Starcatcher
by Greta Van Fleet
  • Record Label: Republic
  • Release Date: Jul 21, 2023
Metascore
61

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
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  1. American Songwriter
    Jul 24, 2023
    80
    They’re still unabashedly clicked into late ’60s-early ‘70s bygone rock, and Starcatcher is, indeed, classic Greta Van Fleet.
  2. Classic Rock Magazine
    Jul 21, 2023
    80
    Starcatcher feels like their most consistent and complete record yet. [Aug 2023, p.74]
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  3. Kerrang!
    Jul 20, 2023
    80
    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.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Jul 20, 2023
    70
    So are Greta Van Fleet shameless imitators? Yep. Are they also carrying on a musical tradition that’s now endangered, like the young blues players still adhering to the basics of that genre long after we’ve lost Muddy and B.B.? Yes, that too. For defenders, you best show up with a pretty good broadsword.
  6. Mojo
    Jul 20, 2023
    60
    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]
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  7. AllMusic
    Jul 20, 2023
    50
    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.
  8. Uncut
    Jul 20, 2023
    50
    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]
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  9. Sputnikmusic
    Jul 21, 2023
    20
    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.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2023

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 1 out of 18
  1. Ccbb
    Jul 21, 2023
    10
    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.… Full Review »
  2. Lumki
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    Another remarkable album by the gifted young rockers.
    These guys are masters at creating arrangements and atmospheres, a trait that is the    Another 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    … Full Review »
  3. GrizzleCritic
    Jul 21, 2023
    9
    Critics be damned, this album is awesome!

    Somewhere between Rush and Zeppelin is this.

    Rock on, GVF, rock on!
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