Although
Falling in Love/Perfect Fit failed to chart, some good eventually came out of it for
Frankie Miller, with the blues-rock breeziness of "Darlin'" ultimately finding its way into the U.K. Top Ten. But with a renowned group of session men helping him out, the album's brisk pop/rock enthusiasm does extend beyond its only hit. With help from
Paul Carrack,
Tim Renwick (
Quiver,
Procol Harum), and drummer
Chris Slade (
Manfred Mann's Earth Band,
the Firm), the songs eventually emerge into an entertaining set of some of
Miller's best tunes, with the bulk of the energy coming from his vocal brusqueness and
Rod Stewart-like charm. He covers
Bob Marley's "Is This Love" with surprising results, while even some rather commonplace singer/songwriter fare like "Good to See You" and "Falling in Love With You" is bettered by
Miller's dressy Brit-pop singing style. "When I'm Away From You" is easily one of his best songs, later becoming a hit for
the Bellamy Brothers and covered by
Kim Carnes, whose vocal coarseness is not unlike
Miller's.
Miller's material seems to be more attractive and entertaining 20 years after its initial release, mainly because his stripped-down style and simplistic pop/rock expression has long since expired along with the likes of
Joe Cocker and
Rod Stewart, giving it a revitalized feel.
Falling in Love/Perfect Fit has been released under different titles and track sequences, but Repertoire's revival of the
Frankie Miller catalog has included a bonus track on the CD in the form of
Holland-Dozier-Holland's "Something About You," which was included on the U.S. release of the album.
–
Mike DeGagne, Rovi