A Californian Song and New Grunge

Artist: The Paddle Boat

Song: “A Little Time” (from myspace.com/thepaddleboat)

Heard By: Michael Dunford, Mission Hills

I thought it was good. I think it’s a very appropriate song. What I mean by that is the time; it’s the beginning of summer [so] it would be a perfect song to [listen to and] sit on the beach. I felt like it was a Californian song. I really enjoyed it. I’d listen to them again. I’d say it was down-tempo rock. It seemed like there was hand-based percussion as well as electric six string, and there was bass in there, too, with some sort of electronic modulation. Definitely over the summer I think there’s going to be airplay for that kind of material. People will be at the beach, and I think that’s the kind of music they will want to hear.

Artist: FM Revolver

Song: “Amundsen” (from the CD Leaving Madeira)

Heard By: Stephanie Rae, North Park

It was louder than my tastes lean toward. There was a lot of angst. It’s not what I would generally listen to, but they came across well. It was very professional. It seemed clean. It kind of reminds of new “grunge.” It reminded me of Creed or Lifehouse — those kinds of bands. What did he say in the lyrics? “Everything is more beautiful than I am”? C’mon. I think that could have been said a little less blunt. It was a little self-deprecating. There was some yelling, but it was sing-songy — he could carry a tune. I think it was well put together. It seems like in San Diego there’s a big following for that P.O.D. style. It’s not my cup of tea.

Artist: Embalmers

Song: “Zombie Surf” (from myspace.com/embalmers)

Heard By: Esteban del Rio, Linda Vista

I thought it was actually really strong, in terms of the chord progression, and fun. It’s kind of a novelty song. I think it was pretty solid surf guitar. The ghoulish voice at first was annoying, and then I realized that the song was about ghouls. I think it would be really fun to see at a show, but I don’t know if I would listen to it at home on my living-room system. It reminded me of Madness. They reminded me a little bit of Deadbolt, too. I was thinking of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” in terms of the visuals I was getting inside my head. I think that definitely it could get airplay around Halloween.