One would think that the desire to listen to Journey would be small matter that is easily decided upon. However, as with all things, even this seemingly minor decision is not as simple as it seems. With bands inspired by Journey, or emulating Journey, Journey tribute bands and tribute albums, older *real* Journey discs, or newer ones with a Steve or without a Steve, and then there's the remakes of Journey classics with the band but having the new singer... ah its certainly alot of material to sift through. And now here comes another contender for your Journey craving consideration.

Vocalist Hugo (who's voice resembles Steve Perry's when he takes the fancy to) and guitarist Ramos have teamed up to make a very Journey-like album called, "The Dream". Hugo has had his own little cultish following ever since that one off Valentine album back a decade or so ago, and people love him either because he does sound like Perry (who hasn't exactly been singing all that much since the 80s disappeared) or simply for his smooth AOR-like deliveries. "The Dream" caters to the AOR audience, possessing the tracks with the barest touches of raw unfettered emotion. A brush of love's powerful, all consuming touch, a hint of simmering sorrow, the nagging bleakness of abandonment in loneliness. These are sprinkled over the tracks, giving them flavor and balance to keep them separated as individuals while still mining that syrupy backdrop. Ramos imbues the disc with his sense of fire and crystalline string work. His embellishments and catchy rhythms sweep the songs off their feet and keep them from falling into the average mark. Gracious, smooth, rather refined, "The Dream" in its entirety is a pleasant listen indeed. Cut into pieces as songs however, it lacks that knack of memorability. Flash in the pan, cream puff sweetness, take a bite, hear a song, blink your eyes and its memory is swept clean and gone.

"You're Not Alone" is about as rock as the album gets, sounding like an early 80s Journey B-side. A firm punch in the guitars that skip to the beat of a unique rhythm section gives the song flair beyond its function. For flowing melodic rock, like a shimmery stream catching ripples on a sun warmed day there's "All That I Wanted". Keys pumping in a retro manner give it a silvery sound. The melodies are as pure as the water's reflection, and a gorgeous Westcoast soft breeze of a chorus makes it just pop out as a diamond amongst the rocks. Hugo's flattery romance minded voice is spun sweet as fine sugar and soars into feathery effortlessness at the encouragement of the synthesizers.

"The Dream" is completely taken over by the Journey influence, pierced by guitars and struck by ice cold synth. Neither remarkable or forgettable, it lies comfortably inbetween. "Bring Back This Love" jangles the synth and dangles a melodic urgency, a carrot before the weary carthorse . A forthright intensity gives it energy and a perfect balance of melody makes it seem masterful.

Other highlights include "The City", notable for its lazy day, Sunday morning atmosphere. Refreshing in its caressing manner and laid back appreciation. "Tomorrow" twirls out positive promise in a tumbling mid rock range, "When You Get Lonely" has a strong guitar foundation, smoky vocals and pleasant piano melodies.
"I Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" has this pleading, hope bubble chorus and verses that sweep in convincingly of a love that is stubbornly refuses to be set aside and left to wither and die. Ramos' guitar cuts clean like a knife right through the middle, bursting that bubble inevitably. You can never force someone to love you... Ah, but the most ambitious of them all is "If I Can Take You", which defies the streamlined nature of AOR and sets itself up as this bold romantic gesture that smiles invitingly and flirts shamelessly with the word "epic". It's all the beautiful lyrical imagery and rising elegance stuffed into a lengthy track, more that one can almost possibly consume. A gentle lift of chorus, soft woven webs of guitar patterned behind it.. lovely and finding more altitude with the winging guitars taking to the skies.

Ramos Hugo's "The Dream" has many good songs and endearing qualities. It's almost enough to carry an entire album successfully. The Journey influence is a bit overdone at times, like taking a perfectly good steak and cooking it til its charred beyond recognition. The core is laid out to suggest originality but its quickly burned to that crisp so its more Journey tribute than a true Ramos/Hugo creation. The songs seem to flow into themselves a bit much, not enough flair and too much same sounding mushiness that gets desperate before the album concludes. Within its frame, "The City" seems almost like a revelation, being such a breather from everything else, but better examples of its respected genre offshoot can be found in the bands Street Talk, AOR or that obscure Corin/Edman one-off. A solid album no doubt, but one who's "The Dream" is of greatness, and somewhere within fails to achieve its ultimate titled goal.

Written by Alanna
Saturday, March 21, 2009
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Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

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