CD REVIEW: "Complications" by Carol Martini

Carol Martini, a longtime favorite of southern California's coffeehouse scene, just released her latest CD Complications, her first album since The Fine Art of Singing While Drowning back in pre-pandemic 2018. Now she gives us yet another collection of songs about love and loss, by turns quirky and poignant, 23 of them in all. 

Martini is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose songs are on a constant quest to find an appreciative audience. Her way with lyrics is unique, personal, like heartfelt letters from a constant friend. To pick any one song here that rises above the others is difficult, because they're all standouts in their own way. 

Song publishers and record producers looking for new material would be well advised to listen to Martini's entire catalog. If you don't know Martini, you'd be advised to start with another one of her albums first, and then savor Complications, because unfortunately the majority of songs here come across as demos, not as finished polished productions. Whatever tempo or melody the songs may have, the music and arrangements are indistinct. 

Martini would be well-advised to work with a highly experienced arranger and producer, maybe even someone from the classical field, to give songs like these some special touches and more like the kind of hooks that get radio airplay, instead of something that sounds computer-generated even when it's not.

Thanks to Carol for thanking me in the album credits!    

Websites for Carol Martini and her music:

Artist's own website:  https://carolmartini.net/

Artist's Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/carol.martini.3781

Tower Records:  https://towerrecords.com/products/carol-martini-complications

Collector's Choice Music:  https://www.ccmusic.com/carol-martini-complications/791406502655

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Complications-Carol-Martini/dp/B09WRS7ZF1/ref=sr_1_7?

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