| November 2007Nothing gives
music reviewers more pleasure than to see a local band make good. Grace Potter and the
Nocturnals, hailing from my former hometown of Waitsfield, Vermont, has hit the big time
with This is Somewhere. While local fans will be a bit surprised (or
disappointed) that the blues/rock sound of the band's initial album has given way to more
of a pure-rock sound, they should revel in the maturity of musicians who have been honing
their skills on the road until the time when they could produce a record that would offer
so much to so many. From pop singles like "Mr. Columbus" and "Ah Mary"
to the ballads "Apologies" and "Falling or Flying" through the
blues/gospel belter "Big White Gates," Potter, on guitar and Hammond B3, and the
Nocturnals, on guitar, bass and drums, have covered the bases musically -- and that bodes
well for their continued growth and acceptance.
While this recording doesn’t have the same
live-in-the-woods sound as the locally recorded first album, it doesn’t need to run
and stick its head in the sand either. Sure, it has a bit of that big-city studio sound --
compression, a flat soundstage, and less-than-distinct instrumental separation -- but it
makes up for these shortcomings with good tonal quality and Potter’s vocals, which
sound vivid. This album is sure to please and excite rock fans everywhere who have for far
too long been spoon-fed the same old stuff in different packaging. Grace Potter and the
Nocturnals are a welcome breath of fresh air and prove that if you look hard enough talent
is still out there awaiting discovery.
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Grace Potter and the
Nocturnals - This Is Somewhere
