Greta Van Stars

This is only this band’s first ever full length album, and its members are still just 20-something kids… yet I’m already too late in praising them over here. This is what happens with first rate talent. The band is Greta Van Fleet. The album is Anthem of the Peaceful Army (great f*****g name, by the way). And it already won a Grammy for best rock album. Talk about early accolades…

Their singer, Josh Kiszka, is only 22 and already boasting a voice clearly reminiscent of a young Robert Plant. That’s not me saying it: that’s the actual Robert Plant. And he’s absolutely right: Kiszka’s incredibly powerful high-pitched vocals reminds us of the intensity that the best ever blues-rock band’s frontman routinely showcased throughout the 70’s. And that alone is refreshing to hear — if not absolutely revolutionary, at the very least really, really enjoyable. It’s not every day that you stumble upon anyone remotely sounding like Mr Plant. Or an actual (live) plant, for that matter.

And it’s not just Josh Kiszka, either: the rest of the band consists of this 2 brothers (including a twin) and a drummer who somehow got lucky. Together, they succeed(ed) in creating a sound that equally references that golden era in British rock music in general, and Led Zeppelin’s work in particular. Saying that Jake Kiszka (the other twin) is the new Jimmy Page would be somewhat over selling it, but he still holds his own in this remarkably powerful sound that the band produce. And the rest follows suit: no bad notes, just sheer old-school blues rock brute force.

“When the Curtain Falls”, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, 2018.

The band came out with a first ‘anthem’ last year, “Highway tune”, a great starting point for their soon-to-follow international stardom. It was taken from the first EP and had people immediately take notice. Then came another EP, and now the album, with the even more iconic “When the curtain falls”, arguably providing an even fuller musical experience. Its composition is slightly ampler in scope and ambiiton, with space for beautiful guitar riffs, perfectly structured melodic sequences and intertwined bridges — with a voice that tops it all off majestically. Even Kiszka’s outfit in the video is a perfect nod to their notorious predecessors.

Again, not a single bad not here… looking forward to seeing that streak continue!