This Is How You Properly Critique Greta Van Fleet...

#GretaVanFleet seem to be a band that unites or divides, they are at least discussed quite frequently. Here I have a good think about what I really hear when I listen to Greta Van Fleet and if they really are just replicating Led Zeppelin, but tell me what you think!
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[@TheJeanGnome]

Surprised no one has mentioned Rush as an influence. The vocal range, tone and phrasing on some of their songs gives me serious Geddy Lee vibes.

[@nikaylamartin]

I thought of Rush before Zepp, honestly... but that Age of Man live performance was the first thing I had seen of theirs.

[@joshmearig1112]

Greta Van Fleet got me into rush because they sounded similar

[@BigbaldDaveTunes]

And no one mention’s the band Budgie also. Listen to early records of that band.

[@daveryandub]

Yes geddy lee.that’s what I thought when I heard that 2nd album.

[@benhajvan]

Because people listen to just one song and shout discount Led zeppelin from the top of their lungs. Now disliking GVF is fine but I have a feeling that a lot of that is out of jealousy. Not this video in particular, but a lot of what I hear from other people.

[@cleaniebeastyvoice]

Saying one twin “benefitted from more of the placenta” is the most savage insult I’ve ever heard lmfao

[@jaksooon]

Came here to say this

[@kindking8009]

What is that even supposed to mean? Jake's better looking? They're IDENTICAL twins!

[@cleaniebeastyvoice]

@@kindking8009 he is saying one of them didn’t get as much oxygen/nutrients so I’m not sure why he’d say that but it is a fucking sick burn even if unmerited

[@kindking8009]

@@cleaniebeastyvoice I understand what he meant I just can't fathom WHY he would say such a thing. I've watched a couple of his other videos and have decided he's not worth the time of day. Thank you for the response, though.

[@SteveBrule982]

well its really payed dividends for josh

[@Pseudotsugaification]

Please do a version 2 of this with their recent performances of their last (amazing) album - thanks Justin

[@psychosem17]

Would like to hear Justin's thoughts on Built By Nations

[@hannahhhhhhhhhh]

@@psychosem17my fave song!!!

[@get_wrx9618]

Listening to these guys live in a venue held outdoors was a great experience. They definitely sound great live and really express their passion for performing. I would definitely go to another concert.

[@princesssolace4337]

Gud for u when u get your money worth (EVO kicks WRX)🤘

[@mamukalomu96]

Watched them live. People complain about today's music... they jammed and everything. Great stuff

[@Jrob2786122]

Caught them in Nashville at the amphitheater! Amazing! Fucking amazing

[@plattecitypaul9983]

We saw them live in KC in 2019. Amazing show.

[@Ristofec]

Pittsburgh???

[@abbymarie9714]

It’s definitely worth remembering that highway tune was the very first song they ever wrote as a group, when the youngest in the group was maybe 13. It isn’t the definitive track to look at when analyzing their music and I’d even say it’s one of the worst if you want to get an accurate view of their music as a whole

[@Subatomic_Glue]

It is really hard to separate yourself as an artist and when your biggest hit is also your debut song. It's your introduction to the world and that's what usually sticks in the mind, fair or not.

[@AlanAHAPartridge]

I think both of their albums are nowhere near as good as their very early songs

[@dickravis]

It's literally out there to be judged by wallets and opinions ...but mostly wallets.

[@kalfaxplays7899]

heat above is a better choice.

[@wholelottastairway8]

Highway Tune is a rip off of The Rover by Led Zeppelin, mixed with basic Robert Plant isms. So yea an accurate view of their music would be Led Zeppelin wannabe rip offs with no originality

[@Portugal.TheMan]

Love all the videos you are doing. Keeo it up. Watched almost all of them.

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

Cool!! Thank you!

[@strangewayfaringstranger]

@@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain The one thing I can't get past is that newspaper or something behind you that says something like "Serial Rapist Alert," wtf is that about? haha

[@mjh5437]

@@strangewayfaringstranger He`s in the colour photo on the same page,suggesting he is the serial rapist in question at first glance lol

[@ST-fl5fy]

@@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain fan since first darkness album only critique on your videos is play a bit more of the sample videos you are chatting about. Gets a little verbose then video snippet of 2 seconds. Keep them coming 👍

[@colindaviddick]

@@strangewayfaringstranger Pretty sure the picture to the right of the headline is Justin.

[@sparkomatic]

No one deserves to get ripped off more than Zeppelin.

[@user-gm5by6dj3d]

Because they ripped a lot of people too

[@mushroomjesus2068]

And guess what. Ozzy ran back to Sabbath and said "we need to be better than them!" And that's how you take inspiration. Because sabbath made was zeppelin did and made the most important music in history

[@sparkomatic]

@@mushroomjesus2068 Yours is an interesting view of history.

[@mushroomjesus2068]

@@sparkomatic That is literally what happened. Ozzy saw the Yard Birds when Sabbath was still called Earth. Its literal fact

[@GurungyNoHamuster]

@@user-gm5by6dj3d They did but they paid the royalties where they were due.

[@sidneyvandykeii3169]

Heat Above is an amazing song with vocals that are even more amazing. Stupendous.

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

What do you think of my points in this? Do you agree or disagree with any in particular? Also...The Darkness are on tour in the UK & Europe right now if you fancy coming along? www.thedarknesslive.com/tour-dates/

[@carriem.4867]

I think you nailed it. Sounds like they probably still needed time to develop musically. They were signed so young, and they've done well, who knows if they will continue to develop? Hard to feel you need to keep pushing yourself when all the accolades are already coming to you. Hope they get a chance to figure it out.

[@lukerandle7406]

When did you become a Strat guy? What happened to the lovely les paul customs?? 😢

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

@@lukerandle7406 It's a charvel!

[@lukerandle7406]

@@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain..a charvel is just a Strat with slightly larger nuts....it's still no les paul 😎

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

@@lukerandle7406 that’s true. My Les Pauls are preparing for the tour!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Interesting points being made here! It's great to have a bit of insightful analysis happening on KZbin. If you want to hook up for anything, let me know it could be cool. 🤘

[@juliemanarin4127]

Hi Wings!! It would be fantastic for you guys to do a video!

