Vermonter.com

If Grace Potter and the Nocturnals were all revved up and ready to go on their 2006 debut, “Nothing But the Water,” they’ve busted out of the blocks on the follow-up, “This Is Somewhere.”

“New audiences are discovering what Vermonters have known for a while: this band is going places. Just three or four years ago, they were performing small gigs, maybe for two dozen fans. They batted away record deals until they got one that was just right, and now can sell thousands of seats.” WCAX TV

“What distinguishes Vermont’s Grace Potter from the recent run of the female singer-songwriter mill is her affinity for anthems and a powerhouse band that can deliver the goods. Though quieter fare such as “You May See Me” and “Lose Some Time” finds one foot in folk music, her heart is plainly with hard-charging rockers such as the opening “Ah Mary,” the melodic propulsion of “Ain’t No Time,” and the supercharged kick of “Mastermind.” Ballads such as “Apologies” and “Falling or Flying” show her soulful side, while the sexually assertive road song “Stop the Bus” provides further indication of her range. The closing “Big White Gate” sounds like a gospel cousin of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery.” –Don McLeese Amazon.com

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will headline the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival on the Burlington waterfront this weekend. Their show is Sunday night, and tickets are available through Higher Ground.