The Grace Of Jeff Buckley

Two days ago was the birthday of Jeff Buckley.

I usually say that Jeff Buckley was the artist with more potential that was taken from us too soon. I also say that he is the dead artist that is more exploited by the recording industry. After he died, different labels released so many compilations, demos, live performances that is almost sick. I doubt that he would approve it, if he was here to decide.

He died when he was 30 years old, and he released only one solo album, Grace.

I want to remember him by this album. It is a mixture of 10 great anthems. You have great Indie-Rock songs like the album title song or So Real, and then you have super delicate pieces of music like Corpus Christi Carol, Lilac Wine or the eternal Hallelujah. I almost never prefer a cover version from the original one, but in this album, it happens twice. Or thrice, if you count with Corpus Christi Carol.

The reason that I usually say that he is special, that he could achieve unbelievable things its not only because of those 10 songs, but also because of Buckley's own musicality. He can sing, play guitar, and write (lyrically and melodically) like a monster. Without a doubt, he was blessed. He was a breath of fresh air on the American musical scene.

Jeff was, and still is, one of the best ever. I still keep (and will forever do) Grace as one of my top 10 favourite albums of all time, one of the ones that I would take to a desert island.

Is always a good day to remember Jeff Buckley, so let's celebrate his legacy, his music. 

Two days ago, Jeff would be 54.  

Pale Honey - Some Time, Alone Review

During this week, the album that was playing on my car was Devotion, the second album by Pale Honey. I love that album, it is still my favourite from them. It's very rock, brutal and raw. Direct. Brilliant.

Some Time, Alone, their new album, is  not exactly like the previous one. That's good of course, it's good to be different, it's good to evolve. Although, it's clear for me, and I want to be honest, I do prefer Devotion.

The new album is softer, calmer, a bit more electronic and has hard beating drums and killer guitar riffs. Of course, that we can find some exceptions. "Killer Scene" is a rock and heavy song, the one that could fit better to Pale Honey's previous works, it's a great song. "Treat You Good" and "Bad Things" also has that feeling during the chorus. 

Then, the rest of the songs switch between some pop/rock classic tunes, and some electronic dreamy moments.  "Beat Me" and "Heaven Knows How Far I've Gone" (quite forgettable song) are good examples of that melancholic moments. "Trouble Is The Only Thing I Know" is also introspective and it is the most heavier moments of the album, a great depressive rock song, cheers to that. The album-title song and "Set Me Free" show an attempt of the band to be more danceable and maybe, more, "modern", which is something that the band really doesn't need to; I do believe that the band is good in doing aggressive and direct rock music.

Funny enough, my favourite song of the album is "Friends" which is maybe the most commercial one. Its lunatic feeling is very sweet and enjoyable. I love it. I know it's stupid that I kinda criticised the softer songs, and my favourite one ends up being the most commercial one. But that's how music works, each tune hits you in a different way. 

So, as an overall, the album is great, a bit more relaxed then previous ones, less loud, but it has great great moments. As I said, the other albums are very direct, very plain, this one grows in you. As I am re-listening to it, I found it more and more enjoyable, specially now, in a cold Winter night.

Please, buy the album here and support Pale Honey.

https://palehoneyband.bandcamp.com/album/some-time-alone