After the 80s success, Hard Rock, Glam Metal and AOR had real hard times during the 90s, because the genres suffered a massive blow due the coming of the wave of Grunge Rock and Alternative Rock in the year of 1991 (common people seems to not like of two different things ate the same time). But as trends come and go, these genres came back, this time out of USA territory. And many works on such genres are being released today, giving a new embodiment to them, as can be heard on "Broken Soul", the second solo album of ROBLEDO (in reality, James Robledo, a known singer). On the album, one can feel the essence of what can be called as modern Hard Rock: the same melodic and hooking essence of the past, with remarkable choruses and all those elements that are good for health (a Hard Rock album a day can keep the doctors away).

Of course some can say that the songs of the album are heavy as Hell, but's a consequence of the whole modernization of the genre and the tunes used on the recordings, but the melodies are clear for everyone, and even some traces inherited from Power Metal can be clearly (as the guitar duets heard on "Real World"). And this album is really charming, with a great appeal, indeed. The production of "Broken Soul" is signed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (yes, the famous keyboardist once more he produces and album), and his name is a guarantee of something of high level. The songs are sounding clean and easy to be understood, but always with a modern outfit that makes the difference. It's a matter of hearing, understanding and falling in love with the album.

The listeners will find 11 songs on "Broken Soul", each one of them offering a escape for daily problems. But as a set for beginning with the album (or in other words, for the lazy ones that can't put an album and let it play entirely without jumping songs), the ones are "Broken Soul" (excellent heavy melodies with a massive works of the guitars), "Real World" (another very good set of melodies based on excellent guitars and with a heavy crush of bass guitar and drums), "Right Now, Right Here" (even with such heavy and modern approach, one can feel the accessible melodies catchy to the ears, and what excellent vocals), "Over" (the contrasts between deep melodic parts and heavier moments are showing the versatility of James' voice), "Every Day" (another song that bears an accessible scent), "Victims With No Crime" (this one is really great on its contrasts, because the musical weight becomes evident for them), and "Dead City Lights". But all the songs are really great.

ROBLEDO is really a fine name in Hard Rock, and more can be expected of this name in the future. For now, enjoy "Broken Soul" as much as you can.