'Grace Potter & the Nocturnals' might turn out to be the band's defining work, a fact the group recognized by titling the album after themselves. In the era Potter and her Nocturnals pattern their work after, this album would signal the deep maturity and understanding of a band with twice as much age and experience. It's no less than astonishing that these sounds are emanating from a band on their fourth trip to the studio.  

When Ramseur Records released Samantha Crain's EP, 'The Confiscation,' two years ago, it was a debut only in the loosest sense of the word, as Crain had already self-released a fairly voluminous series of demos before signing with the label. The young Oklahoman (and full blood Choctaw) sings and writes with the emotional authority that one would expect from someone who shares roots with Woody Guthrie.  

This week's posting might be a little lighter than weeks previous, and there's no vinyl reporting this week either. I just didn't feel the joy of rooting through the shelves this week. But let's take a quick look at new CDs from Samantha Crain, A Camp, Paleface, Tim Easton, Los Straitjackets and Heaven & Hell.