Tamara Hey, a New York City-based singer/songwriter, follows her 2005 debut Right This Minute with an expertly crafted sophomore release, Miserably Happy.  Refreshingly, Hey – all smiles in the two photos on the cover of the CD jacket – brings lighthearted optimism to a singer/songwriter genre often skewed toward the brooding and depressive.  In the latest record, Hey has surrounded herself with an individually noteworthy cast of accompanying musicians: producer and guitarist Art Heys linked with Matchbox Twenty and Carbondale, Keyboardist (and husband) Henry Hey known from his work with Rod Stewart and Jeff Watts, drummer Brian Delaney of NY Dolls, and bassist Tim Lefebvre whose played alongside the likes of James Taylor and Patty Austin.  Amid such a talented backdrop, Tamara Hey’s joyously soulful voice and deeply contemplative lyrics stand out, allowing her emotive ability to forge a personal connection between listener and song.  While there is obviously an immense level of talent, Hey has also been formerly educated in the elite settings of both the Performing Arts School and the renowned Berkeley College of Music.

Miserably Happy blends humor, sarcasm, wit, and introspection to create a feel good album with tons of pop vibes.  There’s too too much of a full band sound to be truly classify it as a singer/songwriter record, rather the album falls somewhere in the realm of folk rock, AAA, with subtle hints of country sensibilities.  Her diverse sound comes from a wide range of influences, but her interests seem primarily rooted in the realm of classic rock and its extensions, proclaiming herself as a Beatles-fanatic with a deep appreciation for the likes of Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, ELO, and Suzanne Vega.  Her voice echoes the same spinnability and freedom that characterizes the era of the flower children.  “Miserably Happy” the album’s titled track, rides a pleasant but bare melody, yet Hey’s ability to elevates a simple phrase “I’m so miserably happy” into a catchy hook transforms it into one of those songs that seems to linger in your mind long after the track is done.  Hey can best be described as a blending of Aimee Mann’s story telling prowess, Dido’s sincerity, and KT Tunstall’s poppy angst.  While the CD will certainly have you bobbing your head with a smile, I imagine the real pleasure to come with seeing Hey and her extremely talented band play a live set.  She currently plays a majority of shows throughout the New York City region, but as momentum gains behind this talented songstress, keep an eye for shows popping up throughout the Northeast region. 

Reviewed By Trevor Dye

Reviews, Trevor Dye Miserably Happy, Tamara Hey