Dokken � Long Way Home
Label: CMC / Sanctuary 
Rating: 
 

You can't teach an old dog new tricks and that is essentially true of Dokken, a band that made a real name for themselves in the 80's by delivering overly produced melodic hard rock with Don's sentimental vocals and George Lynch's heavily overdubbed guitar work. It worked well for the group during their heyday, fans clamored for each new album of melodic rock treasures the band put forth and their over the top hairspray laden look was a staple on MTV with every video the group produced. 

Fast forward to 2002 and Dokken is still rokkin in the same fashion. The music stays true to the classic Dokken format with a tiny bit of an update in style but not enough to turn away long time fans. They aren't trying to win over the hearts and ears of newer music fans, although a track like "You" has a surprising appeal to fans of the modern rock sound. But Dokken is smarter than that, they know where their audience lies and they don't fail to deliver what is expected of them. Yes Don's propensity toward ballads still produces the best songs from the band and the somber "Goodbye My Friend" is no exception. 

Bottom line: If you are a Dokken fan, you got a lot to love here. If you loath the classic hair rock of the 80's, don't look for Dokken to change their spots here, it's does happen, you can either commend or condemn them for sticking to their guns but there is no doubt that this is a Dokken record. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing is entirely up to the listener.