Seen

Morley hovers the line between jazz and the classic '60s singer-songwriter. Her third album from French Universal, Seen, is a beautiful hybrid that has a political undertone. The album channels the passion of artists like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez with Morley's own personal life. Seen is like a well preserved time capsule from the late '60s with the perfect arrangements and lyrics.

The personal touch that is evident in Seen helps connect the listener to the situation. Although all the tracks on the album are noteworthy, the true standouts have to be "Women of Hope" and "No Evidence." Both songs are heartbreaking, painful and have a simple but elegant arrangement. Both remind me of a Woodstock generation anti-war song. Morley's lyrics are poetry in motion, textured and striking. The album makes one question how Morley got all these emotions on paper so successfully?

Listening to Seen is a breath of fresh air because the album is not overproduced or over manufactured. The whole album is very organic with the use of instruments, backing vocals, and the occasional use of the pedal-steel guitar. A song like "Call on Me" has a great arrangement and seems personal where she wants anyone listening to call her.

As a fan of Fleetwood Mac, I find a lot of similarities between Morley and Christine McVie. I had to go back and forth between the two because it was so stunning. There is a strong lyrical style and a warm alto range. It can bring you back to the '70s adult-contemporary sound. The backup singers never overpower Morley, nor does the arrangement. It's even weirder that one of the backup singers has that similar backing style that Stevie Nicks has when singing songs like Fleetwood Mac's "Say You Love Me" in Morley's "There, There." There is also a lighter version of Tracy Chapman in Morley, where she talks similarly about a revolution with her guitar. If you are a fan of Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, or even a fan of Tracy Chapman, you would definitely like Seen as well.

Seen is a beautiful combination of jazz and singer-songwriter with a pinch of country twang. Anyone who is a fan of folk rock should own this album, flat out. The album is easy to listen to anywhere. Even though there are a lot of obvious lyrics about anti-war and pain, Morley weaves it all in a mysterious cloak.