[@TimberWolf762]

Fil! You should look at some of *The Warning's* new stuff!

[@MusicLover-TW]

Fil! TWA here, youi should look at the Mayday EP, each song is quite unique and powerful, pure hard rock! Hope to see you checking this EP out Soon! Thank you for your support of TW, you got a new interview with them coming I hope!

[@torresilk4277]

@@MusicLover-TW Means the Mayday EP, maybe. 😉

[@MusicLover-TW]

@@torresilk4277 😁🤣 oh boy! Yes thats what I meant, corrected. Thanks

[@grahamcammack479]

Justin I've been watching your video for hours today and I just wanted to say it's so nice to see you doing well and being a generally wonderful person to listen to. You have such a personable and conversational way about you and it's absolutely infectious. Great stuff, thanks for uploading!

[@lesleewatson4266]

They can take everything from the past and it will just all be new! Generations can’t NOT evolve. I’m old, and happy they’ve hit the scene. Will follow for years to come. Congrats young guys!!!! They are exciting and they clearly have been influenced by all the ones I listened to from decades ago.

[@TheMusicFreak201]

Their most recent album has alot of influence. I hear alot of rush, yes, queen, led zep... they even have a song on their first full length album called age of man that has the rush and yes influence. Theyre definitely evolving and becoming a favorite of mine

[@erikcasella4826]

Mostly zep tho lol

[@matthewtaylor1785]

@@matejko1086The Battle at Garden’s Gate sounds like a whole variety of different artists while still having its own sound. Sure, Built By Nations and a couple songs sound a lot like LZ, but they’re still great. You cannot tell me that Heat Above or Broken Bells sound like LZ

[@nero.burn.]

The battle of gardens gate album is perfect... 🙏

[@curiosityky3375]

When I started watching your critique I thought, oh clearly he hasn’t heard “Heat Above.” But you have 😂 I know you surely aren’t alone in your view but Heat Above blew my mind. I haven’t been that blown away by a song in a very very long time. It DOES sound unique. They deserve a lot more respect than they’re getting.

[@nankerphelge3771]

Blown away? Nah. Unique? Give me a break. The second influence is obviously Rush. The vocal is pure Geddy Lee. Choreography more of a mix of Queen and Joe Cocker. The outfits though, oh boy swing and a miss! White lame and make-up can be done well (Ooh la la - Goldfrapp) but this is simply overdone.

[@stefanos7724]

@@nankerphelge3771 I am a big Rush fan and I really dont get where people see the Geddy Lee influence. Like, they both have high pitched voices sure, but what else do you find that is similar? I really dont get it

[@baldbearded9601]

He hates on tons of stuff because he is trying VERY HARD to be "edgy" and "different" or "more introspective" I guess. He's so full of shit he probably calls it "keeping it real" but it's all about provoking and making people react. He makes everyone's skin crawl out because he act so pretentious that people comment and watch his shitty reaction videos to see what dumb take he has today

[@cadewatts1574]

@@nankerphelge3771okay yeah, like Stevie Ray didn’t almost exactly try to mimic Jimi Hendrix most of the time. I hate this fuckin generation. The more you listen to GVF the more you realize they’re not a cover band for Zeppelin.

[@extremelightningstrike5184]

@@cadewatts1574I’m very new to GVF, absolutely loving Heat Above. It’s been on my repeat for a few days. I respect and agree with Justin 100% on almost everything and he almost had it with heat above. I think he needed a little more time to digest the song. It is fucking epic.

[@jameserickson1330]

Justin, Permission to Land came out and was a major influence on my playing in high school. Glad to see you doing well, and thank you for doing this channel. Cheers.

[@fatalfngrz6831]

I joined a band as a singer at the beginning of 2020, quite a change of pace fronting a band as opposed to normally playing guitar. Just wanted to say you have been an inspiration to me in finding my voice, and now that I've stumbled upon this channel I am elated to hear you share your thoughts.

[@stoopidvideoz]

Stoked you have this channel, please please carry on, it's a pleasure getting closer to you through these little featurettes. I don't know if I'm the only one to listen to one of your best tracks Friday Night all the time, my guilty pleasure 😊

[@paulchidester7795]

I think they sound amazing. I love that every once in a while an artist comes around that sounds like a classic artist but has original music. They’re are not traditional tribute bands. It’s like you can continue the saga of that sound. There’s a band called the Explorer Club that writes original music that sound just like mid 60s beach boys. Lenny Kravitz and World Party have made careers out of doing this. There’s room for everyone.

[@michellemilano9401]

Yes..EVERYONE has an influence..As everyone has an opinion...Loving Greta Van Fleet.

[@SketchySandy34]

My problem with GVF is they deny being influenced by Zep. They’d get less hate if theyd admit that…

[@111whitepony111]

Lenny Kravitz isn’t a 1 to 1 copy like GVF is. Amazing how their fans can’t admit how much of a ripoff the band is. So blind and ignorant.

[@mushroomjesus2068]

Original is King Gizzard... Ty Segall... list goes on. Greta is for people who listen to the radio and say "there's no good news music !"

[@111whitepony111]

hairy diarrhea@@mushroomjesus2068

[@sonjeow]

From a technical, philosophical perspective, Justin is spot on. I'm just happy someone is carrying on the rock and roll tradition for the younger generations.

[@jk-wc6lr]

But the younger generations will never listen to it

[@randy7101]

@@jk-wc6lr oh trust me we're worshiping them

[@rylancopperman101]

Trust me I’m listening to it

[@alomon7738]

dont be that old fart, please@@jk-wc6lr

[@masterofpain120]

​@@randy7101they're not "worshipping" anything. I've seen more old people praising them for making music like Led Zeppelin and "holding the torch" than anything lol

[@justinsane11]

Just popping in to say The Darkness and you are the reason I took up playing guitar “seriously” in the 2000s while in high school. I even sang I Believe In a Thing Called Love at my wedding (even though I flubbed up the 2nd verse). Now that my wife and I have kids, my oldest plays along with me while his younger sister head bobs. Thanks for all that you do in the music world!

