Dokken's Best Album
alaskan glam-metal-head | Fairbanks, Alaska | 04/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is Dokken's awsome debut from 1982, and it is easily the best album they've ever released. I think it has a somewhat different atmosphere than on Dokken's following albums. There are more mid-paced songs on here, and fewer of the faster sort of metal songs that they would later make, such as Tooth and Nail's "Turn on the Action" and Under Lock and Key's "Lightnin' Strikes Again." Here Dokken spends more time feeling around in catchy melodies, harmonies and hooks, which are the qualities, as far as I'm concerned, that make glam metal most excellent.
In some ways, the songs on here are a little simpler than Dokken's later work. We all know what incredible technical ability this band is capable of - especially George Lynch, but in this case, less is more. You can hear some fantastic shredding from George on this album, but there's also some slower, very tasteful melodic playing. Just listen to his solo in "Breaking the Chains" - it's excellent. Don Dokken's vocal melodies and harmonies are outstanding as well, and drummer Mick Brown and bassist Juan Croucier make for a solid rhythm section.
I think that "Breaking the Chains," "In the Middle," "Felony," "I Can't See You," and "Seven Thunders" are all exceptionally excellent tracks, but really, the whole album is awsome. If you wanna start rockin' with Dokkin', start at the beginning!"