Dokken - Erase the Slate (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Premium Melodic Hard Rock

William V. Roland Jr. | CT | 12/04/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's so great to have an album like Erase The Slate. Every song has a hook, every solo a neat turn of phrase, and a sound that never was dated (don't listen to the naysayers-melodic hard rock always has a solid core audience). There's great pacing to this CD, high-energy power cuts like Erase The Slate, left-turns like Mick Brown's terrific vocal on Crazy Mary Goes Round, moody romantic fare like Change The World, and, perhaps best of all, a cover of Three Dog Night's One. Dokken make the song their own, and you see the connection between late 60s early 70s AM pop-rock and the crisp melodic trademark harmonies of Dokken. George Lynch may have left the band, but you couldn't ask for a better new member than Reb Beach, whose guitar work in Winger and session work with the Bee Gees always brought forth fluid and memorable solos. Secret weapon? As always, Jeff Pilson, who contributes solid bass work along with the collaborative songwriting. So they don't get played on the radio? It's radio's loss-the internet is the new gathering place for hard rock and metal fans anyway. Buy this album, you won't be disappointed."

JUST WHAT THE "DOKKTER" ORDERED

BUDDY HICKS | Broussard, LA USA | 11/24/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the final departure of George Lynch, many people wondered if Dokken could rise "up from the ashes". The burning question in everyone's mind was "Who in the world do you get to replace an icon like Lynch?". Answer: REB BEACH. "Erase the Slate" is possibly the most aptly named music release in a long time. Both Dokken and Reb Beach have past musical demons to exercise, and, after a listen to their latest effort, I can tell you that they are both "born again"! The CD opens with a punch right to the gut with the driving title track "Erase the Slate". Reb continues his aural assualt with "Change the World", "Maddest Hatter", and the atmospheric "Drown". Don Dokken's vocals are back to "Under Lock and Key" shape which really adds to the dynamics of this CD. The only disappointing thing about this CD is that there is no instrumental song showcasing Reb's fiery, acrobatic guitar work. There is no comparison between "Erase the Slate" and any other Dokken CD. Dokken have truly re-invented themselves and begun a new chapter in their musical history."

Dokken rocks on

Chris Larcen | The Silent Planet | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Erase the Slate" is the kind of album we need more of nowadays. Dokken has gone back to their signature sound of the 80's although it is a little heavier than 80's material. The opening title track kicks the album in to gear right away and is one of the highlights of the album. The riffs are very catchy, the songs well written, and Don's voice seems to be back to the "Under lock and Key" standard. Mick Brown makes a great lead vocal debut on "Crazy Mary goes round", another highlight of the album in my opinion. Reb Beach gave me the biggest surprise. George Lynch is one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived and I always viewed Winger as one of the worst bands in hard rock. So when I heard that Lynch was out again, I was pretty down. When I heard that the former guitarist in Winger was the new guitarist, I said "I have to hear this". I thought that Dokken may have taken a turn for the worst. As soon as the opening riff on "Erase the Slate" hit, I was impressed. I have gained more respect for Reb through this album. He is not as good as George Lynch of coarse, but he does a good job of filling in a spot which is hard to do successfully without sounding like a complete idiot. Reb fits in nicely. "Erase the slate" is one of Dokken's best albums and it is good to hear a band that still makes 80's music. I recomend it."

Continued Growth...Without Forgetting The Roots

Ockham's Razor | Ohio, USA | 06/07/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong -- I am quite open-minded and am into many genres of music...but in this post-alternative, rap-metal, pop-punk, three-chord, atonal, angst-ridden nation of ours, it's refreshing to hear blistering, solid, melodic hard rock that's about songs and harmony...and that's just what Dokken has delivered here.Let's keep one thing in mind..."Under Lock and Key" was FIFTEEN years ago, people...and "Back For The Attack" TWELVE. No, Dokken doesn't sound exactly the same as their 80's hair-band days...and why should they? Why deny a band or musicians the right to grow, evolve and mature? Think about it...do YOU speak or write or think the way you did fifteen years ago? You probably laugh about it now.Having said that, Dokken hits their stride and finds balance on "Erase The Slate", as the album is thoroughly grounded in their hard-rock roots while incorporating a dash of more modern influences. This is an excellent CD with no filler. "Erase The Slate" finds Dokken in fine form, with well-written and excellently arranged songs which feature smooth, melodic, multi-layered vocals over a heavy guitar crunch and a pounding rhythm section. It exhibits growth and maturity -- here Dokken preserves and updates their melodic hard rock/metal roots while acknowledging and giving the nod to the 90's...heavier groove and some "new metal" chord progressions and song structures. BUT NOT more than a nod...this is still Dokken through-and-through, just a bit more grown up. It seems they finally found their balance after the alt-extremes of "Shadow Life."On to the musicians...in my point of view, Mick Brown delivers some of his best work to date here. Expressive drumming with a great sense of arrangement and well-placed, technical fills...while keeping a deep groove. Jeff Pilson also delivers the goods...his bass playing here is thunderous and pulsing (not to mention his great BGV's). And yes, folks, George is gone. And while he cannot be replaced and his style was highly individualistic, Reb Beach brings a fresh new perspective both musically and technically. Where as George's strength was in his speed, technical ability, and barrage of licks, Rebs brings a new sense of fluidity and arrangement to the solos...with quite a good bit of speed himself to boot. And his rhythm playing is superb. George is one of the best in this scene...but Reb is not to be trifled with.Don's vocals are as smooth and expressive as ever...but I do agree with one reviewer -- he seems to have lost a bit of range in the higher register. It could be a result of time or of it just not fitting the music...but even when he hits 'em here, he seems to be missing a bit of projection. It's ok...he makes up for it in his phrasing and emotional delivery.Check out the rage and relentlessness of the Title Track and "Maddest Hatter"...the groove and slick 80's-influenced power of "Change The World"...and the pounding, dark aggression of "Shattered" and "Voice of The Soul". And by the way, one of the best cover songs I've ever heard...Three Dog Night's "One"."

Raging, blistering melodic metal!

Erik Nolan | Piscataway, NJ | 10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Dokken is back in a big way with this CD. Way better than the waytoo alternative "Shadow Life", this CD rocks from start to finish. New guitar player Reb Beach is able to cut loose a lot more here than he did in Winger. This is a heavy CD with tons of riffs and solos. It also has plenty of melody and Don Dokken still sounds terrific. This is a great CD."

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	Dokken Erase the Slate Genres: Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Metal Track Listings (11) - Disc #1 Erase the Slate Change the World Maddest Hatter Drown Shattered One - Dokken, Nilsson, Harry Who Believes Voice of the Soul Crazy Mary Goes Round Haunted Lullabye In Your Honor
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