[@TheCoheedIndeed]

Was going to like this post but it's at 69 so I can't bring myself to do it 😜

[@TrevorParsnips]

@@TheCoheedIndeed go for it

[@highonsleep4219]

@@TheCoheedIndeed Somebody ruined it :(

[@juliegoldman6778]

They did make most songs their own, but just remember that the first couple Zep albums are largely cover albums

[@paulkazakoff9231]

Took tiny pieces from songs here and there but not FULL covers ! In fact only 3 from the 1st and 2 songs from the 2nd album were partially covered.That's it.

[@fuselpeter5393]

Yeah I find it funny when people complain about GVF sounding too much like Zeppelin. xD

[@b2bw1955]

I'm a GVF fan and I find your critique spot on. Justin, I can tell that you are much more than just a musician ...writer, producer, etc. ...bottom line good thinker :)

[@morganghetti]

Couldn't imagine being a fan of the cosplay mediocrity that is GVF. Even their name is corny.

[@defaultdan7923]

⁠​⁠@@morganghetti it’s fine to dislike the band, but why dislike the people who do like said band? when did good music turn into an originality contest? once again, you don’t like the band, but others do. maybe try putting yourself in their shoes.

[@wafflesarelove5801]

Saw them live just yesterday. I felt their music in my very soul. One of the greatest moments of my life

[@bensimpson2419]

I really like how you give honest and inciteful criticism without being mean or completely trashing the artist. It helps me as somehow is trying to learn more about music to see not only what works but what doesn’t.

[@rachelandryan]

Heat Above is an extraordinary piece with some very rousing melodic sections. It's not riff laden - it doesn't need to be - but it's clever in different ways, such as the very well composed middle section and the lydian motif. Josh doesn't sound like Robert Plant on this song, he sounds like himself and I love the direction they're taking. I wasn't a fan of Highway Tune (or whatever it was) but I'm totally digging this new stuff!

[@1999tenorio]

@Adam Johnson he has way more likes than you though . I agree the heat above is my favorite song they made so far 👌

[@peterkonsevitchactor7755]

@@1999tenorio yeah heat above is fucking gorgeous, I also like Light My Love.

[@joeman5220]

It is a good song. Some of Kizka's singing is sounding more like young Geddy Lee but he's changing it slightly

[@drdre4397]

Heat above is an old song they worked on for years and the producer made it what it became. Check out the 2016 live performance.

[@oliviamartin6963]

Heat above is god tier for me

[@bradymiller101]

Hey Justin. Saw you live for the first time, some years back in Boca Raton, Florida. I was working the show as a local stage hand. It was a great show. Years later I went and got my CDL and became a truck driver. Been in every continental U.S. state. Now I have combined the two and became a tour truck driver. Based out of Nashville. In a few days I start a 3 month tour with Greta Van Fleet. Looks like I'll be hauling their video. Even though I have heard of them, I really haven't heard any of their music. Everyone tells me they compare to Led Zeppelin. I have also been told not to mention that to the band. Whether they don't like it or they're just tired of hearing about it. I'm glad I came across your channel. I think I'll binge-watch (listen) all your shows when I get out on the road. Not only to pass the time, but also I am very much interested in hearing more of what you have to say. I hope someday our paths cross again. As you know, in this industry, anything is possible.

[@jmlrules1979]

What a talent these guy.. just saw them live and was blown away and it's not really my genre

[@jmlrules1979]

*guys

[@leannab902]

For anyone saying gvf hasn’t said LZ is an influence for them is misinformed. They have come out and said obviously Zep was an influence of theirs. But when it’s all anyone can say about your band and is asked about in almost every interview they do, obviously they’re going to try to not feed into it. The more I listen to Greta, the less they sound like Led Zeppelin. There are a couple songs I can hear it, but overall I don’t believe the constant and unrelenting comparisons are warranted. Especially with their latest album.

[@benesombrilla]

I really like your videos Justin! I totally agree with you concerning GVT‘s first album (from the fires) that the Led Zeppelin influence is overly present. But at the time of this video they have released already two other albums in which a development towards their personal style is very noticeable. The riffs are a bit different, Josh’s palette of singing techniques broadened, etc. Especially, those southern rock / blues influences really became more prominent. I think you should check out some newer songs from them, like “watching over“ from the second album or “age of machine“ from their current record. I think you might really like them!

[@raoul_duke7253]

Going back and watching this video, it’s pretty amazing how your channel has progressed over just the past year… incredible!

[@lucynorrish1683]

have recently discovered this channel and I've spent the last few weeks binging them. You have no idea how they're helping and entertaining me so thank you! I LOVE this Vid and your others Also, where do I ask you to review/critique The W.A.N.D by The Flaming Lips thank you please? I feel this track and many others by TFL *may* be up yer Boulevard so to speak but correct me if I'm wrong...

[@TimberWolf762]

Also on Lava Records is *The Warning* - 3 sisters who were raised on piano lessons and classic rock videos. When they took up guitar, bass, and drums, they took that classic rock sound and mixed in grunge, punk, and even some k-pop elements. Fil with Wings of Pegasus has analyzed and interviewed them. 'Disciple' and 'Evolve' are some of their new stuff, along with the first track on Metallica's Blacklist album, a completely reimagined version of 'Enter Sandman' that is being played on Fox Sports and is on Marvel's game 'Midnight Sons'.

[@MusicLover-TW]

They are the real thing, talented musicians, singer-songwriters, check them out, they will not disappoint!

[@torresilk4277]

I’m sure our girls would love a critique such as you give, Justin

[@TheUnderdogDe]

Marvel's trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJrTmJtujJeDg8k

[@drummessiah88]

"It has to come from your heart, Not from your record collection". Amen.

[@Atkinguitarcompany]

I really enjoyed that. I discovered the band today and must have listened to Heat Above 20 times. I thought it sounded fantastic. I am a massive Rush fan and it’s great to hear shades of their sound in there. I was also hearing a bit of Focus and Sparks in there too, anybody else. Keep up the great videos, we love u. Alister Atkin. Xx

[@alexbostelle287]

Zep's music draws all day long from early Blues riffs, these kids are drawing from the same place but this singer is generational , the band is a spring board....His theatrics and stage presence is priceless, he's a bit of Beth Hart, Freddie Mercury, Super Tramp,Joe Cocker, a smidge of Amy Winehouse...and most importantly he looks good doing it!!

