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Jimmy Page, It's time to call your lawyers?

I'm pretty late to this party--as usual.  A Chicago radio station is starry-eyed over Greta Van Fleet.  I gave them a listen today.  All I could think was...

Is this a Zeppelin parody band? 

There are so many features to their sound, playing, and sonics that sound just like LZ--so much so that I cannot get into the music passionately.  These are (IMHO):  Vocals (phrasing mimics Robert Plant without stopping);  Lyrics (the themes seem, based on limited listening, to track LZ);  Lead Guitar (I cannot think of another guitarist who sounds like he's trying to sound like Page as much as this one).  

Does Greta Van Fleet sound like a facsimile to you?  I'm not hung up on punishing artists who copy, as I think it's part and parcel of the art form.  But I'm having real trouble getting past the photocopy nature of this.  Again, this is just one person's opinion. So curious to hear what others think and feel about this group.  I'd like to give them more of a chance and maybe others can help.  For now, I can't keep listening.

128x128jbhiller
chcumo63
21 posts
 
I'm torn on this one.  As a drummer and over the top lover of all things Zeppelin, I kinda hate that these kids are the most exposed Zep cover band on the planet.  I applaud that finally, there is a group of young musicians who actually play their instruments and sing their songs.  I lament that the supply of good original rock music ceased to be written somewhere in the 80's.  If GVF is what it takes to keep the flames burning, then good for us.  Let's hope that they find their own sound on the next record while leveraging the influences of the greatest rock band ever.
jbhiller's avatar
jbhiller OP
1,399 posts
 
I checked in with my friends who love music. They are evenly split on their opinions—like versus skip them. 

I’m closer on the spectrum to these opinions. 

https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/greta-van-fleet-anthem-of-the-peaceful-army/

https://www.allmusic.com/album/anthem-of-the-peaceful-army-mw0003211112

Isnt it true though that critics didn’t buy LZ or Billy Joel at first either?  I’m not saying these guys are LZ or BJ but it’s worth noting. 


loomisjohnson
1,941 posts
 
this gvf does have undeniable skill, but the whole exercise reminds me of the "steel dragon" tribute band from the mark wahlberg movie. zep are notoriously the biggest song thieves in the business, so they should be flattered rather than outraged. i do agree that the "stairway to heaven" lawsuit by the guy from spirit was misplaced.
tablejockey
3,885 posts
 
Jbhiller-

Regrettably , I concur with the linked reviews.

I just refuse to get off the "classic rock"
bus. I view any new  band now, as simply a weak/bad cover of what was.

IMO- if there is room for R&R to progress,
It's NOT thru GVF. 

Almost cringeworthy moments watching the lead singer. 

As mentioned, there isn't, or I fail to hear, ANYTHING unique about these kids.




big_greg
6,623 posts
 
I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I read this line from the Pitchfork review:

"Brothers Jake and Sam Kiszka, on guitar and bass, are both wearing hippie costumes they 3D-printed off the internet. The singer, the wretched and caterwauling third brother, Josh, is in dangly feather earrings and vinyl pants, like he was dressed by a problematic Santa Fe palm-reader with a gift certificate to Chico’s."
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