This Is Somewhere

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!

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.