[@mackereljones7854]

Zep wasn’t the least bit shy about blatantly ripping off not just riffs but entire lyric sections from blues & folk acts. I love them, but let’s not pretend they didn’t show their influences.

[@Codgerism]

He has a decent Robert Plant impression and that's about it. I don't understand how anyone could fall for their bs.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Mackerel Jones Zeppelin didn't 'copy' anyone. Whatever they took they transformed into something completely different and far superior. That's just a fact.

[@tylersmith9418]

@@lyndoncmp5751 negative. They did copy several blues artists. Some later attributions were made either voluntarily or by lawsuits. Lemon Song is nearly a direct copy of Killin' Floor by Howlin' Wolf and Zep lost a lawsuit in the early 70s. There are several other examples.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

@@tylersmith9418 Incorrect. 1. Led Zeppelin have NEVER lost any lawsuit. They never even fought against or argued again the Dixon and Wolf claims. They owned up to those cases and paid up right away. The only case they actually fought was the Spirit one. They took that to court and rightly won it. Twice. 2. I repeat, they didn't 'copy' anyone. They put their own identity into literally everything they took. Zeppelin actually used to introduce The Lemon Song as Killing Floor when they were playing it live in 1969. However the Lemon Song recorded for Led Zeppelin II is very different to the Wolf song. It is most definitely not a 'copy'. Not if you listen to the Wolf version that came out in the 1960s. Wolf later re-recorded it in England in 1970. Ironically that version has the funk and groove similar to Zeppelin's The Lemon Song. At the time Wolf was re-recording Killing Floor in England, Led Zeppelin II was the number one selling album in both the UK and USA. 3. Nope. No other examples of Zeppelin copying. When they did an out and out cover, they credited the source. Such as the two Dixon covers on the first album. Zeppelin fully credited Dixon for those right from the beginning.

[@mekugi]

"All roads lead to Led Zep" So let it be written, so let it be done.

[@Atlas65]

"I'm sent here by the chosen one"

[@grandwazoo1696]

@@Atlas65 "To kill the first born Pharaoh's son!"

[@Atlas65]

@@grandwazoo1696 I'm creeping deeaath!

[@mackereljones7854]

All Led Zep songs lead to Robert Johnson, so make sure you’re bowing to the right king. 😂

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Mackerel Jones Ah Robert Johnson.....the guy who took from Arthur McKay. And so on and so on. 😉

[@rachel.wilson]

You’ve GOT to listen to Tears of Rain, Broken Bells, and Built by Nations from the Battle at Gardens Gate album. The whole album together is a concept album. The more I listen to it the more brilliant it becomes.

[@lovroknezevic8555]

The ending of 'Weight of Dreams' is some of their best instrumental work IMO, deffo check that out as well!

[@dpabercrombie]

Same. I’m sick of the Zeplin talk. They write fantastic songs

[@crusheverything4449]

@@dpabercrombie - It’s Zeppelin.

[@thirteen28]

It really is an incredible album. And nobody else is mentioning it, but two of the songs have Ennio Morricone influence in their beginnings ... who else in rock had done that? I really only hear Zeppelin influence in one song; the others sound nothing like LZ.

[@nero.burn.]

Hell yesss!!! One of the greatest album i ever heard!👏

[@patrickw.mulroy8426]

Hey Justin! Great youtube bit youve got here. Saw you captured one of my favs Axl and recently Greta Van Fleet. Its cool having the music background and hearing you go through a talk of a band, singer...really cool. Listening here in Canada 🇨🇦🇨🇦🎸🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@rockergirl1976]

love this so much!!!! i just found this, and had no idea you had a channel here!!! so, I liked and subscribed and will now watch older videos!!! great analysis of GVF!!! 🤘🏻💜

[@colinmackean1714]

Hello. I saw The Darkness and then GVF end of 2019 in Glasgow. Both gigs were great. GVF are incredible live. Really superb, I can't recommend seeing them enough. Also I'm seeing you guys again in December. Cheers.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Takes me back to my teen years in the 70s...I love them!

[@gregoryharper886]

A track-by-track breakdown of Motorheart and a Status Quo special! Love the channel!

[@jorgech5640]

I would LOVE the track by track breakdown, great idea!

[@sophiewynne1]

Hi Justin, saw you at the gig last Saturday! That was truly inspirational. As a bassist I was wondering.... can you do a video on "the best shape throwers"? (obviously you're one of them)

[@interestedinideas]

Your guitar theory lessons are an enormous help to my playing. Thanks for your generosity x

[@ding210]

Your take on GVF is spot on. The syncopation of LZ’s Houses of the Holy would give these guys a welcome kick that they could use at this point in their evolution. Love the new channel. Subscribed.

[@lucyhughes5140]

I don't think you can properly critique a band on two song. Especially jake, weight of dreams solo is just amazing imo

[@seangeekandfastfretpodcast]

Hey JH. I am only mildly familiar with the Darkness, but have friends that are big fans. Many have pushed me to take a listen over here and see what's up with your KZbin show. After several videos, I realize you are a good chap and you really know music. This show is awesome and feels like a nice mirror to my own feelings about many of the subjects I have seen you cover so far. Good on your for doing this! And because of this I am going to go learn more about the Darkness. So one topic (which we covered many times on our own channel) I would like to hear you address is Jared Threatin and "imaginary career". Would really love to hear your thoughts on that whole thing that took over all the headlines a little while ago.

[@stephaniedenniston1410]

Just saw them in OKC last Friday night. Incredible concert. My 2 daughters and I went for my 63rd bd. GVF puts on a great show. Josh sounds so good live. They all 4 are extremely talented young men. My girls and I as we were leaving the venue felt like the energy of the concert was like a spiritual experience. A feeling of excitement and peacefulness. Everyone, artists and fans riding the same wavelength and connecting. Never had a concert have that effect before. Interesting.

