Look At the Fool

Released a year before his death, Look At the Fool offers a parting glimpse of Tim Buckley’s uncanny genius. After years of music biz frustrations, the singer/songwriter had chosen to work in a fairly conventional pop/R&B mode at the close of his career. Yet even within these limitations, Buckley’s inner obsessions and extraordinary vocal flights can’t be held back. Love, lust and all the torments lying in-between are the focus of the album’s songs. Buckley struts with delight on tracks like “Helpless” and “Bring It On Up,” unleashing quivering falsetto cries and guttural growls. More often, though, he’s writhing in erotic torment, confessing his bondage in “Wanda Lou,” “Who Could Deny You” and the title tune. Worth a special listen is “Tijuana Moon,” a delirious celebration of gringo excess. Buckley was letting his demons romp freely when he cut these tracks. Drenched in sleaze and tinged with dark humor, Look At the Fool is a fevered farewell from an artist in thrall to his own mad muse.