Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
Self-Titled
Hollywood Records
By: Nevra Azerkan
Rating:
If you have not heard of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals by now then I am more than happy to enlighten you. Named one of the “Best New Bands of 2010” by Rolling Stone, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are making a name for themselves.
Everyone likes to compare an artist to another, but with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals there isn’t any other artist that you can compare them to with justification. Sure maybe a little Led Zeppelin here and some Janis Joplin there, but to have a female fronted band with classic rock vibes, pop roots and some blues thrown in, it’s practically unheard of. You might be trying to name some bands in your head right now, but after giving this album a listen you will take them all back, I promise.
Listening to GPN is almost like being transported back to Woodstock, where you just want to let go and be enveloped by the music (Incidentally, they did record a few songs for the documentary, Woodstock: Then and Now). For those of you turned off by the hippie scene, I can assure you that GPN are much more than that. While that is their foundation, they have superseded that sound and have made it their own.
“Paris”, “Medicine” and “Only Love” are three dynamic rock tracks that stand out on the album. Potter’s strong and electrifying vocals along with the aggressive and hypnotizing guitar riffs will have you wanting to experience their musical masterpiece live. If those tracks do not get you swaying, then you have absolutely no soul.
GPN mixes up their sound with some reggae with “Goodbye Kiss” and even some country in “Things I Never Needed” and “Colors”. Another notable song is “Oasis”, which gives old school Santana flashbacks. Their first single, “Tiny Light” is a ball of fury: soothing at first and then an explosion of fierce funk rock. Their self-titled debut is produced by Mark Batson (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, Dave Matthews Band), who also co-wrote six of the 13 songs with Potter.
The album has a fine balance of sassy songs and passionate ballads. If you are looking for a new band that is primarily influenced by 60s and 70s classic rock, but with an edge, you cannot do better than Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.
For more information on Grace Potter and the Nocturnals visit their official website here or you can have a quick listen here.
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