With her career thrust into first gear via FX cult hit "The Riches," Academy Award-nominated actress Minnie Driver returns in timely fashion with second musical venture "Seastories," a calming, thoughtful opus. Triple-A release "Beloved," written by Driver with producer Marc "Doc" Dauer collaborating on melody (he also helmed 2004 debut "Everything I've Got in My Pocket"), features misty organic instrumentation, with guitars from Ryan Adams and a consummate pedal steel solo from Jonathan Grabott. Driver, who was signed as a singer to a development deal with Island before acting made her a namesake, offers convincing sonic solace with graceful soft-sell vocals and a devotional lyric. "Beloved" makes Sunday morn a little sunnier. —Chuck Taylor