The Lion The Beast The Beat - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals

It's been a big year for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  The red-hot blonde and her band released their fourth studio album, The Lion the Beast the Beat online this week.

They've also been on tour with Kenny Chensey and are continually featured on VH1 as an Artist You Should Know and as a New Artist; Grace wrote a song for the Disney movie "Tangled," and also released a few tracks from Sun Studios that had an infectious and solid Southern flavor.

I was immediately hooked on the energetic, blues-tinged, and danceable songs on this album.  All of the songs seem much more complex, musically and lyrically, than her last eponymous album (which, for the record, I also loved and remains in my current rotation of music).

The title track and first song, The Lion the Beast the Beat serves as an introduction to the album.  The track begins with a powerful solo drumbeat and builds with violins, and of course, Grace.  After she sings "the beat," it's like she pressed the play button - fast-paced guitar riff accompanied by a steady drumbeat and well-placed power chords emulate a rock epic and set up a sound for the rest of the album.

One of my favorite songs on the album is Turntable, a sweetly syncopated groove that deposits a dose of rock and roll energy like it's nobody's business.

Never Go Back, which has its very own music video exclusively featured on VH1 bring a retro sound to undeniably catchy new heights.


Some of my other favorite tracks are The Divide and Lonliest Soul.

If you've "liked" their Facebook page, you can listen to the full album fo' free!  Of course, I'm still buying it the minute it's available on CD format.  It's funny how free music makes you want to buy it, huh?

Pick of the Week: Beyoncé and Friends

Who doesn't love Beyoncé?  Not only does she have killer pipes, but her songs are engaging, powerful, and apparently, lots of fun to cover.  Example A: The internet sensation Pomplamoose covered Single Ladies in 2009.  The result?  Almost seven and a half MILLION views to date.

It was almost no surprise when Grace Potter & the Nocturnals took on Beyoncé's newest hit, Why Don't You Love Me.  It has that sort of sixties psychadelic vibe that the GPN does so well.  Beyoncé and her songwriters deserve a grand hoorah.   Grace did a pared-down version that is more in the spirit of acoustic, bluesy energy than the R&B original.  Both are incredibly addictive.  You've been warned. 

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals announced this morning that they will be hosting a two-day festival at the Waterfront Park in Burlington, VT this August.  They're calling it the Grand Point North.  I see a correlation: GPN, anyone?  Considering my family and I plan our vacations around the Waterfront Music Festival every summer (don't tell Grandma!), we will definitely be there.

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals 8/15/10 @ Waterfront Park, Burlington VT

I just wanted to drop in to note that Grace Potter & the Nocturnals totally rocked on Saturday night in Burlington, VT.  Their performance was part of a weekend concert series that I happened upon while on vacation near Lake Champlain!

The band kicked off the set with my favorite track off their new self-titled album, "Hot Summer Night."  I love this song mostly because it's fun, uptempo, and totally seductive.  Oh, and Grace can belt the sh*t out of it! :)

Another highlight of the show was the soulful ballad "Apologies."  The band drew this one out for maybe eight or ten minutes, but there was never a boring moment.  The tune itself is so catchy but has this melancholy kick to it, and they got really into it this weekend.  Which means?  A total win for us!

"Paris (Ooh La La)" was a particularly high-energy hit with the crowd this weekend.  She danced, we danced, and everyone had a good time.  

I love Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit," and I love it even more when Grace does it.  The Nocturnals dove into it as the second song of a triple encore.  So sweet!

Although I was already tuned into GPN, seeing this weekend's show made me realize how ridiculously talented they are.  And also my ridiculous need to go see more shows. 

Peace, love, and Pokewalkers,

Elizabeth

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals - New Album Release

I thought I would drop in with some quick thoughts on Grace Potter & the Nocturnals' new self-titled album, freshly downloaded on my iTunes (I'm not too quick on the uptake, I know...)

I saw GPN for the first time at the Gathering of the Vibes last summer and was immediately impressed with the fun hardcore rock 'n' roll element to their music.  There's no doubt the songs themselves were well-written, but I suspected that it was Grace's incredible voice and performance that kept the audience engaged.

