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RELEASED: May 13 2008/ Eur April 11 2008
PRODUCER: Don Dokken
LABEL: Frontiers/ Rhino
BAND:
Don Dokken (vocals)
Mick Brown (drums)
Jon Levin (guitar)
Barry Sparks (bass) |
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Classic sound, Songs
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It Means |
TRACKS:
1."Standing On The Outside" 2. "Give Me A Reason" 3. "Heart To Stone" 4. "Disease" 5. "How I Miss Your Smile" 6. "Oasis" 7. "Point Of No Return" 8. "I Remember" 9. "Judgment Day" 10. "It Means" 11. "Release Me" 12. "This Fire |
OVERVIEW
It has been four years since the release of "Hell To Pay", and the upcoming "Lightning Strikes Again" illustrates the band in a different direction than their previous release. Dokken return to their old school roots unleashing powerful shredding guitar riffs, that follow in the "Tooth and Nail" and "Under Lock And Key" vein infused with soaring Don Dokken signature style vocals reminiscent of their heyday.
Over the years Dokken has gone through major changes with the departure of George Lynch and Jeff Pilson. On "Lightning Strikes Again", guitarist Jon Levin steps up to the plate and demonstrates his best Lynch shredding guitar riffs that will trick you into thinking you are listening to vintage Dokken via 1986.
SONGS
Opening track,” Standing On the Outside" has Dokken returning to the classic Dokken sound reminiscent of the great guitar hooks on "Dysfunctional". and "Under Lock And Key". Don Dokken belts out the lyrics to this song with a vengeance. Soaring into,” Give Me A Reason".
One of my favorite is "Heart To Stone". The minor chord changes and heartfelt lyrics shine on this song. The song has a haunting melody that captures you from start to finish. It would be perfect choice for the single, as it sounds like classic Dokken with the classic guitar hooks and powerful vocals that when you hear the first opening chords, you know it is Dokken back with a vengeance.
Jon Levin told me that the band didn't want the album to all sound alike, and "Disease" is a perfect example of the new modern sound that was graced upon on Dokken's previous release,” Hell To Pay" and carried over to "Lightning Strikes Again" with this song. The layered vocal track kind of sounds a little muddled at times and reminiscent of "Puppet On A String
What would a Dokken album be like without a ballad or two? I really enjoy listening to a band that knows how to rock, but at the same time can sing a ballad as beautifully as Don Dokken can
"How I Miss Your Smile", is a prime example of the melodic side of Dokken.
Another favorite is "Oasis", the Lynch inspired guitar riffs, and classic Dokken sound make this song one of the strongest on the CD. For all the hard hitting Dokken fans, who love the fast songs,” Point Of No Return", will remind you of classic "Tooth and Nail", at its best. The riveting guitar work of Jon Levin, and thunderous rhythm section of Mick Brown and bassist Barry Sparks unleash a powerful fury. Slowing things down for just a moment, Don sings a beautiful ballad,” I Remember" that follows in the vein of The Scorpions. Slamming into "Judgment Day", this song reminds me a lot like "Kiss Of Death" with the pounding rhythm section and heavy vocal style.
Next up is "It Means". This song kind of has a grunge appeal, and probably the only weak song on the CD. The band turns up the heat, with "Release Me", as this could be the theme song for the entire album.
The stellar 12 song "Lightning Strikes Again" ends on a high note with the fast paced,” This Fire".
CONCLUSION
"Lightning Strikes Again" has been four years in the making. Don Dokken and Jon Levin took their time to bring the fans an album filled with vintage Dokken that launched the band from Sunset Strip onto the charts. It is filled with the classic love gone wrong songs, but also takes a step in a modern direction with tracks like "Disease", Judgment Day", which deals with the chaotic state the world is in today.
Deb Rao
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