Grace Potter and the Nocturnals revive the best of rock and roll

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      Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
      Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (Universal)

      We’re a little concerned about the state of Grace Potter’s eternal soul. There’s simply no explanation for her amazing voice other than some sort of contract with the underworld. It’s either that, or Potter is the reincarnation of Janis Joplin, which really doesn’t seem that far fetched when we think about it.

      On the band’s most recent full-length album—the plainly named Grace Potter and the Nocturnals—the Vermont-based singer screeches and wails better than anyone currently on the scene, pulling out otherworldly howls that channel the best of Patti Smith and Joan Jett. It’s absolutely inspiring to hear a vocalist so unafraid to be completely raw.

      Beginning with the blues-rock number, “Paris (Ooh la la)”, Potter and her Nocturnals set a heavy, highly funkified tone that permeates the majority of the album. The anthemic “Medicine” is similarly intense, anchored by a driving tom beat and the talents of bassist Catherine Popper, a former member of Ryan Adams’ The Cardinals. Popper’s playing style isn’t particularly flashy, but it’s rock solid (and really, isn’t the best bass playing usually invisible to the casual listener?).

      Not content to be pigeon-holed into a particular style, Potter and the Nocturnals explore other genres throughout the album. “Goodbye Kiss” mixes country rock influences with a reggae bass groove, and “One Short Night” harkens back to the Police’s Synchronicity era with its New Wave-ish guitar licks.

      Not every offering is a slamdunk, however. The slower songs tend to drag more than necessary, killing the party groove set by the rest of the album. For example, Colors” is a tender, heartfelt ballad but, after the aural shitkicking from songs like “Hot Summer Night”, it’s just a little dull.

      Fuck the scensters and their synth pop; Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are bringing a musical revival that we can finally get behind.

      Download This: “Medicine”

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