist Eric Gingras, keyboardist Marie-Douce and singer/guitarist Roger Tellier-Craig, a member of the legendary Godspeed! You Black Emperor and founding member of Fly Pan Am.

Grade: 73

Comment:
Overall it was a very earnest, sincere, matter-of-fact performance. The psychedelia is hard to pick out, but the '60s French pop shines through and through. Simple melodies are tied together with organ ambience and unpretentious 4/4 percussion.

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: S
Pronunciation: S
Stage Presence: S
Stage Banter: S
Image: S
Appearance: S
Use Of Stage: S

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
There was no over-the-top behavior, just very sincere concentration on their instruments. They were almost a little shy with no stage banter, but that could be chalked up to the language barrier. Mild head-banging did take place on the bassist's part, but not much else. However, when Tellier-Craig finally put his keyboards aside, he did break into an amusing version of the Mike Stipe shuffle.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
There are undeniable musical chops right here. Very proficient percussion, with liberal use of ubber French pop organs. Marie-Douce's delicate and pristine vocals were the biggest '60s throwback. No virtuoso solos, this band are more about the progressive swell of a well-rounded sound. The El Mocambo’s acoustics could not do them justice.

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

Strengths/Weaknesses/Next Step:
No real "look" to speak of here, the band looked like a bunch of kids who dressed "business-casual" for the label reps not really knowing what the term means. Their grade is bell-curved, however, because it was too cold out to be fashionable.