Dokken was the band that almost ruled the 80’s but never quite hit the heights of some of their contemporaries, and who knows had the classic line up prevailed what they might have gone on to achieve. That of course is by the by, and Dokken, Lynch, Pilson and Brown parted ways what seems like eons ago now. So whilst there have been semi-reunions it always seemed extremely delicately poised.
I remember seeing both Dokken and Lynch Mob on the same Festival bill back in 2010 and after the show Don couldn’t get to his room fast enough in the hotel, whilst George played an afterparty till the small hours. I’ve interviewed both over the years and Mick and Jeff too and none gave a hint of teh fiery relationships that Dokken back in the day must have been. So with no chance of a reunion in this world I have to say that if this is to be the last ‘Dokken’ album though it’s fair to say that it’s a great way to go out.
It has been a while between 2012’s rather fine ‘Broken Bones’ and this years ‘Heaven Comes Down’ albums, and whilst in that time Sean McNabb and Jimmy DeGrasso have moved on, Jon Levin, now a veteran of 4 albums and 20 years with the band is still there applying the fire. New members Chris and BJ do a decent job and are both interestingly ex and current members of House of Lords. Interestingly too Mark Boals who supplied backing vocals on ‘Broken Bones’ is back here again to do the same.
So with ten new songs to delve into let’s hit ‘play’.
Opener ‘Fugitive’ has that wonderful build up before launching into a mid-tempo stomp off the back of a fluster of guitar. Don sounds upfront in the mix and the song is solid. It may not be vintage Dokken but it has almost all of the trappings you’d expect and trust me it’s a grower! ‘Gypsy’ that follows keeps that vibe, it’s another sizzling melodic rocker with fiery guitar and great melodies underlining that there are some very solid songs on here.
‘Is It Me Or You?’ changes things up a little with a slow and steady swaggering hard rocking Blues. It’s a sizzler a suits Don’s 2023 vintage vocals well. ‘Just Like A Rose’ is a classic Dokken melodic rocker with a cool refrain. It’s all good so far, even if it is all rather one paced. To be honest at this point in the album I was so happy that all the elements were there even though its clear that Don is in the comfort zone like on ‘I’ll Never Give Up’ a slower dreamier ballad that has echoes of some of past classics.
And we stay solid to the very end: there’s a light Zeppelinny stomp to the riff that backs ‘Saving Grace’ and a touch of Rainbow and the Orient. ‘Over The Mountain’ is another cool track that had me reaching for more modern day comparisons like Eclipse as it has that Folky/Celtic tinge that really clicks here. As we approach the run out the quality remains and the tempo slows: ‘I Remember’ adds a gentle yearning to the standard ballad; and ‘Lost In You’ another slow number, reaches out with a little more fire in the belly;. Closing track ‘Santa Fe’ eschews the electric for a very West Coast folky breezy melodic jaunt that tells Don’s tale of his Rock and Roll journey. I love the lyrics that seem to suggest both and end and a new beginning.
If this is the last word from Dokken as a band it’s a more than decent way to go out.
8 /10
Track Listing: 1 – Fugitive | 2 – Gypsy | 3 – Is It Me Or You? | 4 – Just Like A Rose | 5 – I’ll Never Give Up | 6 – Saving Grace | 7 – Over The Mountain | 8 – I Remember | 9 – Lost In You | 10 – Santa Fe
DON DOKKEN – Vocals | JON LEVIN – Guitar | CHRIS McCARVILL – Bass | BJ ZAMPA – Drums | Bill Palmer: acoustic guitar on ‘Santa Fe’ | Mark Boals: special guest (background vocals)
