With a nod to the classic rock that inspired them, Greta Van Fleet continue to contort those great influences in challenging and evocative new directions.
Fate Of The faithful is ostensibly No Quarter, Meeting The Master is Thank You, and The Falling Sky cribs a Robert Plant-style harp solo so perfectly that GVF can likely taste his spit. Be in no doubt, however, that frontman Josh Kiszka's Olympian wail can part the waves of cynicism and make the scales fall from your eyes. [Sep 2023, p.88]
He may be able to capture the sound of a band playing in a room but in this case, it feels like the room is a rehearsal studio, with the band stuck playing rough drafts at maximum volume. A bit of tightening and a bit of polish would've gone a long way here.
Even a recreation of the harmonica sound from "When The Levee Breaks" on "The Falling Sky" and the same song's famous cavernous beat on "Sacred The Thread" can't help either song stick in the memory. [Sep 2023, p.27]
It’s a record so entrenched in referencing other music that it ceases to be artistic expression, and is entirely separated from expression as a concept, floating in its own sterility. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board for whichever craven startup CEO cooked this one up in the experience machine; you won’t be able to unplug fast enough.
Be careful, the Metacritic algorithm is scraping from the internet only the average to negative reviews, leaving out the stellar ones. Lots ofBe careful, the Metacritic algorithm is scraping from the internet only the average to negative reviews, leaving out the stellar ones. Lots of 9/10 reviews have been published by way more authoritative sources than Mojo (and when I say Mojo my eyes are rolling, although you can’t see it). As per this user, what can I say about Greta Van Fleet’s Starcatcher? They are branching out to cover a different sonic territory with each new album, proving they can do most anything. No one compares to them at the moment. Any Led Zep contrived narrative for this 2023 album would be just the proof that the reviewer has not done much music listening in their lifetime. Much more psychedelic than Led Zep, this albums reminds more of non Anglo-Saxon European prog bands. Songwriting goes from good to amazing throughout. A stellar achievement for GVF, once again, that will be timeless.…Expand
Wow those critics are so incredibly clever aren’t they! they have spent the whole night desperately finding a drumbeat or any noise at allWow those critics are so incredibly clever aren’t they! they have spent the whole night desperately finding a drumbeat or any noise at all that reminds them of led zeppelin to justify their short sighted reviews for GVF. We actually listened to it…and it’s brilliant…in fact it gets better with each listen as you realise how much talent care and love for rock music went into each song. Bands have been taking and building from each other since music began. The Stones and the Beatles released cover albums before writing their own stuff. GVF remain a beacon of light amongst the durge of over produced synth rubbish that fills the airwaves. Meeting the Master is a Masterpiece, Sacred the Thread is awesome and Waited all your life too.. in fact my favorite track keeps changing which is the sign of a great album. Well done lads…and i also love the fact that the lyrics sound completely stoned! exactly what we all need in these times.…Expand
Another remarkable album by the gifted young rockers. These guys are masters at creating arrangements and atmospheres, a trait that is theAnother remarkable album by the gifted young rockers. These guys are masters at creating arrangements and atmospheres, a trait that is the real unsung hero of the whole GVF brand. The Archer is possibly one of the most beautiful songs ever, dwarfing some of the finest euro prog songs.
Regarding “critics”, I noticed that YoyoMancuso, the author of the Sputnik review (who, for the record, plays in 2023 in an atrociously bad “circa 2001 MTV” emo band, words could not suffice here) he bragged when his bad review hit the Metacritic. I always find it fascinating how untalented middle aged “musicians” are affected by the talent of this young rock band. (And no, I’m not old, I am in my 30s).
Also I am not sure why Sputnik makes it to the Metacritic and other publications don’t, so for completeness these are the other Starcatcher ratings:
Blues Rock Review 9/10 Distorted Sound Magazine 9/10 Ghost Cult Magazine 9/10 Rock N Load Mag 9/10 Blabbermouth 8.5/10 American songwriter 4/5 Entertainment focus 4/5 Xs Noise 4/5 Hot Press 7/10 Riff Magazine 7/10 Chorus FM Highly Reccomended Metal Talk gives no rating but only praises to Starcatcher…Expand
Starcatcher has many bluesy songs with interesting lyrics and top vocal and guitar performances. Drums and bass and keys also rock and theStarcatcher has many bluesy songs with interesting lyrics and top vocal and guitar performances. Drums and bass and keys also rock and the band members perform so well together. Highlights for me include “The Archer”, “Waited All Your Life” and “Meeting the Master” but there isn’t a bad song on here. I took 1 point off because I felt that the producer, Dave Cobb, liked effects a touch too much. But these songs still sound awesome and will be even better live.…Expand
I seriously can't understand who employs these so called "critics" these days. but it's just sad to see how out of touch they are with realI seriously can't understand who employs these so called "critics" these days. but it's just sad to see how out of touch they are with real people. Is this album perfect? No. But it's better than 90% of the crap being published today. Personally, I think it can be a bit loud and hard to follow on some tracks (Looking at you Runaway Blues! There's a good song in there, but the producer failed them on this one). However, the more I listen to the album, the more I absolutely love it. I'm a fan of all of the Singles they released, but farewell for now is pretty forgettable. Of the new tracks from the full Release, "The Indigo Streak" and "The Archer" are standout tracks. I also really enjoy "Frozen Light", which gives me hints of Black Sabbath. I guess the thing that really bugs me with the critics, is they only see a band that sounds like Led Zeppelin. Which yeah, they definitely do. But GVF is so much more than a mere imitation. These guys Rock! They are incredibly talented as individual musicians, but even better as a band. I don't see how sounding similar to the greatest Rock band of all time is a bad thing. The people who say they're just imitating Zeppelin clearly hasn't seen them perform, and it's just a lazy take. do better critics!…Expand
For their third album, they push the boundaries of their musical dynamism, and I'm happy to hear them exploring themselves, even if this comesFor their third album, they push the boundaries of their musical dynamism, and I'm happy to hear them exploring themselves, even if this comes a little messy. The strength and perfection of Josh Kiszka's voice is undeniable, and is the thing that surpasses expectations on this album. Yet, I'm sure the complete band will see better days in the way they explore a genre that they are both empowering and making more accessible. What I can guarantee of their music is this always awesome and well appreciated sense of grand epicness. Long life.…Expand
Is the air out yet?
In the beginning, they were enthusiastic with fresh music and were hyped in the media until they waved off. Now a fewIs the air out yet?
In the beginning, they were enthusiastic with fresh music and were hyped in the media until they waved off. Now a few years have gone by and Greta Van Fleet deliver more and more loose songs. No one can really inspire on this album anymore. They are in the generic and insignificant phase of their band history.…Expand
