Nothing But the Water (2005)

About this title: While the 22-year-old Grace Potter's vocal influences are obvious -- Bonnies Raitt and Bramlett, Susan Tedeschi, and Lucinda Williams -- it's what she does with her voice that is most impressive. This sophomore indie album gets all the parts right. Even though the band is from Vermont, there is no denying the Southern blues, gospel and swamp rock that course through its veins. Potter's songs, all co-written with her group, grind through a combination of the Band, J.J. Cale (who she namechecks on the opening "Toothbrush and My Table"), Taj Mahal, and Tift Merritt. Although it is self-recorded, ... read more

Tracks:

1. Toothbrush and My Table [Potter/Burr]
2. Some Kind of Ride [Potter]
3. Ragged Company [Potter]
4. Left Behind [Potter/Dondero/Burr]
5. Treat Me Right [Potter/Dondero/Burr]
6. Sweet Hands [Potter]
7. Joey [Potter/Dondero/Burr]
8. 2:22 [Potter/Tournet]
9. All But One [Potter]
10. Below the Beams [Potter/Dondero/Burr]
11. Nothing But the Water (I) [Potter]
12. Nothing But the Water (II) [Potter]

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is further described below.