Jeff Buckley — Grace

If there was ever one album that I would consider life-changing, it would be Jeff Buckley's Grace. I discovered the album at a time in my life when I was fairly immersed in introspection and self-doubt, to a degree. I really needed an outlet for my frustration, and something (or someone) to confide in. It was a transitional period that left me constantly feeling bereft. I kept turning to myself for answers, but the answers were constantly fleeting. I romanticized about the dire consequences of my own self-imposed isolation and self-depreciation. "How would I make it through this time of doubt," I kept asking myself.

One day I decided to take a trip to the record store and peruse through the isles in search of something that would serve as a diversion for my depression. Thanks to recommendations from a friend of mine, I decided upon Grace. Up until that point in time, I never heard an album so moving and beautiful, yet so wrought with longing and love-lorn abandonment. The album touched me like no other that I've heard, and I've heard quite a few. It changed my perception of music and life in general, and really made me strive to change things for the better. Grace is a modern classic, and if given the the proper attention, will have a stong impact on anyone's life who wishes to let it do so.

Jeff Buckley was a prodigious young talent that had the potential to take the world by storm with his intelligent and beyond-his-years mature lyrics and musical compositions. His life was tragically cut short when he drowned in a part of the Mississippi River in Memphis; he was only 30 years old, but left behind some of the most enduring music of his time.

Grace is Jeff Buckley's only "real" full-length album -- Sketches for my Sweetheart the Drunk was the subsequent followup to Grace, but it was an unfinished album that showed a brief glimpse at what could have been. Grace showed Jeff Buckley crooning over failed relationships, personal angst and turmoil, heady philosophical subject matter and more. The music, well, the music is perhaps some of the most eloquent to have graced (no pun intended) the music industry back in 1994. In a time when people were still galvanizing the waning grunge trend, Jeff Buckley was crafting songs that touched on folk, gospel, post-punk, blues, jazz and more. Oh, and that voice. Jeff Buckley has a stunning range that can tug at your heartstrings with very little effort. His voice soars and then recedes to a mellow croon that is comparable to a more trained Leonard Cohen or even Mike Patton on his more tame moments. There was really no limit in sight for his artistic capabilities, and they were only touched upon on Grace. The sheer breadth of styles that he utilized was breathtaking; not only because of how versatile he really was, but because of how flawlessly they were executed.

Grace is an album that can cross boundaries and appeal to almost anyone who is into sincere, heartfelt music. I have friends who are primarily into the more extreme forms of metal and hardcore, and they have even taken a liking to this album. I could continue to needlessly meander and come up with a thousand and one various descriptions of the album, but in the end they would all have one thing in common: that being that Grace is one the the best albums of the 20th century, and continues to influence and inspire those who have heard it. I cannot recommend the album highly enough. If there was only enough time in the day to listen to it on repeat, non-stop without any interruptions.

Jeff Buckley's short-lived career has left an indelible mark on the music industry. It's really a shame that he didn't live long enough to really witness the impact his music had on many people's lives, but at least his music will be around forever to adorn peoples' album collections. If you don't already own Grace (or any Jeff Buckley material for that matter,) do yourself a favor and treat yourself to it immediately. You won't regreat it in the least bit.