My Chemical Romance were amazing! We were right up front! Woo!
My Chemical Romance were amazing! We were right up front! Woo!
Member since:17.08.2004
Reviews:65
Members who trust:150
To me, 'Grace' is one of those albums that can stand the test of time. There is something to love in almost every single song on the album. Jeff Buckley had an amazing voice, ranging easily over 5 octaves, and he put his heart and soul into every song.
One of his most famous songs - Hallelujah, deserves a whole review on its own really. The lyrics of this song have been wildly debated, yes, there has even been sites started up, dedicated to talking about the meaning of this song alone! I wish I could put the lyrics of the full song on here for you to see for yourself. Although, the credit for the lyrics can not go to Jeff Buckley, as this song was originally written by Leonard Cohen. What Buckley did though, was bring the song to life, sing it with passion and meaning, with only a simple guitar tune to go with it, something Cohen never managed to do in my opinion. The raw emotion that you get from this song is due to the fact that Buckley sings with such pain and bitterness....the lyrics are full of meaning, whatever way you choose to look at them. Is it about love, lust, or religion? Like his music,
it is hard to pin it down to just one thing.....but amazing all the same!
" Baby I've been here before, i've seen this room and I've walked this floor, i used to live alone before I knew ya And I've seen your flag on the marble arch, and love is not a victory march, it's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah"
The first time I ever heard this song it sent shivers down my spine, and I had to know who it was by. Jeff sings the words so softly, yet with so much power. Hallelujah is one of the best songs on the album, and the one that a few people may already know, even if they have never heard any other songs by Buckley, but this is not all he has to offer....
***** 'Mojo Pin', co-written by Buckley and former Captain Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas. This song starts out ever so softly, it then picks up into an emotional heartfelt story, with light guitar playing in the backround, and ends with a powerful climax of guitar mixed with Buckley's strong vocals. 'Grace', has a great little guitar tune the whole way through it, and it's damn catchy! 'Last goodbye' is a beautiful song filled with emotion, and apparently when Jeff sang this live one time, he introduced it as "another twisted love song". 'Lilac Wine' and 'Copus Christi Carol' would be my two least favourite songs on the album, but either one of them could end up being your favourite, it's all a matter of personal taste. 'So real', has such simple lyrics, but still packed full of meaning "I love you, but I'm afraid to love you", simple, but how many people can relate to that?
'Lover, you should have come over' is another favourite of mine. It is another beautiful, intense, and meaningful song, the lyrics are nothing short of perfect, and again you will find yourself being hooked into the song by Jeff's beautiful voice, you can feel the pain and longing from his mournful 'moaning' towards the end, I get the same emotional feeling from this as I do from 'Forget her'...yes, Buckley really knew how to do a "bitter twisted love song" to perfection. 'Eternal Life' is more of a fast paced rock song, filled with anger and bitterness as he sings "Racist everyman, what have you done, man, you've made a killer of your unborn son, crown my fear your king at the point of a gun, all I want to do is love everyone" (you can't fail to get the message that is sent in this one), oh, and the guiter tune is amazing! It is another personal favourite of mine. 'Dream Brother' has a kind of dark vibe to it, it has been said that this song was a plea from Jeff to his friend, not to leave his girlfriend and baby, but who knows? Another great song. Many people have said, that if like the sound of Radiohead or Muse, then there is a strong chance you will like Jeff Buckley also. Although, to be perfectly honest, I've never been a huge fan of either of them....yet I love this album, and worship Jeff Buckley. This album is a must have for any music fans, and I have seen it around for as little as £4.99, what a small price to pay for such pleasure.
*****
Jeff Buckley, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, drowned on May 29, aged 30, while swimming fully clothed in a marina on the Mississippi River. His body was found a week later, his death was ruled as an accident. This album shows him in all his glory, the death of such a talented man is a tragedy, and makes this album of his finest work special, and something to be treasured. His death did not enhance his music, no-one is giving credit where it is not due here, it only makes me sad that he did not leave us with more.
*****
Thanks for reading.
Pictures of Grace - Jeff Buckley
Jeff Buckley
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A fantastic review, I will buy it tomorrow. You answered every question I had about this album, the singer and the songs. Nice one :-).
darkangelwing 07.08.2005 20:05
Very amazing stuff,one of those raved about albums you must own hehe,really like the detail and structure used,keep up the good work an keep smiling (-:
Museness 20.07.2005 19:58
Fantastic review! I've written one on this album also! Jeff Buckley was a genius! I really love him! Hallelujah is grand, and Lover, You Should've Come Over is simply amazing! Great stuff! Alastair :o)
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say it: ... more
Grace is simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say ... more
it:Graceis simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim Bu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Here's what they say about Jeff Buckley: "He died too young". Here's why they say it: ... more
Grace is simply one of the most amazing things you can do with your ears and a little digitally-encoded disc. He inherited the voice of his father, the legendary Tim ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Apr 28th, 2005
(Jun 18th, 2005)
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