Rating: 4 Pulses
From listening to his dad’s old Creedence Clearwater Revival and James Taylor records at an early age, this Georgia native has embarked on the Murfreesboro/ Nashville scene and has put together an album that is pleasantly surprising.
Often found weaving his spell upon the crowds at Acoustic Nights at the Boro and recently back from a tour in the U.K., Gentry Morris has come into his own with his genuine lyrics and crooner style singing with his latest release, Daydreams.
Morris has put together a collection of songs that detail the hardships of everyday relationships, holding on for moments of passion and clarity. This album does not just cry out about the woes of a lonely singer/songwriter, but it is a journey through the depths of both sides of a relationship, the good and the bad.
It seems Morris has an old soul, writing with impressive craftsmanship as he blends together old folk with today’s adult-oriented rock. His lyrics are not challenging, but the material hits hard, leaving you waiting more. Morris’ smooth and breathy vocals are impressive, delivering the right amount of emphasis to every word in each song. The pace of the album is quite pleasing, moving from the upbeat song “Rebound” to more of a blues style with “Falling.”
Just in his early twenties, Morris seems to have matured at a rapid pace calling upon the old folk rock greats for inspiration. As his album details and colors the trials of life’s lost love, his use of simple melody and lyrics echoes bands such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, Tragically Hip, and Jack o’ Pierce, and his style strikes a familiarity with the likes of singer/songwriter David Mead.
Originality is not one of Morris’ assets; however, the music sticks in your head as the hooks roll on your tongue. The production of the music is satisfying, layered with smooth guitar leads and solid percussion. His pattern of song structure is to the point, never straying from its focus.
Despite some weaker songs at the end of the album, Morris’ smooth style and excellent songwriting are clearly obvious, and the words seems so strikingly familiar that you believe you have said them before, perhaps on some night of joyful bliss with the one you love, or perhaps in the rain with the one you cannot stand.
Comments welcome at jeffrussellmusic@yahoo.com.
