Post by Erik Rupp on Jan 16, 2011 2:22:07 GMT -5
After their Melodic Metal debut album, Breaking The Chains, Dokken built up a bit of a following. The album may not have been a huge hit, but it did earn them a solid fanbase. The heavier follow up, Tooth And Nail, cracked Dokken into the big time with the FM radio (and MTV) hits, "Alone Again," and, "Into the Fire." Guitarist George Lynch was also rapidly becoming the next Los Angeles guitar hero (along with Ratt's Warren DeMartini, following in the footsteps of Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads).
Dokken found a middle ground on Under Lock And Key. Combining the melodic approach of the first album with the heavier sound of the second, they found a hybrid sound that wasn't all that far removed from an Americanized version of Def Leppard's Pyromania album. The result was a successful album that had several MTV hits.
Under Lock And Key features several of Dokken's best songs, including, "In My Dreams," (which features a monumentally melodic chorus melody and some fantastic music), "It's Not Love," (which is somewhat AC/DC-esque while still retaining the Dokken sound), "Unchain The Night," (a minor Dokken epic), and "The Hunter," (which was another of Dokken's patented mid-tempo songs with some really good riffing and great vocal melodies and hooks). These are all very, very strong, very well crafted songs that had the melody to win over female fans, while being heavy enough to keep the guys on board.
Under Lock and Key also features the rip roaring "Lightning Strikes Again," one of their best, "Fast and heavy," songs, as well as, "Slippin' Away," the follow up to, "Alone Again" from Tooth And Nail. "Slippin' Away," is actually almost as good as, "Alone Again," and if it missed the mark set by that song it didn't miss it by much.
The production on Under Lock and Key is excellent, with a great guitar tone and a fantastic mix. It is a great sounding album beyone the quality of the music. Neil Kernon and Michael Wagener did a great job in the studio on this one.
For a combination of power and melody with some great hooks you can't find anything better than Under Lock And Key. As good? Maybe, but certainly not better.
4.5/5