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Music Reviews:

Dokken – Lightning Strikes Again

Rhino Records – 2008

Lighting Strikes Again, yes indeed.  Dokken was languishing in mediocrity from the mid-90's until this new CD.  Ever since the personality disorder between Don Dokken & George Lynch this band has not been the same.  Sure they put out a couple decent albums but nothing really clicked.  Until now.

Infused with new found power, Dokken has been re-energized with Jon Levin's "Lynch-like" guitar playing and sound.  Lightning Strikes Again is really cool because it sounds like Dokken from the 80's but the songs aren't just rehashes from the past.

The band comes out fighting with "Standing On The Outside."  Levin's riff shows Dokken means business and it will have you hooked.  I first heard this album when I flew home to Seattle in June and my brother Sid blasted it on his car stereo.  I must note this was at 3:00am (the time I arrived in the Emerald City) and I enjoyed every second of it.

"Give Me A Reason" is another good example of this band's ability to balance hard rocking music with melody.

Every time I listen to the guitar solo in "Heart To Stone" I'd swear it was "Mr. Scary" performing it.

You wouldn't think Dokken would perform a song like "Disease" with it's dark vocals and aggressiveness but they play it superbly.  It might be the best drumming I've heard Mick Brown play in years.

Don Dokken is honestly a master at writing and singing tender ballads.  "How I Miss Your Smile" has this quality mixed with a cool, distorted guitar to give it a little teeth.  This tune doesn't feel contrived or forced.  It actually comes across sincere and heartfelt.

Jon Levin sets up "Oasis" with a cool grooving riff. The fast drum beat of "Point of No Return" will have you moving your head after the first minute.

Levin tears another riff in "Judgment Day" and his bluesy guitar fill within the song works beautifully.  This tune just rocks!

The Lynchian riff in "It Means" had me going.  I like how Levin switches from this rhythm to the psychedelic sounding guitar embellishment and then when he goes back to the main rhythm it feels even heavier.

I was surprised how "Release Me" got heavier quicker than I expected after the very beginning.

"This Fire" puts gasoline on the flames the band started burning from the first track.

Dokken is back!

www.rhino.com

www.dokken.net