Tom Faia & Kate Miller New Album Review

Artist: Tom Faia and Kate Miller

Album: Bad For Each Other

Release: 2024

Website: https://tomfaiakatemiller.com/

The latest release from duo Tom Faia and Kate Miller is a noticeable change in direction from their previous releases. Bad For Each Other feels much more rooted in classic rock n' roll and blues, leaving the more traditional Folk/Americana flavorings in the rear view mirror, but still within sight. They still have one foot firmly planted in the traditional Americana approach in composition, but the performance is much more band driven than their previous releases, which are closer to a classic folk duo relying heavily on an acoustic guitar to support the vocals.

The title track, Bad For Each Other has the classic singer/songwriter vibe in composition, but a bit more rock than the acoustic flavorings of Dylan. Reminiscent of the late 70's when Tom Petty picked up where The Band left off. The presence of both a male and female vocal lends itself to a Fleetwood Mac comparison in both composition and delivery. Tom Petty, The Band, Dylan and Fleetwood Mac are some pretty solid company by anyone's standards.

Give An Inch And They'll Take A Mile is a definite standout cut and a perfect example of the growth of this duo. It's a song that feels rooted equally in the blues as it is in the Tom Petty school of rock n' roll. A guitar solo drenched in wah and warm distortion is a welcome presence in the mix. The working of the wah pedal is an art that few embrace. Spiking notes and making it talk, versus just pumping 8th notes with it is what makes the wah a timeless effect and guitarist Tom Ayres nailed it. With a catchy chorus, smoky vocals and a strong blues influence this one is a home run on all fronts.

Pulling it back to a much more subdued approach on Out Comes The Sun showcases the silky vocal stylings of Kate Miller. A simple yet fiercely effective arrangement creates a soundscape that is both tasteful and heartfelt. Anything more than what is delivered on this cut would've been too much. The wisdom to know when the track requires nothing else other than supporting a wonderful vocal and lyric does not go unnoticed.

Big Brother is where this band seems to settle back into the sound that can be found on their previous releases. A comfort zone that feels so natural and effortless that it just falls out of my speakers. A small hint of classic country that somehow meets Jimmy Buffett somewhere along the road is a cool mix that never grows old. The relaxed vocal of Tom Faia is always a pleasure to hear, particularly in this element. His voice is warm and throaty without ever sounding forced. A diamond that still has some dirt on it!

This ten song set is clearly an evolution for Faia and Miller. I find the addition of an electric band quite complementary to their catalog. I highly recommend going back a bit into their previous albums and exploring what they did prior to this album to understand the evolution. The addition of the full band is a welcome change that doesn't completely alter the original vision of this duo's music, but simply adds more color to the already beautiful picture!