francis

I honestly think this: Jeff Buckley was an ABSOLUTELY, IRREMEDIABLY overrated artist. I'm ready to be crucified for this. I don't want to bring up valid arguments that would sound premeditated and generalizing (his mysterious death, the cult/intellectual figure artificially crafted around him, his enviable aesthetic presence), but will his name really remain in the annals? Is "Grace" really one of those masterpieces that you must listen to in order to change your musical experience?
In my opinion, no.
Honestly, aside from the title track and "Lover, You Should've Come Over," I didn't find anything that I hadn't already heard, and poorly played at that. Come on, you hear stuff like that from any pub band; it’s typical American nighttime entertainment music.
Buckley's voice was powerful and unique in a certain way, but that's not enough to define him as a Great Artist; Drake's voice had quite a low range, yet it reached my heart in a way Buckley never did and never will. The blasphemy is to compare them, not my review: which, mind you, was in a deliberately playful form (and it's not that I wasn't ironically poking fun at myself: maybe I'm not smart and/or competent enough to understand Buckley since I fall asleep..).
Then, if no one agrees with me and everyone is ready to throw stones, I'm here.

I certainly didn't say I'm the messiah sent to Debaser to teach what music is or isn't: I understand that it may upset you that a so-called "untouchable" album is being criticized, but that's exactly the point. My intention is not to provoke, nor did I aim to offend anyone with this review (that's why I made it very surreal and ironic): it's simply that I find Jeff Buckley's "Grace" an EXTREMELY boring and self-satisfied album, and I wanted to express that. Buckley's music says absolutely nothing to me, yet I don't think I'm musically ignorant nor do I have an idiosyncrasy towards singer-songwriters: Nick Drake is a legend to me (Jeff Buckley, even living for 200 years, would never have made an album like "Pink Moon"), I adore early Dylan, Neil Young, Donovan, and so on. Sometimes you have to have the courage to call things what they are and take responsibility for your actions: I would be sorry if someone targeted me for this review and started throwing mud at every one of my releases, but it's a risk you run, especially since in my flames, I never contest the fact that a band I review might suck in the eyes of some users.

I thank everyone for the compliments and the advice... a special note for kosmo, regarding Frank Zappa: I don’t dispute his significant role in the history of music, but honestly, I’ve never found him interesting. He is the wild card of rock, but I grew up with different foundations than his. Better Captain Beefheart at that point.
On the reviews: I’ve written many lately, on various albums. Some I've made quite "sentimental," a bit let’s say à la Nick Hornby, and I know they might come off as cloying: but it’s not easy to please everyone. Some are playful and a bit provocative, and I hope not to offend any "purist." As for the rest, we’ll see.

And how is it possible that all my friends say the Maroon singer is a hottie? He looks like Massimo Coppola! Even I would look way more attractive if I made music videos where I'm always having sex with models, does it really take that much?

I love the Cure at least up until "Disintegration," and I've enjoyed pop singles like "Friday I'm In Love," but now they're like the Rolling Stones: they make records to advertise the fact that they're on tour. Now there's been the classic "comeback" wave after a decade of anonymity, but that doesn't mean their latest albums are up to the level of "Pornography" etc... But why am I talking in the plural? The Cure is just Robert Smith!!
And why are we talking about the Cure and rap in a review of the (terrible, they must disappear) Maroon Five?

SPAM!! (just to have the last word)

Thank you kosmo, I'm glad you liked my review. You are one of the few among the Debaser users who have commented on my reviews, whose opinion is held in very high regard. I only regret that unfortunate joke in the Prodigy flame: and to think that I adore the Central-Northern European countries, I find them much more suited to my personality and way of being. The Mediterranean vibe, on the other hand, makes me feel quite uncomfortable.

Not bad, but have you ever listened to Pulp?!?

The chorus of "Spitting Games" is VERY My Bloody Valentine, you can't deny it.
Thanks for the 5.

'Two balls Zappa.'