GRETA VAN FLEET
"Starcatcher" (Lava Music; 2023)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Greta Van Fleet has a new recording and that is a very good thing. The name of this recording is "Starcatcher," and it showcases just what this band is all about. From previous recordings, you know you get a strong rock presence that explodes from the vocals right on to the drums, bass and, of course, guitar.
Brothers Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka, with drummer Daniel Wagner, round out the band. The music is tight, explosive and done with major talent. Combine all that with very cool songwriting ability and great production value, and that makes GVF and "Starcatcher" a must for any rock'ln'roll fan.
When I first listened to "Starcatcher," I admit I was less than impressed. Their previous recordings were so awesome and it's been a couple of years for this release to come out and it really didn't meet my expectations. I know that was unfair so I kept listening and, after the third run-through, I found myself totally on board. I finally recognized what a fucking kick ass recording "Starcatcher" really is.
Young bands like Greta Van Fleet, Mammoth WVH, The Warning and Hannah Wicklund & The Steppin’ Stones (now listening; review coming soon)—just to name a few—are the future of rock'n'roll and, in my opinion, it's in very good hands.
My only negative wish this recoding is its length at only 43 minutes. I want more and I want it now!
For more information, check out
For more information, check out http://www.gretavanfleet.com/. And check out the YouTube video located here to see what the legendary Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin has to say about this band. It's definitely worth the listen.
"The Battle at
Garden's Gate" (Lava Music; 2021)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Greta Van Fleet's "The Battle at Garden’s Gate" is as good rock'n'roll as there is out there today. The average age of the band is 22.5 years, however, they play with so much soul you would think they have been doing for decades. Check out their bio online; it is very interesting.
Josh Kiszka's vocals are a bit Geddy Lee of Rush and Jon Anderson of Yes. The rock'n'roll presentation is flawless with everything on this release: songwriting, musicianship, production, style, heart, guts, charisma and ... (if I could think of any other adjectives to use, I would).
I have been listening to this band since I first saw them on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon a few years ago and I have been eagerly following them since, devouring everything the band puts out. Along comes "The Battle at Garden's Gate" and I was not disappointed! Twelve songs with over an hour of music and each cut is as good or better than the one before.
Greta Van Fleet has everything necessary to deliver killer rock'n'roll music for years to come: youth, talent and looks. They are now on my bucket list for live a performance, whenever that may be.
For more information, check out http://www.gretavanfleet.com/.
"Anthem of the Peaceful Army" (Republic; 2018)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
For some time now there's been a huge buzz a'brewin' for Michigan rockers Greta Van Fleet. They released their debut EP, "Black Smoke Rising," back in April 2017 and there's been a slow burn ever since, with the release of a second EP in October 2017, an acclaimed performance on Jimmy Fallon's show, and winning the Loudwire Best New Artist award. And it all culminates in the the October 2018 release of their full-length CD "Anthem of the Peaceful Army." The only question remaining is was it worth the wait? The good news is that it was. "Anthem of the Peaceful Army" is an album that will be celebrated for its freshness while at the same time being enjoyed for its familiarity. Confused? Well, allow me to explain:
There's a website called The Beatles Never Broke Up. You can find it at (strangely enough) http://thebeatlesneverbrokeup.com/. According to the story there, a hiker was chasing his dog and tripped in a rabbit hole, falling and knocking himself unconcious. When he awoke, he found himself in a stranger's home. The stranger explained that the hiker had somehow fallen into another universe, where travelling between alternate universes is an everyday occurence. They talked for awhile, particularly about a cassette on the stranger's book shelf. It was an album by The Beatles, "Everyday Chemistry," which had been released in the early 2000s. "How is that possible?" the hiker wanted to know. The stranger explained that, in his universe, the Beatles had never broken up, and "Everyday Chemistry" was one of their later albums.
The story goes on, with the hiker eventually stealing the cassette and bringing it back with him to this universe. You can actually download it and listen to it yourself at the website mentioned above. But this review isn't about The Beatles, this review is about Greta Van Fleet, and this is how that weird website ties in.
Because if Led Zeppelin had never broken up, if they were still releasing new albums today, I think that it would be very similar to Greta Van Fleet's "Anthem of the Peaceful Army."
Now, you may not think that with track one, "Age of Man," a mid-paced tune that simply set the stage for what's to come. But by halfway through track two, those Zep influences are flying, everything from the band's bluesy hard-rock sound to lead vocalist Josh Kiszka's high-pitched, Robert Plant-like wail. Throughout the rest of the tracks on this CD, those influences raise their welcome head often. As I said before, "Anthem of the Peaceful Army" sounds a lot like a brand new Led Zeppelin album, if those bandmembers had stayed together (and stayed young).
At this point, I know what you're thinking: "But R. Scott, you said this album would be celebrated for its freshness." And I believe it will. Because although Greta Van Fleet shares a lot in common with the mighty Led Zeppelin, I don't think they're trying to sound like them. I think that their sound just happens to be close to the Zeppelin sound, that the spirit of their music is in tandem with Led Zeppelin's. First of all, there's no "Lord of the Rings" lyrics here (at least that I've found). Second, Greta Van Fleet is young and hungry, something Led Zeppellin most definitely is not.
And, by the way, there are several tunes here that do not invoke the mighty Zeppelin. The aforementioned "Age of Man" and "Brave New World" both come immediately to mind, and both are great tunes ("Brave New World" more so than "Age of Man," if you're asking).
Look, I don't want you to think that I'm saying Greta Van Fleet is a carbon copy band. They are most definitely not. The music you hear on "Anthem of the Peaceful Army" is pure Greta Van Fleet, with their influences worn on their sleeve. Although I've read many other reviews that condemn the band for their similarity to Zeppelin, I don't feel that way at all. Instead, I feel like Greta Van Fleet is a band that's re-captured the magic of rock'n'roll and, seriously, what could be better than that?
For more information, check out http://www.gretavanfleet.com/.
"From the Fires" (Republic;
2017)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Sometimes, when new music hits, it's like being side-swiped by a truck. I was checking out The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon one night and, lo and behold, Greta Van Fleet came on ... and bam! These guys did not look old enough to drink but they were sounding like a seasoned band with years of experience.
In fact, at the time of this wriring, the average age of the band is 21, but the youngest is 19. Three brothers: Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka alogn with their longtime friend Dan Wagner round out this truly talented band.
I try not to compare new and old rock but I can say with strong confidence that Josh Kiszka sounds like a young Robert Plant. That may sound like big shoes to fill, but take a listen for yourself on their CD or on YouTube and see if you don't think the same thing. The music is strong, catchy and heavy--not metal in any sense, but good quality rock'n'roll.
If these guys are as good live as they were on Fallon, any fan of good quality rock'n'roll should check them out. I can say with great certanity that if this band stays healthy and stays together you can except some great music in the coming years. Greta Van Fleet is definitely one band to keep an eye on and we here at Roughedge.com will be doing just that.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
