Some albums were released and changed everything, such as dark side of the moon, never mind the bollocks and highway 61 revisited. But the album I will be reviewing has been more like an avalanche accumulating thousands of more fans every year.
Jeff Buckley is a cult icon, to his fans he’s adored for brilliant voice, unique lyrical content and his intense but funny persona. But outside of his fan base when he mysteriously drowned to death very few knew. But his only studio album that he completed has left a legacy of songs which far surpasses any singer songwriter since Bob Dylan and Neil Young in the 1970’s.
On the 1994 debut album of Grace, Jeff Buckley managed to mix powerful haunting songs with large swooping melodic hooks which keeps the listener coming back time after time, every year I come back to this album and its as fresh as ever. I will discuss the songs individually:
Mojo pin: Coming in with a slow haunting voice in the distance and ending with Buckley in full scream, is a powerful almost psychedelic song about heroin although its really up to the listeners interpretation. the song ticks all the boxes to be one of the best opening songs on any album
Grace: The albums namesake, shows Buckley at his melodic best, unique guitars with soaring vocals, which lead to one critic desribing Buckley as ‘Page and Plant rolled into one
Last Goodbye: it’s a lot easier to write a sad song than a happy one, which could possibly explain the emo movement, but this Buckley at his joyous best thinking of his final meeting with a lover it has brilliant slide guitar and a soaring uplifting refrains.
Lilac Wine: a unique emotional interpretation of a Nina Simone song, although not a favorite of mine, still a very popular song of his.
So Real: This song is poor in comparision to the rest of the album and the only song I would class as filler, its unfortunate placement behind track 6 (hallelujah) means its overlooked, but it is still a good song.
Hallelujah: I am not being hyperbolic when I say that this piece of music stands up next to any piece of music ever produced. The lyrical content the passion in his voice, is only beginning to get the credit it deserves, with the lyrics, “Maybe there’s a god above but all I’ve ever learnt from love is how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya”. Being sung to perfection its 6 minutes 45 seconds of pure bliss. A modern day hymn for the masses
Lover you should of come over: After one of the most powerful songs written it might be thought the next song would be an anti climax but instead is a beautiful lush sounding song about yearning, a beautiful ego free song about love, something that there is little of in rock music.
Chorpus Christi Carol: Most won’t be able to stand this song, but those who know the original see this as a brilliant interpretation, this song will divide people’s opinion.
Eternal Life: Despite having a voice of an angel, Jeff wanted to be a heavy metal star like his favorite band Led Zeppelin, this showcases it perfectly, with its heavy guitar although kept ‘Buckley’ by its intense other worldly lyrics.
Dream Brother: A bizarre sitar sounding guitar leads into one of the most inspired and unusual vocal melodies in rock music, a franticly original and interesting piece of music
Grace is know thought of as one of the best albums of the 90’s with mojo magazine rating best album of past twenty years, and with Buckley’s mysticism as well as powerful melodies and hooks I am confident his reputation will continue to improve.
Album Rating: *****
A work of pure class and genius, this will be talked about for decades to come Buckley has produced the most beautiful and unique songs of his generation, with the majority of this album being worthy of multiple repeat listens and fitting to its iconic reputation.
Jeff Buckley is a cult icon, to his fans he’s adored for brilliant voice, unique lyrical content and his intense but funny persona. But outside of his fan base when he mysteriously drowned to death very few knew. But his only studio album that he completed has left a legacy of songs which far surpasses any singer songwriter since Bob Dylan and Neil Young in the 1970’s.
On the 1994 debut album of Grace, Jeff Buckley managed to mix powerful haunting songs with large swooping melodic hooks which keeps the listener coming back time after time, every year I come back to this album and its as fresh as ever. I will discuss the songs individually:
Mojo pin: Coming in with a slow haunting voice in the distance and ending with Buckley in full scream, is a powerful almost psychedelic song about heroin although its really up to the listeners interpretation. the song ticks all the boxes to be one of the best opening songs on any album
Grace: The albums namesake, shows Buckley at his melodic best, unique guitars with soaring vocals, which lead to one critic desribing Buckley as ‘Page and Plant rolled into one
Last Goodbye: it’s a lot easier to write a sad song than a happy one, which could possibly explain the emo movement, but this Buckley at his joyous best thinking of his final meeting with a lover it has brilliant slide guitar and a soaring uplifting refrains.
Lilac Wine: a unique emotional interpretation of a Nina Simone song, although not a favorite of mine, still a very popular song of his.
So Real: This song is poor in comparision to the rest of the album and the only song I would class as filler, its unfortunate placement behind track 6 (hallelujah) means its overlooked, but it is still a good song.
Hallelujah: I am not being hyperbolic when I say that this piece of music stands up next to any piece of music ever produced. The lyrical content the passion in his voice, is only beginning to get the credit it deserves, with the lyrics, “Maybe there’s a god above but all I’ve ever learnt from love is how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya”. Being sung to perfection its 6 minutes 45 seconds of pure bliss. A modern day hymn for the masses
Lover you should of come over: After one of the most powerful songs written it might be thought the next song would be an anti climax but instead is a beautiful lush sounding song about yearning, a beautiful ego free song about love, something that there is little of in rock music.
Chorpus Christi Carol: Most won’t be able to stand this song, but those who know the original see this as a brilliant interpretation, this song will divide people’s opinion.
Eternal Life: Despite having a voice of an angel, Jeff wanted to be a heavy metal star like his favorite band Led Zeppelin, this showcases it perfectly, with its heavy guitar although kept ‘Buckley’ by its intense other worldly lyrics.
Dream Brother: A bizarre sitar sounding guitar leads into one of the most inspired and unusual vocal melodies in rock music, a franticly original and interesting piece of music
Grace is know thought of as one of the best albums of the 90’s with mojo magazine rating best album of past twenty years, and with Buckley’s mysticism as well as powerful melodies and hooks I am confident his reputation will continue to improve.
Album Rating: *****
A work of pure class and genius, this will be talked about for decades to come Buckley has produced the most beautiful and unique songs of his generation, with the majority of this album being worthy of multiple repeat listens and fitting to its iconic reputation.
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