Simply put, this is a thinking person’s pop music that doesn’t break any new ground, but is so infectious that it doesn’t need to. As a unit, Peal cites U2 and Toad the Wet Sprocket as a short list of influences. The depth of their songwriting is evident as a marriage between Wilsbach’s lyrical prowess, which can be likened to Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) or Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), and guitarist Jeff Libey’s influences, which are inspired by the blues but take their cue from players like Ryan Newell (Sister Hazel) and Michael Gurley (Dada) “I do concentrate a lot on lyrics and try to convey real emotion,” says Wilsbach. “Ultimately I just want to connect with people, and I think that happens.” The sonic textures and songwriting flavors that brought the band together are all evident in Peal’s debut album, Beautiful Baby Elephant, which was produced by Ed Toth (Vertical Horizon) and is due for release in the fall of 2005. Peal was formed in 2003 when two bands that were touring the Midwest were in the process of splitting up. Wilsbach was fronting pop/rock outfit Paging Raymond, while Libey along with bassist Andy Wincek were in a band called X-Ray Roger Jimmy. Fate brought the two bands together one night when they were both performing at separate events on the Ball State University campus (ironically a touring gig for both bands), and the idea to create some new music together was a rejuvenation for all four members that resulted in the formation of Peal. The staying power of straight-ahead pop/rock that is driven by melody is evident with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Paul Westerberg. Armed with eleven new songs that redefine the term “radio-friendly,” Peal is ready to take that musical torch and run with it as they set to tour the Midwest and beyond.