[@ambermcl]

I’ve been looking forward to your thoughts on GVF! I’ve only just discovered them really, and even then only a few songs. I really love Heat Above and glad you enjoyed that more than the first album 👍 please, to enjoy! See you on the road! 👋

[@nadyaedwards]

I agree with you that Highway Song to me was, “whoa, what the heck is this & I like it”. It was the hook. But I actually rarely listen to that album anymore. I find so many fairly current bands that I listen to, within their body of work, I keep going back to their first album as my favourite. Which is a little sad to me, so the fact that this is only GVF’s 2nd album and it has already shot way beyond the 1st album gives me hope. Josh’s voice is really evolving. Keep listening to their latest album. This is GVF coming into their own. When you lost your train of thought- I think you were headed towards the fact that when they put out their first album half the band were in their mid-teens! The Battle at Garden’s Gate is a phenomenal album. I hear so many influences. This album brings this weathered concert major joy. Keep listening and dig deeper than the “most played”. FYI for weeks now I wake up with Jussy’s Girl in my head. What an awesome tribute to DL! And see you again when you are back in Toronto!🇨🇦

[@GrimFelArt]

BAGG is their 3rd album, not their 2nd

[@GrimFelArt]

Anthem of the Peaceful Army was their 2nd

[@nadyaedwards]

@@GrimFelArt my bad. I always think of FTF as an EP.

[@thebenglinator4226]

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with them sounding like Zep. As a younger person I’ve only ever got to hear recordings or watched shitty videos of performances so having an awesome live band that’s similar is fantastic.

[@alanhale5505]

Exactly

[@owenkinser6626]

if you live in a semi large metropolitan area you absolutely have one or more high quality Zeppelin cover acts. Just saying.

[@deathbybeth182]

Love this channel, but especially love that there is a framed article on the wall with a Serial Rapist Alert headline and a photo of Justin??

[@TheQuadrum]

I’m a huge fan of The Darkness and GVF and I appreciate Justin’s thoughts . I get the Robert Plant connection on GVF’s 1st record but their latest music gives me an early Rush vibe…..especially the singing. Rush would be the 2nd band influence Justin is looking for here.

[@wallaroo1295]

From LZ to Rush... that's not an improvement.

[@floridasoldat]

@@wallaroo1295 😂

[@andrewgarcia3136]

GVF just don't seem to have their own identity, even with the change in direction. it's okay to draw inspiration, even heavy inspiration, from old music. hell, led zeppelin were drawing inspiration from music that was all 20+ years old at the time. but the way zeppelin did it was unique to them. GVF just copies certain aspects of the songwriting without actually capturing what made the originals magic. it's like... a few steps above watching train cover led zeppelin. i can enjoy watching a GVF show but it really pales compared to the material they are basing themselves on.

[@Illinoize420]

Be cool if they had their own sound

[@TheQuadrum]

@@Illinoize420 I LOVE Led Zeppelin but let’s not forget ALL the blues artists and lyrics they blatantly “borrowed”. You guys do know that Willie Dixon sued Led Zep and he is now listed as a songwriter on Whole Lotta Love??

[@mateuszmilobedzki3113]

Hey Justin, I've always thought You were a natural talent for music and just plain fun. Im excited and happy to see this, as it makes me appreciate you even more for your sensitivity, knowledge and insightfulness. It's always cool to know that the fun guys are the just the smart ones who dont take themselves too seriously. Let me know when you're in Poland and up for a good beer with a local. ;)

[@michaelhutchinson299]

Weight of dreams 5 minute guitar solo at the end of the song is stunning.

[@WC_Beer_Reviews]

What are your thoughtsbon David Coverdale? Was Whitesnake better with Sykes, Vandenberg, or Vai?

[@DavidDiMuzio]

“You’d find him in the castroto range” 🤣🤣

[@rs4453]

Scary thing is that used to be a real thing!

[@cem330]

Loooool

[@thealeons3179]

WTF I thought you were joking around until I went and Googled castrato. Absolutely horrifying.

[@rs4453]

@@thealeons3179 Yup, something I wish I never knew about. DISCLAIMER: Search at your own risk.

[@contaaleatoria3848]

@@grievuspwn4g3 doesn't sound like a Girl doesn't sound like a child or a man... scariest thing ever done.

[@MarkZX14R]

When I heard their first songs I felt they were a bunch of kids who were very influenced by 70s rock. Given there ages I think they will grow into their own style and I would rather see kids inspired by Led Zeppelin than Fifty Cent :)

[@COD4SNiiPERx1996]

I've been a fan of you since my brother bought permission to land when it came out. I'm so excited to be seeing you live at download this weekend and only just figuring out you've a channel 😅 Great stuff!

[@kristinebarbaree2697]

My husband noticed a “Rush” influence and when I listened I heard it also . You might want to also take a listen to DIrty Honey . So exciting to have some good music coming out .

[@lauriewhitecloud9460]

Thanks, Jus! I love the Greta, too! And just so you know, Highway Tune was one of the first songs they wrote as a band...in high school, LOL. I look forward to watching them grow and change as I have since 2017. Cheers!

[@aliaainuddin9119]

I didn’t know they wrote it in high school! That makes so much sense now. Still impressive, but agree it is the weaker of their songs.

[@peachmelba1000]

A band like Greta Van Fleet could do with listening to some Soundgarden. That band is the perfect example of how to embody the influences you have without aping them.

[@ileutur6863]

Also all them witches. They have doors, led zep and Sabbath DNA without sounding like any of them

[@careful__Icarus]

Or they could just roadie for Rival Sons for awhile.

[@julianpottermusic]

the caravel intro riff is Soundgarden esque

[@14AspenDrive]

@@ileutur6863 all them witches has to be the best band right now

[@NN-cj6qv]

Have you even listened to any of their new stuff at all?

[@mikecicero5946]

Justin, we’ll done. Your style in doing these reviews is educational, technical,and hysterical. All in a positive way. Cheers.

