Greta Van Fleet proves rock n' roll is still very much alive with 'Starcatcher'
Greta Van Fleet has entered a new era following the recent release of their album Starcatcher. After wrapping up their tour earlier in the year, at the last show they announced the album, a curtain falling over the stage reading “Starcatcher”.
The four piece band consisting of Josh Kiszka (vocals), Jake Kiszka (guitar), Sam Kiszka (bass), and Danny Wagner (drums) comes from a small town in Michigan and they have now played worldwide headlining tours, topped charts, and won a Grammy in just six years. Now they share with you their third studio album Starcatcher.
The ten track album is grand and fierce, packed full of killer vocals, gnarly drums, jaw dropping guitar riffs, and thumping bass. Starcatcher embodies a mythical, Tolkien vibe, it could easily be used in the soundtrack for Lord Of The Rings.
Prior to the release of the album, Greta Van Fleet stated with Starcatcher, they were “going back to their roots”, which is true for the album yet it’s still completely unique compared to anything they’ve ever done.
Opening with the first track ‘Fate of the Faithful’, it holds a dark and psychedelic sound. The chorus is striking and emphasized by the drums yet the verses are eerie. The vocals are progressive and electrifying in the chorus with the lyrics “We fought for the fable, ah / But instead we burn”, paired with the dramatic emphasis of the instrumental.
‘Waited All Your Life’ is carried by an acoustic guitar and stunning vocals, a nice contrast from the other songs on the album. “You’ve been on your way / Please stay / Don’t go away’, Josh begs, heavy with emotion in the chorus.
For the third track the tempo is amped up. ‘The Falling Sky’ is the definition of “in your face rock n’ roll” plus there’s a harmonica solo. Everything about the track is crisp and exhilarating.
One of the most prominent tracks on the album is ‘Sacred The Thread’. The lyrics move you through Josh singing about his jumpsuits but it’s more than that. “To dress up a wound / heal a scar”, is a significant line. Kiszka sings of being comfortable with who he is on stage being dressed up in intricate jumpsuits, stitched with elaborate designs and his face decorated with stunning makeup. Danny accentuates the drums in the chorus, giving the lyrics a more powerful impact.
Photos: Blake Crandall
‘Runway Blues’ acts as an interlude almost and is the last track on the A side of the vinyl. The full song was cut short because Josh said he wasn’t really into the way it sounded, yet it’s a fan favorite.
‘The Indigo Streak’ immediately captures your attention with flawless harmonies and a stellar instrumental. A gong can be heard as well before the chorus begins, “Into the ether / Ready for the garden / Into it deeper / Even heavens hearken”.
‘Frozen Light’ begins with Danny giving a count up to four, then Jake jumps in with a badass guitar riff. Sam powers through on the bass as well. Josh’s vocals flow like honey mesmerizing the listener.
Here is where the Tolkien vibes really come into play. The eighth track ‘The Archer’ is vicious and noble, it stays true to the storytelling theme that was present in the last album. The song depicts the story of an archer, fighting until he dies, Josh sings “My home is on the horse I ride / What emptiness without my bride / such heaviness inside / This was the day the archer died”. The way Josh projects his vocals in the song adds a sizable effect and matches perfectly with Jake’s guitar.
‘Meeting The Master’ perfectly fulfills the fierce yet dreamy vibe, beginning with an acoustic guitar and the keys, the instrumental and vocals gradually building to be dramatic and powerful, Josh belts out “And I’m taken by the madness / And the tripping and the touching”.
‘Farewell For Now’ is the perfect song to close the album, and in a way is an ode to the fans. Greta Van Fleet always shows appreciation to their fans and the lyrics in ‘Farewell For Now’ prove the point. ‘Farewell For Now’ follows up another song called ‘My Way Soon’ on the previous album. ‘And I wish we all could stay / But I bid you a farewell / And it means the world to play / But I bid you a farewell’, they must say goodbye after a show and move on to the next stop but they thank you for coming and hope you join them again.
On the day Starcatcher was released Josh took to the band’s Instagram to share a bit about the album. “Starcatcher is a dangerous and delightful expedition into a both violent and gentle dreamlike landscape. A purgatory of duality where brutality and beauty clash like a thunderstorm of stillness. Neither fact nor fiction inhabit the far reaches of this surrealist world. A storybook of the fighters and lovers alike Starcatcher captures a certain wonder on the fringe of mayhem.”
Clocking in at only forty three minutes, Starcatcher is complex and carefully sculpted to perfection. It’s an album that can capture anyone’s attention. You can catch Greta Van Fleet at a show over the next few months to hear Starcatcher live and witness a stunning performance that will leave you speechless.
Cover photo: Dusty Kessler
