CFNN Reporter: Dana Murray

Jeff Buckley’s only studio album, Grace, is a masterpiece. Recently, it has been gaining popularity due to the popular social media app TikTok, and rightfully so. The album is extremely raw and honest in its emotions. The running motif among all of these songs is a sense of sadness and longing. It makes for a depressing album, but a great one all the same. It makes you wonder what else he could have accomplished if he hadn’t passed so young. 

“Mojo Pin” starts off the album with an ominous tone. The beginning is mysterious before giving way to a beautiful acoustic guitar behind Buckley’s voice. His voice has a velvety softness to it and a slight rasp, which gives it so much soul. It’s a very slow song at the start, which makes it a great one for easy listening. The melody is absolutely stunning. The faster section is a great contrast that sets it apart and makes the song interesting. It’s a solid way to start the album. 

“Grace” has an ethereal feeling, the beginning guitar riff has an amazing feel. This song is a somber one. Buckley is contemplating life itself and says that he’s “not afraid to die,” which is eerie foreshadowing to his death by drowning in the Memphis river. Buckley’s voice doesn’t disappoint in this one. It has an unidentifiable quality that makes it so wonderful to listen to. The subtle harmonies throughout the song are exquisite. The distorted vocals and ticking of a clock near the 3:30 minute mark are a great touch. It’s an immensely powerful song. 

The bass in “Last Goodbye” is groovy! I wasn’t expecting a groove from this album, but here it is! It keeps the somber lyrics of the other songs, but goes for a slight break in the mold with the instruments. This song leans into a grunge sound, which is quite nice. The mix of grunge and orchestral parts reminds me a bit of “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls. It’s a sad song, but it has summer vibes. I really love this one. 

“Lilac Wine” is a slow song that ties back to “Grace.” It’s a song of remembrance and longing for a lost lover. Buckley’s vocal performance is amazing. It’s so gentle and tender, which drives home the longing that is expressed throughout the song. 

“So Real” has some beautiful high notes from Buckley. They’re expertly executed and fit the song so well; it’s otherworldly. Lyrically, the song speaks of childhood innocence, nightmares, and love. The guitar solo here is amazing. It reminds me of Soundgarden. The riff is incredible. The whispery part around the three minute mark adds to the haunting qualities. This song is a prime example of simple yet effective songwriting. 

“Hallelujah” is one of my favorite covers of all time because while it stays close to the original, Buckley makes it his own. His voice fits this song perfectly. I love the instrumental, the simpleness of just having a guitar accompanying him makes the song that much more powerful. It’s one of those covers that outshines the original. 

“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” is one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. It’s one that would be in a scene in a movie where the main couple is dancing in the kitchen in the middle of the night. I love that an accordion was used on this song. It’s not used often in modern music, so it’s refreshing to hear. There’s more death imagery with the description of rain at a funeral, which is him unwittingly predicting his untimely death. This song is perfect for the hopeless romantics. “All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter” is a fantastic line. This is the best song on the album and I won’t be taking criticism.

“Corpus Christi Carol” is a beautiful, ghostly song. Buckley’s falsetto is amazing. This again showcases the simple effectiveness of his music. It’s not overdone, which is so easy to do on ballads like this one. I don’t see many people talking about this song; it deserves more recognition. It’s a wonderful follow-up to “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over.”

“Dream Brother” has a great bass line. The beat reminds me of the song “Voodoo” by Godsmack. The refrain is amazing. The reverb effect used on the vocal was absolutely the right choice for this song. The solo is great. I love the change of pace from the other songs on the album. It’s a contender for the best song Jeff Buckley has ever done.

“Eternal Life” starts out like “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chili Peppers. It’s more hard rock leaning, which switches it up from the more somber, grunge-esque sound of the rest of the album. It’s a great song with a great guitar riff. I like this more aggressive sound with Buckley’s voice. It shows that he can do more than tender songs, which could appeal to a wider audience. There’s an orchestral part in the background near the end, which is a nice sound contrast. It’s a great way to close the album. It creates interest and leaves people wanting more. That’s exactly what a debut album should do.

This album is immaculate. It has a dynamic that no other album has. While being mostly somber, it has a great beat and guitar riffs, which makes it a great album to jam out to. It’s a lasting tribute to an artist taken too soon that could have done so much more if he had the time.