Tom Faia and Kate Miller return with their latest effort, Bad For Each Other, venturing into edgier territory by enlisting the renowned Bay Area guitar slinger Tom Ayres. Known for his work with Persephone’s Bees, Chuck Prophet, and Third Eye Blind’s Stephen Jenkins, Ayres injects a dynamic new layer to the duo’s sound.
After four albums, Faia’s decision to pivot from their acoustic roots by embracing Ayres' electrifying guitar work adds a fresh intensity, perfectly complementing Faia’s harmonica and giving the album a vibrant energy that’s hard to ignore. The album opens with the title track, “Bad For Each Other,” which rides a slick groove tinged with Fleetwood Mac-esque vibes. The interplay between the lead guitar and the vocals is magnetic, with Faia and Miller’s harmonies locking in with a catchy hook that’s hard to shake.
On “Didn’t You Wanna Know,” the energy spikes with unbridled harmonica riffs that drive the track into dance-worthy territory. It’s a raw, unfettered piece that feels like a call to let loose. Meanwhile, “Good Love Goes Bad” taps into a bluesy vein, channeling a Janis Joplin-style fervor in its vocal delivery, while “Nobody Loves You For Free” follows suit with a more laid-back, backyard jam vibe. “Forever” transports you to a tropical getaway, with steel drums creating an idyllic atmosphere. “Give an Inch and They’ll Take a Mile” turns up the heat with a blistering guitar solo reminiscent of Hendrix’s fiery prowess.
As the album winds down, “Out Come The Sun” offers a dreamy, sentimental reprieve, and “Let’s Get Away” conjures up Santana-like rhythms that are as infectious as they are nostalgic. “Damn It” swells with the kind of grandiosity that belongs on a theater stage, leading into the closer, “Big Brother,” which wraps up the album like the perfect sunset. Bad For Each Other is a collection of standout tracks that showcase Faia and Miller’s willingness to explore new sonic landscapes. It’s an album worth diving into.
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