Artist: Ramos - Hugo  
   Title: The Dream
   Label: Frontiers Records

Well here we are with an extremely anticipated release from Frontiers Records, featuring the guitar chops of Josh Ramos and the vocal prowess of Hugo Valenti (Valentine).  Hugo is of course noted for his uncanny ability to look like, sound like and even move like Steve Perry!  Josh Ramos is noted for his guitar contributions to The Storm, Two Fires and six stringer for hire with Hardline and I will be upfront about this, I have yet to be convinced by his performances with these bands. 

Straight off I will say that this album took more than a few listens to get into.  I was expecting immediate hooks and catchy choruses but my brain would not compute the sounds it was hearing straight away, so rotation was called for and a few early morning listens on the way to work. 

This album could be surmised as safe, 10 songs and running at over 50 minutes and features John Macaluso (Malmsteen, Riot, Ark and Starbreaker) on drums, Eric Ragno (Takara, China Blue) on keyboards and bass provided by producer Fabrizio Grossi, with the album mixed by the irrepressible Dennis Ward. 

Kicking off with 'You're Not Alone', a fast paced opener, the vocals seem a tad low in the mix but Josh Ramos makes his presence felt with some great driving guitar

'All That I Wanted' offers up much of the same with Ragno's keyboards more pronounced.  You can imagine this song on any Journey album.  Title track 'The Dream', takes us truly into Journey territory as you'll find yourself singing 'Don't Stop Believin' the chorus!!!! Scary.

'Fool's Game' goes for a more bluesy type vibe and finds itself the weakest song on the album, although Hugo gives a very good vocal performance on here.  Next up is 'Bring Back This Love', an uptempo number in the vein of the album's opening two tunes, with Ramos' guitar driving everything along and Ragno providing some keyboard layering.

Then we're onto 'I Don't Wanna Say Goodbye', a song that reminds me too much of the weaker parts of the last 'Two Fires' album.  'You Get Lonely' is a mid-paced tune but just doesn't seem to get started.

Then the Journey comparisons are brought out again for 'In The City', a ballad where Hugo let's loose with his best Perry-isms and Ramos tries to compete with Neal Schon.

'Tomorrow' starts off with some Ragno keyboards before Ramos kicks in that guitar and Hugo once again does his best Steve Perry, a rockin' tune.  Album closer 'I Can Take You' clocks in at 8 minutes long, lush keyboards, emotional vocals and some great guitar work from Ramos, especially at the end, a great ballad to close the album. 

Overall the sound of this album feels a little muted and doesn't quite have the kick I was expecting.  This could be down to the producer who's work I am not overly fond of, but here are some cool grooves on here John Macaluso tends to overplay on here, too much double kick when a more straight forward rhythm would have been enough.  Eric Ragno's keyboards are kept at the right level, not too overpowering and not too understated.  Hugo provides some fine vocals on here but there are singers out there who have more power and emotion and could probably do a better job overall.  Josh Ramos is definitely maturing and the solos on here are proof of that.  Whether this collaboration will continue is anybody's guess but take it for what it is, a very good melodic rock album.

Review by: Brassy

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