Josh Ramos is a guitarist I know very little about. I know that he’s been in bands such as Two Fires and The Storm, bands that has made little to no impression on me what so ever. But to me, he’s mostly known as Johnny Gioeli’s side-kick when he decided to re-start Hardline in 2002. Ramos recorded three records with Hardline before he left/was forced out in 2016, when Gioeli decided to use Frontiers’ house-band as Hardline members. To be honest, the second coming of Hardline was always more of a Gioeli solo-project under the Hardline moniker and many of those records has been underwhelming. I can’t say that my expectations here are high although I do look forward to see what Ramos has come up with when he’s the man himself.
I know the introduction might seem a bit negative here which wasn’t my intention at all. So on a positive note, it’s really interesting to see the vocalist guests Ramos has gathered for his debut. Great voices like Terry Illouis (XYZ, Great White), Eric Martin (Mr Big, Avantasia) and the last ever recording from the late Tony Mills (Shy, TNT) make their presence here. No matter how high or low – or if I have any at all – I go into a new album with, I always take on a new record with an open mind no matter what. So let’s take a listen and see what Mr Ramos has come up with on his own, then.
Opener “Today’s The Day”, featuring one Joe Retta (Heaven & Earth) at the mike – a guy haven’t listened all that much to – blasts away in a heavy and really punchy direction, something I really hadn’t expected and it sends out some Lynch Mob vibes. It’s melodic alright but it’s also quite rough around the edges and it holds a big groove with an early 90’s Melodic Rock chunk. Retta is a good singer albeit not exceptional but fits the song like a glove. A good, meaty rocker with a good enough refrain. The oh so underrated Terry Illouis takes on the slower paced, darker laden and stripped rocker “Unbroken”. It’s heavy rock for sure but also bluesy on a beefy and solid rhythm with a clear nod back to the mid 70’s. Ramos masters this tune with all the glory but as a song it’s an ok tune, not more. The winner here is Illouis who brings the tune up a level or two.
The brilliant Danny Vaughn (Tyketto, ex-Waysted) takes on the upbeat half-ballad “Blameless Blue” and needless to say, he nails it. He always nails his shit! It’s a softer Melodic Rock track that holds a flowing groove with big pop-vibes where pre-reunion Europe meets late 80’s Whitesnake. Never short of hooks, a memorable main-melody and a damn catchy chorus makes this track a winner. Tony Harnell (TNT) has always been a favorite singer of mine but his latest projects (Starbreaker, Lovekilllers) has been underwhelming. Therefore I’m happy to state that he delivers the goods in the 70’s laden rocker “Immortal” – and so does the song. The verse is more laid-back, ballad-style, a bit trippy, early 90’s Arena Rock style but it goes crunchy and rowdy when the chorus says hello to some Led Zeppelin influenced riffing and a main melody that’s all Whitesnake before they went glam. Distinct and striking with a juicy live-feel and an in-your-face refrain, this song is kicking up dust for sure. Very good.
Retta is back at the mike with the edgy rocker “Same Ol’ Fears”, a song with a sleazy guitar grit on a big groove. It’s a 70’s laden, juicy cruncher with beefy live-feel and rowdier outlook. It’s a Classic Rock stomper with a driven and in-your-face refrain. Good one. The pop-groovy, mid-paced Melodic Rock number “I’ve Been Waiting” is fronted by Harem Scarem singer Harry Hess and as always, he does a fantastic job. With a somewhat gritty guitar-sound and a Hard Rock outlook, it sure is reminiscent of Hess’ day-job much because of Hess’ voice and the vocal-melody. The big refrain is filled with hitty hooks and is distinctive and very catchy. Very good.
Moving on (sic!) with “Moving On”, featuring the new Baby’s singer John Bisaha, is a crispy blues-rocker that holds a raspy groove and an earthy and stripped arrangement. The song comes off as a heavier Great White mixed with the Brian Howe version of Bad Company, rhythmic and punchy yet melodic in a Classic Rock way. I quite like it. Eric Martin takes hold of “Forefather”, a slow, stripped and soulful ballad with some crispy blues-licks from Ramos’ guitar, some gospel-like arrangements and a groundy feel all over. Martin’s vocals is superb, very compelling and mesmerizing and the chorus is very catchy albeit not in a radio-friendly, power ballad kind of way. Very good.
“Too Good To Be True” holds another Retta vocal – will he be the vocalist if Ramos takes this on tour? – is a heavy and bombastic Heavy Rock belter with a 70’s swing, Led Zep riffing and gritty enough to rock hard with robust grooves but also melodic enough to give the tune a very memorable pop-twist when it comes to vocal-melodies. The chorus is concise and distinct and sticks right from go without being pop-sugary at all. Very good. It’s Ramos himself’s turn to shine on the slow, down-to-earth instrumental “Ceremony”, where Ramos brings along both lots of feel and a good, chunky technique. Ramos plays the song very well but as a song, it sounds just like another instrumental guitar-piece.
Leading single “All Over Now”, the fourth track with Retta singing, is an uptempo, raunchy pop-rocker – fast-tracked with some AOR melodies not a far cry from how Journey sounded on their last album. The tune brings along a crunchy and rough-edged beat and holds a melodic, quite poppy refrain with a decent hook. The song is ok but it never really sticks with me, quite easily forgotten. The album closes with latest single “I’m Only Human”, Tony Mills’ last-ever recording (RIP). It’s a slow, bluesy ballad where smooth melodies, a slick outlook meets crunchy guitars with some Classic Rock touches. The chorus is ok but unfortunately, the song is quite forgettable and is more or less saved by Mills’ awesome vocal-effort.
Josh Ramos debut solo album – the 2003 effort Living In The Light was more of a band situation – is, I must admit, an uneven give that mixes some great songs with some more forgettable stuff but with singers like these involved, it never gets really bad. It’s also a grower. The first time I heard it, it didn’t make an impression on me at all but after a few spins, it did improve. The production is rawer and more groundy than I had expected but that being said, it’s a bit canned and at time gives impression of being a DIY demo of sorts – the album would have benefitted from a better production without a doubt. Will I pick this album up again after reviewing it? Sure I will, it’s good enough – and I take this over some of the Hardline albums Ramos has been involved in. It’s a good album but a few steps away from great.
5/10
Tracklist:
1. Today’s The Day (Joe Retta on vocals)
2. Unbroken (Terry Ilouis on vocals)
3. Blameless Blue (Danny Vaughn on vocals)
4. Immortal (Tony Harnell on vocals)
5. Same Ol’ Fears (Joe Retta on vocals)
6. I’ve Been Waiting (Harry Hess on vocals)
7. Moving On (John Bisaha on vocals)
8. Forefather (Eric Martin on vocals)
9. Too Good To Be True (Joe Retta on vocals)
10. Ceremony (Instrumental)
11. All Over Now (Joe Retta on vocals)
12. I’m Only Human (Tony Mills on vocals)
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