Tag: dokken (Page 1 of 2)

This is the second release after Dokken’s reformation for the Dysfunctional record in ’95. It’s also the album that Dokken fans hate the most. True, it is quite a dark and dissonant sounding album, but there are some killer moments to be heard. All things melody in rock had gone underground at this point, as all rock and metal was angry and mean sounding.

Puppet On A String opens up the album and it’s all about George. Great riff and groove, and the solo is awesome. Grunge had an effect on everyone and Cracks In The Ground shows that. That’s not to mean it’s a bad tune, it has elements of the Beatles and lots of Seattle vibes, also lots of George. Sky Beneath My Feet brings up the Beatles again, as those vocal harmonies are so reminiscent of the Fab Four.

My favourite tune is not a tune you would have associated with Dokken of old. The beat and groove are very busy and not your normal four to the floor, but this track rocks in all the right places. The other song that really shakes my tree is Sweet Life. Great simple riff and I love the way the song swings.

Correct, it’s not the best Dokken album, but it’s nowhere near as bad as people say.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

If you have seen any of the live clips of recent Dokken shows it’s fairly obvious that Don’s voice is pretty much shot. In the studio however, all sorts of voodoo can be applied to assist in the vocal recording process. Here, you can tell he is struggling in places to hit or hold notes but at least he is giving it his best.

I was expecting this to be the last Dokken album and then I read that Jeff Pilson said something recently about how he and George would like to do one last album with Don, so I guess time will tell.

Musically, this album is really good. John Levin is a great player, and he’s stamping his sound all over the proceedings, he is the highlight of this record. It’s standard hard rockin’ fair but played very well and the production is really loud and clear. This is one of the best latter day Dokken records, even with Don’s struggles.

Highlights for me are the heavy groove of Is It Me Or You with some killer guitar and some great layered vocals, the very similar track Saving Grace which has a great slower groove and Levin’s playing is top drawer here. My favourite track however is the opener, Fugitive. I love the eastern vibe at the intro and the riff and guitar sound are huge.

I will be sad when there are no more Dokken albums, but you can see the end coming.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Back to 1987 and what was the last of the four initial Dokken albums, and quite possibly their best. I’m a huge fan of The George, who is one the most gifted guitarists of his generation. There are lots of George’s solos and riffs to drool over on this album.

Kiss Of Death rips straight in, killer riff and groove to the song and the solo’s are killer. They could also write very good catchy singles and Prisoner is just that, a great hook but it’s that gang chorus that is the cherry on top. Standing In The Shadows is one of the band’s finest tunes. It has a killer George riff, simple groove, with a huge hook and chorus, and lots of George. My favourite track and George’s tour de force: Mr. Scary. It’s an instrumental that is just as iconic to him as Eruption was to EVH.

A great band, with a killer rhythm section, as well as the two main protagonists. It’s good to see Dokken still doing the rounds, but Don’s voice (which was never great) hasn’t aged very well. George however, is more prolific than he ever was. Great record!

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Well, summers here and I’m taking a little break until after Labour Day so I can escape my basement. Keep rockin’!!

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.