[@TheGodseye76]

Justin! Will you do a Whitesnake review?? I'd love to see if you dig Coverdale? They had a heavier Zep thing going on but man they were great. Especially the self titled album. 👍🏼

[@anthonyhunt515]

Hey Justin. Ya know, as a 50 yr old fan of rock and guitarist of more than 40 years, i couldn't agree more with your point of view. But i think the point is being missed. GVF and any bands in the future that make music wirh a VERY clear influence arent making music for people of our age. This is the music that teenagers should (hopefully) be finding and being inspired by. When you and I were teens we had bands, who wore their influences on their sleeves, influence us. What we are witnessing is the great cycle of rock. Lets encourage the kids to get into it.

[@musicdude1540]

@@ThatLonesomeLecherousLeech Great take.

[@dcarstetter1]

First rock band I thought was worthy of listening to the whole album in over 20yrs

[@RMHutchings]

Teenagers today still find and are inspired by Led Zep, I'm 35 now but LZ, Deep Purple, Hendrix etc were the reason I picked up a guitar. Truly great music is timeless. The way I see it that's the reason bands like GVF exist and also the biggest downfall. I really enjoy the first album but it makes me want to put IV on afterwards and it's better and it's not close. That's an unfair comparison for sure because it's a bunch of teenagers compared to one of the greatest records of all time but it's a comparison they invite. I think they are a talented and exiting band but they'd do themselves a huge favour by distancing themselves from the early 70s.

[@savannaglass8381]

@@ThatLonesomeLecherousLeech Hi Lech! I am part of the younger generation (i.e 18-24) that grew up in a house full of rock. I’m confused when you say that GVF’s music should be “rebellious” and “ground breaking”. Does everyone have the same definition of ‘rebellious’ and ‘groundbreaking’? I don’t think so. Based on their most recent album (the battle at gardens gate), I think the abstract, larger message of this album is addressing the human condition. That, to me, is groundbreaking. Times are changing and the human condition is decreasing, something my generation will have to face head on someday, now even. Of course not everyone may see their album this way, but I definitely wouldn’t say it’s anything passive. I think this album is tender yet powerful, something that my generation could use. Especially in a day where unnecessarily vulgar rap and pop is extremely dominant. I think GVF is refreshing and (yeah, I’ll say it lol) reinventing classic rock to bring it to the modern day for people in my generation. Love them.

[@andyscott5277]

That’s what the record companies are hoping for, a younger audience that doesn’t remember the "greats," so they can pass off their derivative music as "original."

[@thehighcouncil662]

There new album sounds like they took the entire decade of the 70s and mixed it in. Each album they keep moving away from straight up Zeppelin. Broken bells / weight of dreams on the new album are some of the best tunes in......a long ass time.

[@thehighcouncil662]

@TJRROCKSPONGE there is definitely some Floyd sound on this album

[@thehighcouncil662]

@TJRROCKSPONGE Grets Van Fleet? The guys who are selling out every show within minutes, opening for Merallica on their tour as well? I mean ya rock is dead but a few bands are still keeping it on life support.

[@jdg5209]

@TJRROCKSPONGE Rock isn’t anywhere close to dead. If you spent longer than 5 seconds looking for new rock music, you’d know that there are PLENTY of bands making great rock music that are LEAGUES ahead of Greta Van Fleet.

[@catchinglooks]

@@jdg5209 that may be true on a technical level, but what constitutes "great rock music" is different for everyone, and there's no limit on the amount of music you can listen to. why can't you listen to those bands and greta if you enjoy what they bring to the table? it's not a competition or desert island situation.

[@jdg5209]

@@catchinglooks Because it’s kind of insulting to claim that rock is dead when there’s tons of artists making interesting, boundary-pushing stuff. And to say that Greta Van Fleet are keeping rock alive is completely untrue when they’re not really doing anything all that creative. In fact, the biggest criticism against them was that they WERE unoriginal. You can like Greta Van Fleet, but you can’t claim they’re keeping rock alive.

[@robertzobert1953]

Learned about you and your band after seeing you with Brian Johnson at tribute and reading your response to confused people was so cool and respectful. really like your music

[@jaiguru8487]

Hi Justin, 4 words- You are Spot on! All the best, and keep up with great work!

[@jpcantrell1]

I love rock puritans complaining about GVF becoming successful for ripping off LZ....but fail to acknowledge the fact that LZ ripped off poor blues players and became incredibly wealthy and popular.

[@Brmcfnm]

Actually the truth

[@shavedanape]

and folk guitarists like Bert Jansch

[@dawgpost90]

Everything we know today comes from the foundation of knowledge from those who cam before us. How can you possibly be totally original. I celebrate influences. When did that become a bad thing?

[@muhammadsmith7029]

Bad example as the difference is Led Zep sound like Led Zep, not those "poor blues players". GVF are just a poor imitation of Zep

[@jpcantrell1]

@@muhammadsmith7029 LZ not only used the exact lyrics but even stole the exact melody. Can you give me an example of GVF doing that to LZ's music?

[@ironsquam3459]

If all you hear is Zeppelin when you listen to GVF then you are not listening dude

[@kyledavies6464]

Idk what ur hearing but it’s def led zeppelin

[@carriemidgley2781]

Great explanation. I just listened to Heat Above and I would have sworn I was listening to the Canadian band Rush. One of the beauties of Zeppelin was that they seemed to reinvent themselves for each album and come up with a different sound. Hopefully these guys can continue to grow as well and expand their sound.

[@jamesdraege6327]

Rush was their 2nd influence after Zep! Good eye!

[@bettywhiteandtheboondockers]

I cAn see how his voice might remind you of rush BUT heat above does not remind me of rush as a composition

[@jerscr1]

I totally agree. But...for some reason I've always liked rush despite Getty Lee's voice and for some reason I don't with the singer of gvf. (Josh I think?)

[@the_lizardface]

@@bettywhiteandtheboondockers I see what you mean, but a lot of the melody stuff they're doing does remind me of rush, it's just less progressive rock and more of a ballad. The rhythmic tuplets are there but not really pronounced as much as they would be with Rush, but I think the song still has a few more nods to Rush than just the vocals. Even consider the lyrics, they're sort of arranged in a way Neil peart would write lyrics, just a little less cryptic in spots

[@thebarf9235]

That tune doesn't sound like Rush but I'm glad you mentioned it because I'm pleased GVF finally released something that doesn't sound exactly like Zeppelin. I do notice however that Heat Above's chorus is somewhat reminiscent of Tommy Roe's 1969 hit "Dizzy", itself a fantastic pop-rock confection.

