BAMBI – Complicated (2013)

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Listening “Complicated”, the album from female singer Bambi Graves – or simply BAMBI – I wonder why so many good indie artists like her do not use, at least, the social tools available today to promote their art.
Released a couple of months ago, “Complicated” went unnoticed not only for the specialized media, but for rock music fans as well, which is a shame.

Occurs that “Complicated” is a solid piece of female fronted US Melodic Hard Rock including a bunch or really good ’80s inspired cuts recalling Lita Ford, Lee Aaron, Vixen and alikes, packed with punchy melodic riffs and strong choruses.
Not even the personnel is listed in the recording credits, but seems this is a product managed by husband Bryan Graves who not only handles guitars and production, also several other instruments. Some drums are programmed yet feels lively and with the nice reverb necessary for the genre.
Anyway, what cares here are the good songs, and we find them in abundance.

Title track “Complicated”, the groovy “The Game” and the dynamic “Can’t Live” are the harder tunes on an album that is neatly arranged for an indie, and Bambi showcases a powerful set of pipes with a trained modulation.

My favorites are the Melodic Hard Rock numbers such as the catchy “Finish Line” – a moving track ala Romeo’s Daughter, and the extremely melodious and kinda AORish “Another Kind Of Love”. Both are the best tracks for me, wrongfully placed at the end of the disc.
Talking about a misguided track listing, another of the very good songs, “Slow Life”, appears as number 2, and considering it is the only ballad it should be at middle. Apart from that, this is a genuinely enjoyable composition with a very nice atmosphere.
Other tracks worth to mention are the Pat Benatar-like “Only What I Feel” featuring sensual leads by Bambi, jumping six-string work and cool background vocals, and the bass pumped / keyboard filled “Black Widow” which also offers a killer guitar solo.

“Complicated” is a solid independent female US Melodic Hard Rock release with a late ’80s style & sound. Good songs, well arranged and entertained all over.
Bambi Graves owns the typical fem-warrior register similar to the divas of this particular genre from twenty-five years ago, and it’s clear that she has a trained voice. Husband Bryan drives the music via some truly sharp rhythm guitars with Lynch-influenced solos, and the overall instrumentation is tight.
“Complicated” easily will find its way among fans of the diminished female fronted genre and Melodic Hard Rock aficionados in general through its polished melodies and cool riffs.
Recommended.

01 – Complicated
02 – Slow Life
03 – The Game
04 – Can’t Live
05 – Out Of The Blue
06 – Only What I Feel
07 – Black Widow
08 – Pain
09 – Another Kind Of Love
10 – Finish Line

Bambi Graves – Lead and Background Vocals
Bryan Graves – Guitars
rest of personnel not listed

BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/bambi2
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