You have to admit Dokken make consistently good records, even in the dark days of grunge and beyond. This album came out in 2002 with only two original members: Don and Mick Brown. They are joined by Barry Sparks on bass and Europe’s John Norum on guitar.
I’m a huge George Lynch fan, and if you’ve read any of my reviews with George’s involvement you know I go overboard a bit. I’m also a big John Norum fan, and when I heard he joined up with the band I was very interested to see what great sounds he would make.
Well, the first track Sunless Days is a stone cold classic and easily my favourite track. A killer dropped down riff from Norum drives the song along. It has a great groove, and the melody and hook are top drawer. Little Girl is a different beast altogether with the emphasis on the melody and chorus. Everybody Needs To Be With Someone starts with a messed up Paperback Writer riff and then it’s all about the hook and chorusm, with an added tasty solo from John. You follows, and the main riff and intro harmony reminds me of KingsX. In fact, the whole song has that X vibe (not a bad thing may I add) – killer snappy solo as well. Side 1 closes out with Goodbye My Friend and yup, it’s ballad time.
Over to Side 2 and Magic Road. A great old school fuzzed riff with drop d groove and a killer solo. There Was A Time is ballad number two, and it sounds very Eurovision Song Contest. Heart Full Of Soul’s main riff will be very familiar to you. Maybe I should hold a competition? Under The Gun is a classic uptempo Dokken rocker with the chuggas driving the song along. The album close out with ballad number three, I’ve Found. Too many ballads don’ old chap.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