[@cesarurbani2294]

Love the channel, always great to hear your opinions and thoughts about rock, bands and stuff. By the way, The Darkness is the last great rock and roll band. Please do a gig in Argentina.

[@SuperhelterYNWA]

Genuinely love listening to Justin talk music! Quality quality channel.

[@FirelightStudios]

When I hear Josh now I hear Geddy Lee and Robert Plant in many ways. I'd love for you to critique their writing on their latest album as a whole.

[@seanboyer6743]

Wholly agree. I hear more Geddy Lee with the shrillness of Josh's voice now. (That's not meant as an insult to Josh, BTW.)

[@Deadhansome]

Absolutely Geddy Lee too. There's quite a big Rush influence there

[@bridgetyoung190]

Agreed. Totally heard Geddy Lee. I kind of ignored them when that first album came out because they sounded so much like my beloved Zep which caused my eyes to roll all the way to the back of my skull. The newer songs I like. Amazing pipes the kid has...

[@chefandy72]

Your commentary is enjoyable. Any music talk featureing the term syncopation is pleasing. Yes, Roundabout might be fun.

[@keithpratt1849]

Love your program. This was especially good. I like Greta Van Fleet. I hope they continue to develop and listen to what you have said in this installment. With how much music has been written and recorded, it is nearly impossible to not repeat some of what others have done. We do need to pursue it with our passion, love and devotion. Wherever it lands from there...so be it. Stay awesome Justin.

[@nortski78]

You need to remember that this song was written really early in their career. Despite being their most viewed on KZbin, it is far from their best tune. They have developed heaps and bounds since then. Some of their tracks on their latest album are sublime.

[@mcdingus5081]

For me to poop on

[@Carol-zp6jh]

@@mcdingus5081 Are you the Grey kind? 😂

[@belindaclark6688]

I believe the kids were 13 (Sam - Danny didn’t join the band until the following year) and 15 (Josh and Jake) when they wrote Highway Tune.

[@iamjakt]

Bands will write 20 or 30 songs for an album, pick 10, then rewrite them for release. The year they wrote Highway Song has no bearing on this at all.

[@nortski78]

@@iamjakt are you saying a band can't improve musically as they gain experience?

[@charlottegoldman3580]

Zeppelin is one of my favorite bands. When I first heard Greta I was blown away. I loved hearing a fresh take on the Zep sound with their earlier songs. Now that GVF is a well established group, Im loving the newer sound they're reaching for.

[@stevenharrison488]

Totally agree not heard a bad song from them yet 66 year old rocker hearing great rock again great riffs no noodling

[@aarn700]

Not a fresh take when you’re copying the bands entire aesthetic and sound that’s called re hashing

[@lewisner]

I was working in an HMV music store and they were playing their first EP. Later on the young manager (I'm an old guy) said "What did you think of that music we were playing ?" and I replied "It was f***ing brilliant". He said "Who did you think it was ?". I replied "I thought it was Led Zeppelin but I realised I hadn't heard any of the songs so I Googled one of the songs and found it was GVF. When I get home I am going to find them on KZbin and listen to everything I can find".

[@PPWarrior]

One thing for me that made me love GVF was exactly because it was mimicking LZ so well while adding their own touch. It made me think of a spiritual successor of this glorious style of music.

[@psychospeakempire]

BIG like Justin! love your channel and style.. awesome performer from an awesome band.. subbed you of course.. just stay your course my friend, whatever you are doing is working for me.. all the best mate.. Paul Bradford BTW, Highway Tune is Killer! (IMO)

[@tomitstube]

excellent breakdown, as always. i would add this about greta van fleet, and that's the era they operate in. the difficulty in breaking thru. let's be honest, rock bands back in the day got a chance to develop their sound, uriah heep, judas priest, and foghat for instance were pretty rough around the edges when they started, many bands like black sabbath and say pantera were completely different bands. so with that perspective we should at least give them so room to grow.

[@rccampbell460]

Permission to Land, Last of our Kind and Hot Leg are brilliant rock records Justin and thank you for writing them

[@kikianellaesther8118]

I appreciate the way you made your critique honest and uplifting. Well done ♡.i.hope they listen♡

[@graciehughes4359]

These videos are so interesting! Really enjoy watching them! Bravo

[@strangewayfaringstranger]

You need to do an updated critique, from their latest album. Give it a full listen and talk about it. Curious to know what you'd say.

[@lifeunderthestarstv]

Just go listen to zep bro. Same sound much better songs.

[@bobbywhitehead4204]

I’m interested on your take with some really unique proggy stuff. King Crimson, Jethro Tull, etc, simply because your band has this cool power groove dynamic that permeates your sound...Thin Lizzy meets Queen meets 80’s rock thing. Catchy and at times flashy but as you move forward I see more intricacies being introduced.

[@NCWTWENTY3]

Ima gonna see 'em in Fairview Park on Thursday 23. I'm well excited!

[@moneortiz1614]

Justin, it's great to see an awesome musician, as you are, sharing and caring about music and bands in such an honest and assertive way. Greetings man!

[@EmpiresDawn]

"You have to have more than one influence" "Should not have combined AC/DC with Zeppelin". Alrighty then... :-)

[@Thirdfish]

Constructive criticism is always a good thing, so I think Justin has been firm but fair here. They were over influenced by LZ from the start, I knew that when I saw them on the last tour. and they were great live. I do hear other influences on their latest record, and they will grow into their own fold.

[@American-Dragon]

Hope so...so much potential

[@mysteryskeptic]

I think Josh is taking on your look, I think it would be super cool if you guys reached out to just chit chat then you could give him some tips and outlook on just the career and longevity in the music industry.

