Cityzen, Underhill Vortex, and V Child

Artist: Cityzen
Song: Restless
Heard by: Beau Goldner, North Park
I liked it right off the bat. It sounded pretty good. It kind of reminded me of an ’80s or early-’90s style of rock…maybe even like Danzig. I was mostly listening to the music, but I kind of got the gist of what he was saying. They definitely have talent. It was catchy. I liked the guitar. I’d probably be surfing to that song — some type of activity. The song kind of had a sad side to it but also an upbeat side. It’s hard to describe. I could hear that song at the end credits of a movie.

Artist: Underhill Vortex
Song: Still Life (from their self-titled CD)
Heard by: Victor Villa, El Cajon
It was pretty bad. It sounded kind of like Social Distortion but not in a good way. It was pretty much as if the singer, Mike [Ness], had been on a bad bender and decided to write that song. It kind of dragged out and was monotonous. It went on and on, and the whole time you’re just waiting for it to be over. Honestly, I don’t remember any of the lyrics; it’s just not that memorable of a song, especially considering I just heard it a few minutes ago.

Artist: V Child
Song: The Day After
Heard by: Will Martin, Austin, TX
It was all right. I’m a fan of indie music, and to me this isn’t anything special. No offense — it’s just not my genre. It has the sound of “manufactured rock.” It really isn’t groundbreaking whatsoever. I’d say they have a little bit of an influence from Black Sabbath and definitely ’90s grunge but more like Nickelback, Creed, or Puddle of Mudd. It’s kind of homogenized as far as its sound; there’s nothing really unique or special about it. You could put that track in the middle of ten others like it and not be able to discern any difference.