Greta Van Fleet
From The Fires

This record, which is actually an EP, happened to fall into my hands by chance; I listened to it without knowing who the authors were, and I was thrilled. My excitement grew when I discovered that the band consists of four young kids, aged 16-18 (bass, guitar, and vocals are three brothers), originating from Michigan, the cradle of Motown, although musically we are in a completely different place here.

We are in the territory of the most genuine rock n' roll, which has its roots in the music of Led Zeppelin. The voice of the leader, Josh Kiszka, recalls the husky growl of Robert Plant, but also brings to mind, in the high notes, the great hard-rock-blues voices, particularly those of Bon Scott, Dan McCafferty (voice of Nazareth), and the early, brilliant, Axl Rose.

Safari song, from the first notes and the first high pitches of the frontman, Josh Kiszka, it is clear that the talent, the good kind, is there. The track is a well-crafted hard rock, which in many ways reminds me of the earliest Aerosmith and also the first Guns n' Roses, those of the demos, when they were called Hollywood Rose and already had in their force the three superstars, Axl/Slash/Izzy who made genuine and raw rock, very close to this.

Flower power is a semi-acoustic rock ballad. It starts with an acoustic guitar accompanied by the discreet sound of a Hammond; it's a piece with a strong blues flavor, which despite the ancient taste, sounds modern. It closes, in a circular form, with a beautiful electric solo by the talented Jake Kiszka and with the Hammond it started with. Throughout the whole record, I find nothing, no musical intervention, that is superfluous and out of place. Everything is measured and functional to the song, as in this track, one of the best of the bunch.

A change is gonna come, is a cover of Sam Cooke: I admit that at first listen it moved me, a cover indeed, but with such class: the voice that reaches incredible highs, the choirs with a strong soul flavor, the bass and drums that mark a precise and perfect rhythm, as in the great rock records of the 70s.

Highway tune is another great hard rock track, this one also brings to mind the Guns n' Roses, but with a more blues touch. Here too I note the rhythm precision of the track, the drums and especially the bass (Sam Kiszka) played as they should be played.

Meet on the ledge is a cover of Fairport Convention: a great track, in my opinion, played better than the original, a great rock-blues ballad, with a beautiful guitar solo, and beautiful choirs. Perfect.

Talk on the street is an excellent rock n' roll, a bit rockabilly, it reminds me of the best of The Stooges of the early 70s. This track also ends with a great guitar solo, simple, precise, fast, and effective: nothing daring, nothing superfluous, just enough for the track.

Black smoke rising, closes the record beautifully: a beautiful rock-blues ballad. Again, the simplicity and clarity of the sound are the characteristic element: nothing is out of place.

I recommend this record to lovers of great rock; listen to it without prejudice.

These guys, if they remain musically intact, could be the future of rock n' roll (cit. Jon Landau).