[@dickelstephen]

Saw you play in Hamburg with my little brother. It was epic! And now living in Chicago I am really looking forward to seeing Greta van Fleet live

[@MrNebauer]

All very valid points you make Justin. I was a non believer after the first album for the very reasons you stated. It wasn't until I watched Live At Red Rocks that I saw really how solid the musicianship was. A lot of long jams which a shitty band would not have been able to pull off. I was shocked really. And so I bought the new album and absolutely love it from start to finish. They are bringing classic rock back to a whole new generation and for that reason alone, I wish them the best.

[@23_Spark_of_light]

Agree

[@ellamcclanahan9811]

Yeah that was the same for me the dudes are tight straight up rock

[@kayla7562]

Omg yesss. That red rock performance is amazing

[@kend181]

You talk about something that I haven’t heard ANYONE else who reviews this band talk about… the syncopated pushes. They are so iconically Zeppelin, and as a result they really have defined this corner of hard rock/blues. Listen to Built by Nations on the second album. They do it successfully there and it TOTALLY WORKS!!

[@Gramasz]

Never in history someone review songs like ppl do now days. As a musician When I read interview I want to know about scales, time signature 16th notes off bout syncopation. Thank god

[@andrewshobbybasement]

I spent my High School and College years listening to every Led Zeppelin album over and over again, in addition to their live stuff and the bootlegs and the leaked studio recordings. As much as I love Zeppelin, I've pretty much scraped the bottom of that barrel at this point in my life and i am just glad to have more of that type of music to listen to from a new band with loads of potential and their whole career ahead of them.

[@Thorum13]

Same...

[@ivecadit]

That's a great way of looking at it!

[@flewprettygood8911]

I was thinking the same thing earlier today while listening to Greta. I’ve heard most of zeppelin. A new band with the same sound is like a whole new album in my mind. Even though it’s not the original band.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

I prefer fillet steak to cheap sausages. Sorry.

[@oreoandoz7723]

Love your review videos! If you get a chance to review Our Lady Peace, that would be sweet 😊 Raine has such a unique and fabulous 😆Somewhere Out There is imho one of their very best - or 4am - oh gosh! I can't decide. Thank you for your informative and always interesting reviews, and other vids!!

[@dpabercrombie]

At first I really heard all of the Zeppelin stuff, but as they've evolved I think they really have their own thing happening now. That last album, all of the songs grew one me as epic masterpieces.

[@johnsuttoniiijs]

"Epic masterpieces", you must listen to some shit music then, sorry mate. Like what you like but please be realistic about it. Lmao.

[@chrishepburn1503]

"Own thing" they ain't got shit mate. Just a glorified Zeppelin cover band.

[@bojangles6444]

@@chrishepburn1503 young folks these days don’t have much of anything new to call their own and the standards are really low. Any semblance of what things were like in the past is amazing to them. John Mayer plays a 4 bar blues lick and it’s “an amazing solo”. Remember what they are working with don’t rain on their parade too hard.

[@bojangles6444]

@@glibfacsimile I dunno I am not into new stuff. To me they are too much of a novelty act. I would rather people do their own thing then be a total reproduction of a retro sound. Maybe I am wrong bc I only heard them a few years ago.

[@Chyeahokay]

Inch of haters here clearly listened to them with their minds already made up. They have great music, and pay homage to zeppelin. Also I don’t think it’s wrong for younger musicians to want to incorporate flavor from people who clearly inspired them in the first place. You guys are a bunch of old crabs in a bucket

[@joek600]

I fully understand the critisisms and the need for originality. On the other hand the main reason that I liked Greta Van Fleet AND the Darkness when I first heard them, was that they were bringing back the vibe of a particular kind of hard rock that was killed by grunge when I was just a teen. Record companies wanted the next Nirvana and suddenly high vocals, elaborate guitar solos and theatricality were out of the window. By the late 90's came a wave of brit pop where everybody sounded like a cat meowing under a constant ''nianianianiania'' guitar scratching. Then by early to mid 00's everybody sounded like rejects from a Korn/Limp Bizkit audience. The original hard rock sound was gone and surprisigly to the record company big cheeses, alot of people out there missed it. Not only ''old'' people, but also younger ones that never had the chance to experience it without feeling like necromancers or archaeologists.

[@UnchainedEruption]

I gotta disagree. Sure you can’t see a lot of the greats live, but you can still get a feel for the live shows from recordings of them posted on KZbin. I got into rock just a few years ago in college, and I sure as hell didn’t feel like an archaeologist; quite the contrary. It’s all new to me, because for me it was happening for the first time. I had the same sense of discovery and wonder as a kid hearing a forbidden record play on the turntable in the 70s. It was actually harder coming to terms with the fact that those young heroes are actually senior citizens nowadays or just outright dead (I still try not to dwell on that). It’s one thing to be more 70s/80s-inspired. I’m totally down with that. It’s entirely another to be a soulless carbon copy of one very specific mega-star group of the era. Ask yourself this, would you be giving them a pass if they had actually come out in the 70s? It was a great time for rock/heavy metal, and you had TONS of diverse sounds. Even if you dig through the hundreds of now obscure/forgotten rock bands of the decade, I think you will be very hard pressed to find even a single recording that sounds as similar to the Zep as GVF do. (Not that plagiarism in company is plagiarism justified. It’d still be wrong, regardless.)

[@buchaneb]

Sounds like you are just talking about mainstream music. Just need to dig a little harder to find current bands expanding on that classic rock sound. Ty Segall, Fuzz, Elder, & King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard come to mind.

[@iliketrains3495]

Can't argue with the Britpop bit. Outside the big ones and a few others, a LOT of crap came from that genre.

[@celsoch]

Nah dude, go listen to wolfmother already

[@eqcork]

True. And excelent arguments.

[@timfitzgerald8283]

Love you reactions, have you listened to Tool's new album, pneuma. I'm struggling to fault any of it. lyrically, musically, anything really. Would love to hear your thoughts.

[@piathaleiatattoo2165]

I agree. But I’m also just glad a younger band has come through with these influences and music style. It’s refreshing. And maybe with time they will also pick up their own things which I think they are doing. It’s just refreshing compared to a lot of music these days. I love this band for that reason. I’m new to them as well. I listen to a lot of AC/DC. CCR LED ZEP the darkness of course Etc and yeah all the love!!!