Carolinian

Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

One thing I know that's never subject to change is my favorite album, which is Grace by the late Jeff Buckley. Dying at an early age of a drowning accident in 1997, Buckley left behind a melancholic, yet astounding collection of music that, to my amazement, many know nothing about.

Due to his death occurring at period where most of my generation was intoxicated by pop music, Buckley was completely overlooked. Now, I know I wasn't of age to care about music as serious as his, and don't get me wrong, I was also a part of the pop wave (I regretfully own an 'N Sync album or two). But even now, when people my age are reaching back in time buying records made anywhere from the mid-'60s to the early '90s, why is it that I can't get a graphic tee with Jeff Buckley on it at, say, Target where The Who, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and bands alike dominate the T-shirt racks? I don't want one, I'm just trying to make a point.

Artists of today such as Coldplay give props to Buckley and use him as a driving force for their work like many other current musicians do, but where is the general population's respect?

I believe the true question here is why is Jeff Buckley so unacknowledged? With music as profound as his, why do so many know next to nothing about his musical influence? Curt Cobain died just three years before Buckley, and yet he is deified just as much today as during his Nirvana days. Should you have to lead a scandalous life to be recognized after you're gone? I would hope not, but it sure looks that way.

Two things attracted me to Buckley's work, and the first was the range of sound. There are instruments in Grace that you wouldn't expect to be present in alternative rock. He uses everything from the dulcimer to the harmonium, creating a diverse assortment of sounds, which is all the more reason for you to listen to him. Most times when I get bored with the music I've been listening to I have to put something fresh in my head, and Grace did that for me.

Then there are the lyrics. The only word available to describe the overall theme of his music is morbid, but not in a bad way. In every song is the underlying theme of death, or the presence of something dark approaching. In the song "Grace" he somberly sings, "And she weeps on my arms/ Walk into the bright lights of sorrow/ Oh drink a bit of wine we both might go tomorrow." Even though he has a sinister Emily Dickens-like poetic darkness to his music, he touches on broader ideas and with passion. In "Eternal Life" he says, "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". His music is amazing and the sounds and quality of lyrics are genius.

I urge you, no matter what range of music you are confined to, to either put this album into your collection or at least download a few of the songs. It's 10 solid songs of unearthed philosophy that I'm sure most of you may like. I think gossip and scandal-free artists such as Buckley and musicians like him deserve to have their talents known.

To listen to some of the songs listed above, or read more about music, visit Ashley's blog at www.xanga.com/anjohn234, and remember to download safely and most importantly, legally.

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