Customer Reviews

This Is Somewhere

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't know what people expect here, but this is a solid outing from an EVOLVING band. As usual Grace Potter and the Nocturnals deliver the real deal. Whereas the first two discs range from easy listening to folkish/blues material, this disc brings the rock that is so missing in today's corporate driven music scene. Grace opens with "Ah Mary" a political song that doesn't sound so political until towards the end where she makes the comparison from "Ah Mary" to "America". Good production, obviously more written to be one of the singles. "Stop The Bus" is a pure rocker from the get go, with hooks from guitarist Scott Tournet that still gives me chills. She slows down on the next song "Apologies" ,that is more like songs off NBTW and her first effort Original Soul. "Ain't No Time" and "Mr. Columbus" come next and ease us back in Grace-fully to the ramped up rockers. After these two pulse lifting numbers, it's back to the bluesy soul of "Lose Some Time" and "You May See Me" that again populates the majority of the first two releases. For me it's the last four cuts off this release that makes this disc a treat to listen to over and over. "Mastermind", "Here's to the Meantime", "Falling or Flying" and "Big White Gate". I have listened to it at least once a day since it's release, and it's still in heavy rotation. "Mastermind" with it's piano opening, morphs into a power rocking pop number that is relentless. Then they don't let up with "Here's to the Meantime" with it's catchy ryhmes and hooks o' plenty. Once we hit the last two closing songs, the first being "Falling Or Flying", which IMHO is the best song on the disc. Such poignant lyrics from someone who is in her twenties. She even does a little foreshadowing, knowing that a rock bands life has a set time gives one of the greatest lyrics ever; "And this too shall pass, Play each show like it's your last". She just knows that the curtain is going to go down someday and she and the rest of the Nocturnals are going to make the best of every minute they have during their "15 minutes of fame". By the time "Big White Gate" ends the disc, you are taken to a place where one realizes in their life that the choices we have made aren't always the best choices, and repentence, and forgiveness, is asked from all of us. The pleading in Grace's voice for the second chance at the end of days is given with such conviction that you believe every word she's singing.

Again, don't know what people expect out of our favorite bands, but to me it's the evolution process of a band that makes them great, and measures their true talent. Where Grace started out sweet, and innocent with a very pristine falsetto-ish vocal. She now has the tough growl and street credibility that touring non stop will give you. She sings these songs with conviction because she has lived them. Any band can make consecutive albums with the same themes and sounds and sell some discs. To break out of that mold and bring to the table a disc like "This is Somewhere", only goes to show that Grace is a true star, and her band mates give her all that she needs to get her (and them) to the top. I sure hope she hits a home run with this one. She deserves every accolade she gets.

I had been waiting for GP&tN follow up since I stumbled across their brilliant and not overly publicized debut some 9 months ago. 'Nothing But The Water' is simply phenomenal. A pure and raw mix of blues, gospel, folk and soul with a voice that has given me goosbumps like nothing in recent memory.

So I didn't walk, I ran to the local independent record store to grab 'This is Somewhere' the moment it came out. Didn't even bother trying to listen to it first. I knew it would be good.

And it is, but don't look to this for the same acoustic, mellow, laid back, soulfull voice dominated tunes that made the first CD what it was. This is an up tempo-guitar heavy, finely produced, polished edges piece that plays in direct contrast with their previous work. This takes up where 'Joey' (on the NBW) left off. New ground is definately being broken here which is always good. And the tunes are full of passion with some catchy riffs and hard melodies but do not look for songs like 'Nothing But the Water part 2' or 'Ragged Company' (the real standouts for me on their debut) on this outing. Which is quite unfortunate.

I'm sure this will grow on me over the next few listens and I'm not going to criticize a band for going in new directions but first impressions is 'where is the soul that set this band apart from everyone else?' Where is the Hammond organ? Where are the slow tempos? More often than not, Grace's voice exhibits anger with hints of rage at times. It is this volume, almost screaming here and there, along with an overly dominating drum kit that that keeps an innocent, heartfelt and peaceful relaxed demenaor from coming across as beautifully on this endeavor.

