Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream

Those of you that have been reading CSV for a while know of my fondness (note: shout out to Henry) for Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, and you might imagine my excitement when I first opened up the sophomore release This is Somewhere from the bluesy-folk-rock quartet. To be frank, I wasn’t completely blown away by the first listen, which was quite a surprise to me. The album has everything that would give it that punch: Grace Potter’s incredible vocals (!!!), a band that can rock it out but also tone it down, and and an awesome album cover. Okay, maybe the last one doesn’t mean anything, but all these factors started to seep in on subsequent listens.

The album certainly begins strongly with “Ah Mary”, a more Sunday-rock track that really illustrates the band at a level of comfortableness (not complacency!). Leading into “Stop The Bus”, a piano-guitar-harmonica-heavy ditty that has Potter’s voice fluctuating from high intensity to a soft gentleness. My personal favorites are the less-produced Kelly Clarkson-like “Mr. Columbus” and the horn-enhanced “Mastermind” that explodes into an incredibly delightful chorus.

Grab yourself a copy of This is Somewhere.
Listen to “Mr. Columbus” (4.7/5)
Listen to “Mastermind” (4.6/5)

I don’t have too much time for a post today, but I wanted to be sure to tell ye faithful readers about another one of my favorite blues-gospel-folk combos Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. Actually from Boston, this band has all the makings to be a real Southern folk powerhouse. High charged belts (and some good looks) from the lead singer, Grace Potter, and some serious grooving on the part of “The Nocturnals”, the debut album Nothing But The Water is sure to please. If you remember my posts about Ollabelle and The Duhks, well GPTN is certainly along those same lines but perhaps with some more rock influence. I can see GPTN playing to bigger crowds, appealing to wider audiences and playing more elaborate arrangements.
Be sure to listen to “Nothing But The Water (II)” and “Some Kind of Ride”. Oh, and go buy Nothing But The Water. You’ll be glad you did.

Listen to “Nothing But the Water (II)” (4.8/5)
Listen to “Some Kind Of Ride” (4.6/5)