Jake Morley – The Manual (Sandwich Emporium Records)
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| Jake Morley - The Manual |
Release Date: 10th June 2016
The arrival of this CD on my
doormat happened at what you might call an opportune moment. You see, Jake
Morley is one of my all-time favourite singer-songwriters so this second album
was always going to make me smile but the fact that the album, ‘The Manual’, is
a guide to how to be an adult man in adverse times seemed spot on what with
just having been diagnosed with cancer in the last few months and having a young son named Jake as well. Themes of loss (Morley’s father
died when he was 21), confusion and struggles with mental health all run
through this album like letters through a stick of musical rock.
Anyway, on to the music, and this
music is particularly fine. Opening with ‘The Floods’ you’d be forgiven for
thinking that all is well in the world of Jake Morley as the quirky rhythm,
slithering bass notes and professions of love create an atmosphere of romantic
obsession that stays just the right side of stalking. It is on ‘Strange Loop’,
however, that Morley’s unsettled state comes to the fore through his truly
unique and astounding songrwriting comes to the fore as at least three or four
songs are blended together in different movements and often at the same time to
magical effect. Now, before the next song I would warn anyone who has been
through a difficult break up recently to leave the room for 4 minutes and 59
seconds. You see, ‘Ghostess’ is an absolutely heart rending account of that
period between the break up and getting over it as Morley takes in abandoned
tooth brushes, indents in mattresses and socks left behind enemy lines. I don’t
mind admitting it reduced me to tears and still brings a sting to the back of
my eyes.
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| The Manual - fancy packaging |
On ‘Falter’ our hero uses his
guitar as though he’s playing a hip-hop waterfall such are the rippling notes
and louche rhythm all held together by forlorn strings and lyrics that question
every decision thus far in life. One of the undoubted highlights of the album,
however, is the extraordinary ‘Watch Yourself’ during which Morley duets with a
choir of his unconscious mind and works through a whole series issues whilst
also holding down a catchy melody and some original arrangements – not bad for
a three-minute indie-pop song that ends on a triumphant crescendo of mind and
soul pulling together for the greater good. The piano led ‘Room In The Middle’
is another tear jerking rendition as Morley’s soft vocals show that he’s
starting to come to terms with the issues that have been pulling him in myriad
directions for so long. Then, on ‘Lionchild’, we return to the kind of tune
that was more evident on Morley’s first album with scattered and hammered out
acoustic notes and half spoken story telling as a vocal style.
Strangely, it is the seductively
dark ‘Weight On My Eyes’ that provides potentially the most commercial moment
on this record as the growling piano and guitar chug through a darkly rich tune
which sees us getting to explore the darker reaches of Mr Morley’s soul and
imagination. Despite opening like ‘The Living Years’ by Mike and The Mechanics,
‘Allegorical House’ is a truly outstanding piece of storytelling, songwriting
and, yes, it’s tear jerkingly beautiful – happy tears this time though. A truly
uplifting song without any pretentiousness or cynicism attached is a rare thing
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| Jake Morley - Genius |
The album closes on ‘Start Again’,
a statement of positive intention for the future and the kind of tune that will
get folks dancing and smiling at the end of his sets every time. What Jake
Morley has created on ‘The Manual’ is an intensely personal account of his
battles and struggles delivered with incredibly original musicianship,
inventive lyrics and real sense of care whilst retaining the freshness. The
by-product of that work is an album that speaks directly to me at a
particularly difficult time and, I suspect, will be a source of strength and
support for a number of others going through stuff that they need a hand up
from. Bravo Monsieur Morley, bravo indeed.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/jakemorleymusic/?fref=ts
Listen/Download: http://www.jakemorley.com/music/
Live Dates:
17th June – Le Vicomte, Rouen
18th June – La Scene Bourgogne, Orleans
19th June – Le Resevoir, Paris
20th June – Bar A Papa, Alencon
23rd July – ToneFest, Poole
16th November – Gullivers, Manchester
17th November – Bootleggers, Kendal
18th November – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
19th November – Thekla, Bristol
23rd November – Bush Hall, London