Apparently GP&tN were out to rock this time and their producer was going to see to it that they did.

Only time will tell if this will still be in my rotation a year from now. I can assure you Nothing But The Water will be in there forever.

And I know you guys are reading this... COME TO CHARLOTTE ALREADY!

I just bought the CD after hearing track 2 - "Stop the Bus" live on a radio broadcast. The album is full of energy and continues their growing collection of awesome albums.

First time writing an Amazon.com review, but I just saw the show last night in Burlington, VT and it was pretty amazing. Its a pretty cool feeling to have a hometown band with people you know perform as incredibly as GPTN. Scott is a really talented guitarist and scorer, and Grace is obviously as multitalented a performer as any I'm familiar with.

As someone else wrote, there is a clear evolution from the soulful Nothing But The Water to the new music. I like them both, and I think most of Grace's fans and all the soon-to-be fans will as well. Listen for Grace music as the theme song for Grey's Anatomy this year.

I'm not a music critic, so I can't identify all the components of what makes music or a group of musicians really great - but like the Supreme Court, I know it when I see it, and these folks are it. Special credit to Brian Dondero, for being a talented bassist with a low profile. He's a musician and a teacher and an all around good guy.

Like fine wine, this Vermont-based group just keeps getting better & better with every album that they release. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals do the type of rock music that classic rock bands used to do, before that dreaded instrument called the synthesizer turned all that great stuff into lameo, dead-sounding tech pop (ZZ Top, are you listening?) This band is, definately, going places! You'll get your money's worth when you buy this album!

From the start of the CD with "Ah Mary", a song about America you understand what kind of band GPN are. A hard work, heavy hitting, powerhouse band that is here to take over!! And they do on this CD and in their live shows. GPN are a fresh note to today's music world, yet they bring in an air of 1960's to their game. If you have not purchased this CD yet, DO IT!!!
"Stop the Bus" is a speaker busting power song that shows how hard the band can hit.
"Apologies" shows Grace's softer side.
And "Falling or Flying" truly shows Grace's range.
Once again, do yourself a favor, buy the CD and buy a ticket to their next show!

Grace Potter has been carving out a very nice place in the singer/songwriter blues/rock/jam scene, and with her band The Nocturnals she has become a staple on many music festivals (more on that later).

"This Is Something" (2007 release; 11 tracks; 49 min.) is a great second album of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals after their 2006 debut album "Nothing But the Water". The album kicks off great with "Ah Mary" (which was released as a single), and "Stop the Bus" follows it with equal rocking-socking sounds. The bests tracks of the album are stacked in the first half, with a beautiful ballad "Apologies", the immediately catchy "Mr. Columbus" (another single candidate) and the pensive "You May See Me". The second half of the album falters a bit, but still contains a couple of great sons such as "Mastermind" and the closer "Big White Gate".

In all, this is quite an engaging album. Hard to believe that Grace is still only 25 yrs. old as she sounds a lot more mature than that. I had the good fortune of seeing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals last weekend at Bonnaroo and they put on a tremendous set that was very well received by the huge crowd. Can't wait to see where this band will go next (a new album should be arriving not too long from now, I think).

For anyone who has not heard or seen Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, you are missing a great band. This is Somewhere is a great choice to start off your collection. Grace's vocals and her artistry are second to none and her band is just as good. The only thing better than the album is seeing them at a live preformance.

Maybe I expected a bit too much in retrospect. The buzz about how Grace Potter and the Nocturnals were tearing it up during their live shows piqued my interest and seeing their pretty cool cover of "White Rabbit" motivated me to check out this CD.

I find this CD tilted to the light rock side, more radio-friendly than I expected, and, alas, just too smooth and slick. There are a handful of songs I'll revisit from time to time, but there is just too much vibrant, energetic music out there for me to give glowing marks to "This Is Somewhere."

grace potter and the nocturnal is awesome band. The album definitely rocks big time.