Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Ah Mary [album: Ah Mary]

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
by Kyle Halligan, 88.7FM WNHU

Be blown away! Based solely on her astounding good lucks or quirky electronic guitar you might group her in with any number of leading musical ladies, but this woman is a complete individual. Grace Potter and her supporting Nocturnals are in a league all their own; performing astounding feats of energetic beauty on stage, and their record This is Somewhere is no exception.

GPN has come a long way from homegrown recordings and from the start of this album, "Ah Mary" belts soulful lyrics wrapped in a rocking package. Listen to every word and the lyrics can be as deep to fall into as any of the beats and rhythms in the song. But if the lead off track doesn't move you, then "Stop the Bus" builds to a strong crescendo as the lyrics state 'turn the radio up high and grab the first guitar you see.' The songs are unified only because they're all good, and the styles alternate from the soft "Big White Gate" to melodic "Ain't No Time" and hard supporting rifts of "Mastermind." However, the true character of the band shines through when they strum up an audience with a song like "Here's to the Meantime."

On stage, Grace and the Nocturnals explode with excitement, a bit of gusto calmed by aplomb and tons of pure musical talent. Grace with her always present smile and her self-described "amazingly good looking men" make an audience bop, gyrate and dance unlike any group in a long time. As a displaced Vermonter I can proudly state the band is a product of Waitsfield, VT. Being based on the Vermont family land, which also goes by the alias 'Potterville,' their music could be described as a continuation of the previous bands that have marched their style towards national prominence from up north. But truly, Grace's vocals could reach the shattering highs of local Jen Durkin or bravado of a foreign Joss Stone and then some.

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals display their greatest flair in their grand live shows with displays of, for lack of a synonym, grace and finesse. And certainly the shows don't neglect to have a good portion of powerful raw jamming elegance to their now extensive repertoire of songs new and old. The band makes consistent appearances in the New Haven area for an amazing experience every time; to get more info and dates check out www.gracepotter.com.