Grace Potter & The Nocturnals – Four Stars
There are simply not enough chicks in rock n’ roll. Correction, there are not enough talented chicks in rock n’ roll. More specifically, there are not enough talented chicks in rock n’ roll that despite their pretty little faces look like they could kick some serious ass, and have the musical goods to prove it.
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
The self-titled album Grace Potter & The Nocturnals was released in June of 2010, launching the group past festival scene recognition into the eyes of the world. Along with Potter come the talents of bassist Catherine Popper (Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Hem) lead guitarist Scott Tournet, and drummer Matt Burr.
Mark Batson, known for his work with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Dave Matthews Band, produced the record. “Bluesy pop” has been the most consistent label for the album, although that profile is limiting. Classic rock, folk, and reggae influences are found, such as “Goodbye Kiss,” a melancholy, reggae-laced sweet goodbye tune, an honest ode to a breakup.
“Paris” and “Medicine” pack the most heat, the two tracks Potter says are the most fun to perform.
“When I wrote ‘Paris,’ I was listening to the Kinks nonstop, and I was going for something with a big, primal riff, like ‘You Really Got Me,’ says Potter. “It was the first time I ever really just said, ‘I’m not going to try to tell a story, and I’m not going to try to communicate an emotion. I’m just going to say, basically, “I want to have sex right now.”’
Onstage, Potter is ignited with sexual energy. She flirts with the audience, moans in pleasure, and
Grace Potter
knows how to shake what her mama gave her, all while tearing apart the keyboard. The gift of natural good looks enhances her sex appeal, but there’s more to it than that. It’s her raw talent that makes Potter so powerfully attractive. That talent and energy has elevated Potter to the ranks of respected musicians (comparisons have been made to Bonnie Raitt and Tina Turner), not just another pretty singer-songwriter surfacing long enough to get a single played on “Gossip Girl.”
The group has been criticized for going too mainstream with Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, abandoning their signature soulful country grooves for “glam pop rock.” Some of the tracks, such as “Only Love,” may cause music snobs to turn up their noses at the stereotypical lyrics, however Potter’s powerful voice adds enough soul that the track seems touching, rather than cliché.
While earlier performances and recordings by Grace Potter & the Nocturnals may hail more character, Grace Potter & The Nocturnals is the groups’ first cohesive album, a beautiful melding of musical styles and emotions, talent lasting from start to finish. With the production of Mark Batson, it’s bound to sound cleaner and more “mainstream” than previous recordings. Potter’s artistic abilities and powerful charisma weren’t lost in the process, proving that the group is worthy to take the next step into stardom, packing enough soul to deflect a sell-out.
Watch the video for “Paris” (Ooh La La)
