Tag: dokken (Page 1 of 2)

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.

This is the only Dokken album to feature Reb Beach on guitar. The band sort of split in ’89 as Don and George Lynch hated each other. They buried that hatchet (not in each other’s head) and got back together to record Dysfunctional and Shadowlife. Then, George had enough again and moved on, and Reb was brought in.

This is one of the best Dokken albums, as not only does Reb play some killer guitar, but he breathes new life into the band and the songs are really good. The opening and title track is a typical Dokken uptempo rocker with Reb just ripping it up. Change The World has a great groove and main riff, the hook and chorus are so cool. Mad Hatter is another four to floor rocker with a standard Dokken riff, but the chorus and hook are just fantastic, and the solo is insane. Drown slows the pace down with an evil riff, and a killer funky choppy groove. Side 1 closes out with Shattered and it’s a heavy power ballad; the middle eight solo is awesome.

One gets Side 2 under way with an amazing cover of the Harry Nilsson track. I like when bands do unusual choices for covers. Who Believes is ballad city, and is lifted greatly by some Reb Beach wizardry. Awesome intro to Voice Of The Soul that drops into the huge main riff. Crazy Mary Goes Round is such fun track and has drummer Mick Brown on vocals. Haunted Lullabye is a slow brooding rocker with a very cool riff, and I love the solo. The album closes out with In Your Honour and it’s ballad city with a very Beatles sounding middle section. Great album and often overlooked when talking about Dokken albums.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.