Judging by the opening of lead track "Can't Stop Loving You," this is either an out-take from last year's King Kobra "B-sides & Rarities" thing that I somehow missed or, we're dealing with some seriously underproduced material here!

Not half bad though; a nice mix of keyboards, catchy chord changes and inspirational singing along similar lines of a Steve Perry, maybe even a Rik Emmett.

And so what's wrong with that anyway, I miss them both!

Where'd they come up with a name like Hugo?

Doesn't quite fall into the whole melodic rock/AOR thing. but man this sounds like just about everything you've heard back in the day that for one reason or another doesn't belong in the here and now, but times do change.

The production's actually improved the further we go and there's a definite talent that lurks beneath the glistening pop surface. Oh, now I've got it, Hugo is the guy's name!

Okay, now it makes sense. Obviously getting his start during the Bon Jovi heyday, Hugo, you may remember as once fronting a pop/metal act called Valentine, got a start doing Journey covers and here's no surprise as soon as he sings the first note-in fact from a distance, he even looks like Perry!

His first solo outing features a solid run of catchy guitar rock, backed most favorably by Ten's Vinny Burns-who's liable to make a bigger name for himself aiding other musicians than he might in his own band-and a pleasant atmosphere that lends itself wholly to the melody of the moment.

The first ballad we come across is "Last One More Time" and is a real heart-tugger based on the always difficult circumstances of outing a relationship. of course the listening audience may have to think back ten or fifteen years to actually realize this.

No its not for mature audiences only but does cater to the once young crowd who for better or worse, have cemented their personal lives long ago!

I've always had a soft spot for the lighter side of heavy rock-if that makes any sense-but bands like Journey, Whitesnake, Shy, Silent Rage. and more recently Danger Danger's new one and Ten, it's amazing to think this door's still remained open all these years where true human emotion is allowed to walk through.

Hugo's "Time on Earth" takes a momentary look back to when rock and roll had more to do with personal feelings rather than personal issues. a classy presentation by some fine musical talents-and a slick cover of Triumph's "Magic Power!"

Released by Frontiers Records

Review By Vinnie Apicella