J.buckley: ‘Grace’ From Grace

Front 1

Background

Back 1

Released in 1994 (although written in 1991)
From the album ‘Grace’ – a studio album
In 12/8 time (quadruple compound time)

Front 2

Melody

Back 2

It is often based on modal (not based on normal scales)
The sung melody involves melisma and word painting.

Front 3

Harmony

Back 3

Seemingly complex ­but exploit a ‘chord shape’ that gets moved around over the open three strings of E, G and B (i.e. an E minor chord).
Chords are therefore often dissonant (i.e. clashing) to listen to.
Some chords are power chords (i.e. they have no 3rd)
There are five different chord progressions in the song.

Front 4

Structure

Back 4

Intro – Verse 1 – Pre-chorus – Chorus –
Link – Verse 2 – Pre-chorus – Chorus –
Middle 8 –
Link – Verse 3 – Outro

Front 5

Tonality

Back 5

The song is basically in E minor
The tonality is often ambiguous because of the complicated chords that are used.

Front 6

Instruments / timbre:

Back 6

Drum kit; bass guitar; three electric guitars; acoustic guitar; lead and backing vocals; strings
The guitar often uses effects like delay and flanging
The strings use pizzicato

Front 7

Texture

Back 7

There are a variety of different textures in this song, created through the addition or subtraction of different instruments at different times
Sometimes the guitars play broken chords, and sometimes strummed chords
Some instruments and voices employ doubling