Greta Van Fleet: Classic Rock Revival
The epitome of classic rock revival is what some are calling the new band, Greta Van Fleet. Greta Van Fleet is a rock band out of Frankenmuth, Michigan, and consists of 3 brothers and a childhood friend: Josh Kiszka, Sam Kiszka, Jake Kiszka, and Danny Wagner. Greta Van Fleet recently released their newest album Anthem of the Peaceful Army on October 19th. The album is a mixture between alternative rock acoustic melodies and hard rock riffs.
Greta Van Fleet performing in North Dakota, photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Greta Van Fleet first rose to stardom when they released their EP, From the Fires. Many compared their music to the likeness of Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. Some are saying they almost “copied” Led Zeppelin, but is it a bad thing to sound like Zeppelin? Led Zeppelin is arguably the greatest rock band of all time, so it couldn’t be a bad thing to be an extension of them. Personally, I enjoy listening to music that sounds like it was recorded four decades ago. Greta Van Fleet is starting a revolution of the revival of classic rock, and we are all here for the ride.
“Anthem”, in my opinion, is the best song on the album. It is a song that displays themes of unity and oneness with all. Its message is to bring people together with harmonic vocals and bold strumming patterns on the 12 string acoustic guitar. Greta Van Fleet started to show more of their own style in this album. Their acoustic songs set them apart as one of the hottest bands of the current day.
Greta Van Fleet are advocates of being one with nature. They boast that they get their ideas from taking time to walk through nature. Lead singer Josh Kiszka quotes, “The sun, shining through a blanket of evergreens like pinholes of extended light reaching to find solace atop our shoulders in this shaded forest world. Amongst the giants of The Redwood Forests of Northern California’s gleaming shores soft voices could be heard, faintly whispering ancient tales of wonder and wisdom.” It is statements like these that add context to their music. If you understand that their music is inspired from nature, you can better understand the lyrics of their music. It gives context to the state of mind that they were in when writing the melodies and the lyrics. Greta Van Fleet is the next big thing in the rock industry.
Vocalist Josh Kiszka, photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
It is even rumored that there is a hidden song on Anthem of the Peaceful Army that can only be listened to when your location is inside of a state park. This is a bold move and a statement to the listeners of their music. They are trying to start something that is more than music, and more than rock and roll. They want to start a movement for appreciation of nature and the earth. It is a very bold move by the young band.
Overall the band is a great example of classic rock in the modern day. Their album displays themes of classic rock with a modern twist. They are just getting started and we are here for the long haul.