The Battle at Garden's Gate
by Greta Van Fleet
  • Record Label: EMI
  • Release Date: Apr 16, 2021
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 89 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 89
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 89
  3. Negative: 11 out of 89
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  1. DrBlahBlah
    May 16, 2021
    0
    unbearable pastiche of far greater bands which should really sue them for copyright infringement - and for assaulting their ear drums...
  2. Neuromusic
    Jan 4, 2022
    3
    Only just got around to listening to this album after almost a year and whilst this is by no means the worst album I've ever heard, it is weak. It leaves GVF in the same position as they were in their previous release in my opinion, as lacking a clear artistic identity whilst failing to bring anything new or interesting to the table.

    In an attempt to seemingly distance themselves from    Only just got around to listening to this album after almost a year and whilst this is by no means the worst album I've ever heard, it is weak. It leaves GVF in the same position as they were in their previous release in my opinion, as lacking a clear artistic identity whilst failing to bring anything new or interesting to the table.

    In an attempt to seemingly distance themselves from the inevitable Led Zeppelin comparisons, the vocalist seemingly tries to introduce more varied vocal techniques compared to previous releases, such as falsetto, to get himself away from the whole Robert Plant thing. Unfortunately, it isn't well performed and just results in some pretty terrible screeching that I really do find difficult to listen to. What really sums up this album as a whole for me is the final track 'The Weight of Dreams', which feels something like a 'Stairway to Heaven' pastiche culminating in a sloppy guitar solo which the producer has tried to cover up with some questionable compression and panning decisions as it goes from average to downright poor.

    Overall, there is average songwriting, less than convincing performances and pretty poor production (the levels of compression on this thing border on being obnoxious at times and suck out whatever life their may have been to start with that would've made underwhelming performances more forgivable). At best, GVF might be competent enough musicians to satisfy a desire for a classic blues rock sound in the modern sphere, but with forgettable lyrics, unimaginative songwriting, poor production and sloppy musicianship at times (which I didn't really feel with their previous album even though I wasn't a fan of that either), I do not think this album is a good one.

    With the scope of recording, production and studio possibilities that are available to GVF to diversify their sound and hopefully find a unique voice, I really hope their next album is more interesting and more well-executed.    … Expand
  3. msteck
    Aug 31, 2022
    3
    Weak, stale, boring, and poorly mixed. I'm not sure who this was made for, but it definitely doesn't sound good.

Awards & Rankings

43
#43 Most Discussed Album of 2021

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 1 out of 16
  1. Kerrang!
    Apr 19, 2021
    80
    Greta Van Fleet aren’t offering anything innovative or original, and much of their appeal surely comes from listeners’ appetite for simpler times of players plugging in and rocking out which will never truly be rekindled. Hand yourself over to a psychedelic song of praise like Trip The Light Fantastic, though, or fall into The Weight Of Dreams’ fathomless nine minutes, and this legitimately might be the next best thing.
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  2. Sputnikmusic
    Apr 19, 2021
    80
    Greta Van Fleet has taken full advantage of their moment. They've cleaned up the mistakes of their first album, fleshed out their atmospheres into some truly lush and breathtaking territories, doubled down on their heavy rock edge, and crafted something that is far better than it has any right to be. Bask in it without feeling any shame.
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  3. The Observer (UK)
    Apr 19, 2021
    60
    They are at their best on their more epic material, particularly Broken Bells and eight-minute closer The Weight of Dreams, which moves up through the gears from an acoustic intro to a brilliantly overblown Jake Kiszka guitar solo. Elsewhere, however, the material is more pedestrian, and the quieter moments don’t always sit well with Josh’s vocals (default, indeed, only setting: a histrionic screech).
    Read full review
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