‘Theatrically and conceptually accomplished, but that’s where it stops’: A Review of Greta Van Fleet’s The Battle At Garden’s Gate
Photo courtesy of Alysse Gafkjen ‘Theatrically and conceptually accomplished, but that’s where it stops’: A Review of Greta Van Fleet’s The Battle At Garden’s Gate By Olivia Dellar on 60%
60 Over-Indulgent
GVF boasted album two as THE cinematic experience, yet the whole album seems to lack in delivering what was promised.
6
The Battle At Garden’s Gate emerged onto the stage boasting huge theatrical capital, with the band making the most of their social media accounts to promote their much-anticipated second studio album.Upon a first listen, however, although the album may be theatricality and conceptually accomplished, that’s where the good things stop.
Whither goest thou,
Greta Van Fleet, into the inky night? The Michigan band are often the subject of derision, yet for all the
negative reviews, slightly cruel memes, and the endless, endless
Hobbit comparisons still they survive, and still they thrive. Album No. 2 is bigger, broader, and heavier than before, the work of a group of musicians who long ago swore to an idea, and certainly don’t see any sense in backing down now that the stadiums are set to re-open.
Said idea – and it’s admittedly preposterous – is that twin-bedfellows punk and synth pop never happened, and the clock remains firmly fixed at the year 1974. Often compared to Led Zeppelin for their flowing robes, outlandish guitar solos, wailing vocals, and epic gong use – yes, we said gong – the palette draws on early to mid 70s arena rock, and as a result there’s a fair chunk of The Who in there, too.