Album Review: Greta Van Fleet - ‘Starcatcher’
With the highly anticipated release of their third studio album, Greta Van Fleet return with perhaps their best work yet.
‘Starcatcher’ is dripping with rock n roll attitude, with a perfectly curated 10 track duration, brothers Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka and life long pal Danny Wagner furiously bounce back with a more cinematic edge.
Opening track ‘Fate Of The Faithful’ evokes an image of a bluesy dive bar in the 70’s, with lead singer Josh’s angelic echoey vocals and powerful drum fills. The song then builds into a mighty chorus that blows the doors off, an enticing invitation to experience the rest of the record.
Next up is ‘Waited All Of Your Life’ a more acoustic, sombre track that gives a desert-noir feel to the record which is echoed in other tracks on the record like ‘The Archer’. The song especially showcases youngest brother Sam’s dirty tone bassline that pulsates immensely throughout, most notably on the bridge, adding a real depth to the track.
It’s around this point that ‘Starcatcher’ starts to sound more conceptual, like the listener is following a story told masterfully by the band, following a character on a journey to becoming their true being - and it's magical.
‘The Falling Sky’ and single ‘Sacred The Thread’ create a mystical edge to the record with a magical layer of strings that elevate the track to new heights, adding another layer of strength that is nothing short of spectacular.
It’s track 6 and we’ve hit the halfway mark, ‘Runaway Blues’ is a short and sweet rock-n-roller, only clocking in at just over one minute. It’s a real headbanging treat that came about after the band returned for dinner and decided to have a jam session, and acts as an interval in the album; or rather a welcoming to the second half of the record with Greta Van Fleet urging the listener to carry on. With the band highlighting the importance of quality not quantity.
‘The Archer’ goes back to the desert-noir vibe demonstrated earlier on, and ‘Frozen Light’s sleazy guitar tears through the song's philosophical lyrics ferociously. The tail end of ‘Starcatcher’ ups the ante through musical storytelling and unapologetic gravitas, along with some sparky guitar solos thrown in for good measure.
The penultimate track ‘Meeting The Master’, the first single released from the album, is more of a slow-burn ballad, which builds into a beautiful melody of spiritual transcendence. With lead singer Josh serenading the listener through his characters journey so far, a tale of believer and teacher. Despite the song's slower and more sentimental feel, ‘Meeting The Master’ has the ability to be a modern day ‘Stairway To Heaven’; with its layers of vocals and intriguing melody.
‘Farewell For Now’ is the final track, a sublime sounding song that talks directly to the listener and thanks them for constant love and devotion. The tune is backed up by wonderful, wandering guitars and thumping drums - a true delight for the ears and a perfect way to end Greta Van Fleet’s most ambitious album to date.
‘Starcatcher’ will most likely be remembered as the bands best work in the future, and will pave the way for many more aspiring musicians, and act as an incredible influence I’m sure. Catch them on their upcoming tour that will run until early December, as well as performing with rock legends Metallic next September in Mexico City - solidifying Greta Van Fleet as modern rock pioneers.
Words by George Usher