Now I know I love their sound even in the studio.  'Paris (Ooh La La)' and 'Medicine' have infectious licks that won't escape you for weeks.  

Here's the GPN on Jay Leno doing "Paris" -

In fact, upon re listening to the album a number of times, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't even one flop song on the album.  All of the tracks are interesting and have their own sound.  I especially love rockers "Hot Summer Night" and "Only Love" as well as the chilled-out tune "Oasis."  

After overcoming some initial skepticism about the group's new tunes, I have to give it to them: this album is wholly original while maintaining their trademark spunk and classic rock 'n' roll sound. 


In other words?  It gets the stamp of approval.

I see a tiny light -
Elizabeth

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals Youtube

I just so happened across Grace Potter & the Nocturnal's Youtube page a few minutes ago, and had to post it - these videos are high-quality recordings (sound and video-wise) of live performances.  I'm a Potter fan, and it's nice to have access to a small archive of her stuff quickly and easily.  Plus, who wouldn't want to show the band some love? 

 Count me a subscriber. 

http://www.youtube.com/user/gracepotterofficial

Gathering of the Vibes- Part 3 of 3

Sunday will be brief, but I wanted to mention a few great sets that put the weekend to a nice end.

I arrived at the Vibes on Sunday morning with a smile on my face and a piece of gluten-free bread in my pocket. I caught the last 15 or 20 minutes of The Harlem Gospel Choir, and I honestly wish I had seen more of them. The crowd was quite a sight to see: hippies with dreds stomping their feet and clapping their hands while singing Praise the Lord! During the last number, probably thirty of them held hands and skipped around, forming the biggest random outburst of joy I've ever seen. Very cool.



If they're ever around again (they should be, they're close- only from Harlem!), I will definitely make it a point to go see them. Sometimes your soul needs some good old gospel music.


I had never seen nor heard Grace Potter and the Nocturnals before their afternoon set at the Vibes, but I can say I will be checking them out again. Grace has got such a kick-ass voice, and it seemed to me that she was certainly the star of the show (hence the name of the band?). The Nocturnals provided a platform for her to frolic around stage between her keyboard, guitars (acoustic and electric), tambourine, and the mic. And she was hilarious while doing it! Pretty impressive, if you ask me. I happened to see her parents at the Mad River Valley 4th of July Parade this summer in Vermont. Her dad was playing the keyboard and singing while on a float! Wild. Anyways, the bottom line? She's definitely worth (ahem) checking out.





As for my favorite Green Vibes Stage artist of the day? The McLovins. Yes, the McLovins. And they're as young as their name portrays them to be! Before I go into any of the details, here is the saga of how I discovered them: Once upon a time, I was hanging out by the seashore during the Buddy Guy set, grabbing some dinner. As I was eating, I hear a very familiar tune drifting over to me: You Enjoy Myself, or lovingly referred to as YEM by Phisheads. So I said, "Oh wow, I didn't know someone would have the audacity to blast Phish out of their tent at the Gathering of the Vibes! ...I wonder if it's coming from the Green Stage?" The reply? (and this is ver batim): "No, that's too good a YEM to be coming from there." But how we were sorely mistaken. After dinner we wandered over to the stage to check out the scene, and the McLovins were up there, jamming out! I grooved to the rest of the set (unfortunately we only caught the end of it). The McLovins. Bask in the glory. And that is how they came to be.

These guys are a three-man band, with one guitar, one bass, and one drumset. And get this: the guitarist just got out of middle school! The other two members are highschoolers! These guys are prodigies, and they're going to be big news someday. So as far as that's concerned: I CALLED IT!

That's all for this espionage for now. I am in for a treat tomorrow, Ryan Montbleau is playing a solo acoustic set at the South Norwalk Arts Festival! How coincidental, I live about 20 minutes away. If anyone is looking for some entertainment tomorrow (or should I say today?) afternoon, definitely check out his act. He's playing at 2:30 on one of the stages they have set up (its the one near the Porta Potties!). Simply can't wait.

Chao, dahlings.

Crosby, Stills, and Nash:

Buddy Guy:


The Healing Shaman was walking around all weekend: