Dokken – “Heaven Comes Down”
Label: Silver Lining Music
Rating: 7.5/10
Review: Will
I decided a long time ago that I wouldn’t be ponying up any more money to see Dokken live again. Don had one of the best, most recognizable voices within the rock genre in the 80’s and early 90’s. He was easily one of my top 5 singers of the time. But that time has passed.
Don would be the first to admit that he can’t hit a lot of those notes that he was famous for, but that hasn’t stopped him chugging along for the past decade or so. I know, I know… It may seem petty to discuss Don’s vocals, but it’s his name on the front of the album and that’s what most of us are tuning in to hear.
With all that out of the way… I was very pleasantly surprised by this album. Yes, I cringed a little as I heard the first notes from opener “Fugitive”, but I have to tell you, although it doesn’t hit the heights of “Under Lock and Key”, “Tooth and Nail” or even the very underrated “Erase The Slate”, it provides a healthy handful of songs that allow this album to fit very well into the middle section of the Dokken discography.
There’s no great vocal range changes (Definitely not into the higher register) and for the most part it works within the confines of each song. After all, if any of these are to be performed live they’ll have to stay aligned with Don’s current vocal abilities. But there are definitely a few gems on this album.
Up-tempo opener and first single, “Fugitive” kicks off the album with a great intro that folds into a really catchy rocker. Again, Don’s vocals may give you an eye twitch when the vocals first kick in, but stick with this album. The rock continues with “Gypsy” and then goes mid-tempo for a couple of songs with “Is It Me Or You?” and “Just Like a Rose”.
One thing I noticed after a few listens was that some of the choruses were a bit repetitive, but still enough diversity to keep me entertained. Of course every Dokken album has it’s ballads, and this one is no exception. Even though “I’ll Never Give Up”, “I Remember” (Do I hear a tinge of “Alone Again” at the start of this?) and “Lost In You” don’t reach the heights of some of those early ballads, they are still quality songs that will grow on you with each listen.
The most surprising song on the album is saved for last. “Santa Fe” (Where the album was recorded) kind of catches you off guard. It’s an acoustic (courtesy of producer Bill Palmer), biographical gem that probably sits as one of Don’s most personal songs.
The musicianship on “Heaven Comes Down” is definitely a highlight. Chris McCarvill (bass) and BJ Zampa (drums) keep this album pumping along, but man, Jon Levin’s guitar work shines on this album. I’d say that there are a few homages to George Lynch’s style, and in many places this certainly has the sound of old school “Dokken”, but Levin has come up with some amazing riffs and solos.
I’d say that this is lucky number 13 for the Dokken name and probably the best album that Don’s put out since “Erase The Slate”. Well worth shelling out some cash to add this to the collection.
