Greta Van Fleet – Palace for the People

Greta Van Fleet (GVF) is a maligned band. Their main crime is sounding like Led Zeppelin. I don’t mind that, since Zeppelin crashed nearly 50 years ago. GVF isn’t a tribute band; they play original material. Although Zeppelin is a primary influence, they have a lot of classic rock in their DNA: Rush, Deep Purple, The Black Crowes, Yes, early Heart, etc. I have a theory that nothing new has happened in music since I graduated from high school in 1977. I am not saying there isn’t good-to-great new music; there is, but it’s all derivative. Granted, GVP wears its influences on its sleeve. They are not as original as Geese or Goose. GVF music is fun and well performed. They have evolved: there’s more folk-rock and prog now, but there is still plenty of blues-rock swagger.

Josh Kiszka’s vocals are an impressive high rock tenor with an aggressive, biting falsetto (that can be pretty too), rivaling his primary influence, Robert Plant, in his prime. Brother Jake Kiszka is a highly skilled classic-rock guitarist with great riffs and solos. He lacks originality (he channels Jimmy Page, Duane Allman, and Eric Clapton), but he makes up for it with technical competence.

So if you take GVF for what they are, not cynical but devoted Zeppelin enthusiasts saving a dying breed (only the octogenarian Stones can still rock like they are in their 20s), then you can enjoy them.

Lyrically, I have no clue what they are singing about, and I couldn’t care less. I am here for the sonics.

Palace for the People is more of the same. But from some bands, that is exactly what you want, for example, AC/DC. I am just fine with more of the same from GVF. On their first couple of albums, they innocently produced something that sounded like lost Zeppelin songs; now they sound like themselves.

After some success (their first two albums), they slicked it up for their third with A-list producer Greg Kurstin. They returned to basics with Americana genius Dave Cobb on their latest album. On Palace for the People, the band produced themselves with help from Mike Elizondo (Turnstile, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Fiona Apple, and Twenty One Pilots). To me, it is their best-sounding album: retro and contemporary at the same time. The band is fully and unapologetically embracing their schtick.

I recently bought a ticket for their show next spring in Phoenix. From what I have read, they fully embrace a 70s classic rock aesthetic live, with jamming, elaborate stage costumes, vintage gear, and psychedelic lighting and lasers. I love that they double down on the 70s. I can’t wait to see the spectacle.

Track list:

1. Into the Beginning  

2. Tear It Down  

3. Heart and the Beat  

4. Boughten Bliss  

5. Field of Stars  

6. Play Your Games  

7. Dreams You Hold  

8. Lost in the Golden  

9. Touch Again  

10. Saw You Stand  

11. Heya  

12. Call My Own  

13. Born into This