Classic rock sounds are often thought to be a thing of the past, there’s always a band that emerges to reignite the flame. Greta Van Fleet, known for their fervent embrace of the 1960s and 1970s rock era, has channeled the spirits of legendary acts like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin in their latest album, “Starcatcher.” But the journey back in time doesn’t stop there; it also delves into the realm of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley.
Greta Van Fleet’s “Starcatcher” takes a page from The Beatles’ playbook, incorporating recording techniques reminiscent of the 1960s and 1970s.
Producer Dave Cobb, renowned for his work with top-notch rock bands, played a pivotal role in shaping the album’s sound. Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet shared in a 2023 interview with Forbes that Cobb harnessed the same recording methods used by The Beatles during their heyday, infusing the album with a vintage charm that echoes the likes of The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
Sam Kiszka elaborated on the magic that Cobb brought to “Starcatcher”:
“I think just the way that [Cobb] actually captured the album is the way that we’ve always wanted to hear ourselves because it’s the way that we hear like The Rolling Stones or The Beatles or Led Zeppelin but with modern technology. So we’re using pretty much ancient recording techniques but also with modern technology and getting just really great s***. So it’s utilizing the technology of today.”
The influence of classic rock legends doesn’t end with The Beatles.
Sam revealed that “Starcatcher” also drew inspiration from the historic RCA Studio A, which has seen the likes of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and many other music icons.
“So using the sound of that room on the record,” Sam explained, “is very important to the sonic quality of what’s going on.”
Josh Kiszka, another member of Greta Van Fleet, expressed his satisfaction with “Starcatcher,” calling it “the best-sounding record we’ve made.” The album certainly struck a chord with fans and music enthusiasts alike.
In both the United States and the United Kingdom, “Starcatcher” soared to the top 10 on the charts.
It secured the eighth spot on the Billboard 200 chart and held its position for two weeks. This accomplishment marked the band’s third album to achieve top 10 status, following “Anthem of the Peaceful Army” and “The Battle at Garden’s Gate.” While none of Greta Van Fleet’s singles have charted in the U.S., their albums continue to make waves.
Across the pond in the United Kingdom, where the British Invasion of rock once reigned supreme, “Starcatcher” also made its mark. According to The Official Charts Company, the album reached the eighth spot and remained on the chart for one week. Similarly, none of the band’s singles made a chart appearance in the UK.