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Even though he only released one album in his lifetime, there’s no doubt a Jeff Buckley tribute album is out there somewhere (if not just in the works). You know the type — b-level AltRock acts poorly trying to simply mimic the original artists. Chances are Buckley would have much more appreciated For, the fourth release from Philly’s blissfully eclectic acoustic Avant Folk/Rock act Maggi, Pierce & EJ. The album is dedicated to Buckley’s life and music, but there’s nary a note written by the Buckster. Instead, the group has channeled the kind of emotional atmospherics that Buckley had such a grasp on. While not really capturing the otherworldliness Buckley’s music had (that’s very hard to force if you don’t have it), For is a fantastic album. While still managing to be original at all times, the group drops some of its more eccentric, Zappa-esque elements on For. But the trade-off is sharper, more meaningful songs that soar and an album that is a joy from start to finish, despite the tragic creative circumstances from which it was manifested.At York Street Café on Thursday.
This article appears in Mar 14-20, 2001.