There’s something sorta obvious about using Christopher Columbus as a metaphor for pushing your life into new and exciting directions, despite that however, this song never comes off as hokey. It’s got fantastic guit work, a nice tight structure and Grace sings this as if she means every single word. That sultry voice and the twang in the opening verse and the way the song just explodes in the chorus and pulls itself back in for verse two. If more songs were like this one, the world would be a much more enjoyable place. It always impresses me when performers can take the basic strictures of song writing and craft something listenable, hummable, toe-tappin’ and not have it sound like anything resembling Michael McDonald or adult alternative.
By James Furbush | November 19th, 2007 | 1:08 pm PST
I suppose we’d also be on the road with her band The Nocturnals, which is infinitely more enjoyable, I suspect, than being on the road with a drunken Jack Kerouac, a stoned Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassidy on speed.
Mostly that’s due to Grace Potter being the new walking embodiment of sex appeal. Yup, that was the sound of her tossing Jenny Lewis off the cliff. Also, it should be noted that I have a chance with her since she could be single but she is most definitely legally blind. Anyway, I digress.
I was searching for some info on Grace Potter and the Nocturnals because it’s high time I featured them for the Song of the Day. Lo and behold, however, the group has gone out of their way to post seven tour videos for your viewing pleasure through their own film company, Nocturnica Pictures.
Each episode features concert footage and the band goofing around on the tour bus, etc. The first episode came out at the end of October and the second episode is out now, numbers 3-7 will be debuting in the future. The following is the first episode for viewing pleasure.
Grace Potter and the Nocturnal’s have had a meteoric rise, being largely unknowns not more than a few years ago, playing the clubs of hometown Burlington, VT and Boston. Now, they’ve been everywhere out promoting their latest album This is Somewhere from Jay Leno, Craig Ferguson and Good Morning America. It got a gonzo good review in The Boston Globe, and deservedly so, if it’s anything like Potter’s stellar live performances or her last album Nothing But the Water.
Don’t let Potter’s sexiness fool you into thinking she can’t rock both the guitar and organ harder than most dudes. This is straight rock and roll, a direct line from the blues and gospel, the kind of rock equally fit for a barroom, an open road, a party, or an arena. She brings the noise fast, loud and fun all in a husky, yet sexy set of pipes.
This is Somewhere is out now from Hollywood Records.
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