Broken Bones [CD+DVD, Deluxe Edition]

Dokken | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: CD+DVD, Deluxe Edition
• Label: Frontiers Records
• ASIN: B008O33S0O
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,698 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Dokken exploded out of the red-hot hard rock/heavy metal scene in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. Such classic albums as Tooth and
Nail , Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack were all multi-platinum smash hits. Songs like "Alone Again", "Just Got Lucky", "Into
the Fire", "In My Dreams", "Unchain the Night", "Dream Warriors", "Burning Like a Flame" and "Heaven Sent" are still regarded among the
genre s finest compositions. Dokken shared the stage with the likes of AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith, Judas Priest, Van Halen, Kiss, Scorpions
and Bon Jovi, just to name a few.
Dokken have been touring and recording since there arrival on the rock scene in the early 80s and are now delivering their 11th studio
album. Broken Bones is a true return to their classic sound, following the path that Dokken took with their last release 2007 s highly
successful, "Lightning Strikes Again .
Dokken are going back to the roots of their sound and with a monster production, unearthing the hot riffs and soaring melodies that built
the band s success. Broken Bones rocks hard but still has incredible melodies, which is exactly what Dokken fans have been waiting for!
DOKKEN is now Don Dokken (vocals), Mick Brown (drums), Jon Levin (guitar) and Sean McNabb (bass). The album was mixed by Bob St.
John (Extreme, Zappa).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Rokken like Dokken as they ride into their last sunset......... September 27, 2012

By George W. Robbins

Format:Audio CD

Rumored to be Dokken's last studio album of new material this is definitely as some others have correctly stated the best release of the Don/Jon Levin collaborations. Clearly Levin has established himself as Dokken's best guitarist since legend George Lynch departed for the 2nd time in 1997. Hired guns Reb Beach and John Norum were excellent replacements but in Levin Don found a talented guitarist who could play like George but also co-exist in a band setting. Broken Bones is a no-holds barred pedal to the metal for Levin who shines brightly both in his play and his tone. It's the best since his idol George Lynch in the Back For The Attack era. Guitar freaks will appreciate the nasty, crunchy, and fiery sound coupled with some tasty bluesy licks and bone crunching riffs. Don sounds much better than he did on 2008's Lightning Strikes Again due to throat surgery in 2010. Bassist Sean McNabb is a welcomed addition driving a tight rhythm section with longtime drummer "Wild" Mick Brown. The classic Dokken harmonies are here as are Don's penchant for lyrics regarding disastrous relationships. Some very hooky well written choruses are present and well as an album recorded with very solid production values. If this is indeed Dokken's swan song it is a fitting and surprisingly excellent finish to a storied career VH1's Behind The Music would have a field day with.

On a personal note I witnessed a concert by the band Sept 21st here near Buffalo, NY and I can attest Dokken was red hot. Don doesn't hit the high notes anymore and the songs are slightly tuned down to accommodate his register but he can still sing very well. Sean McNabb is a great musician and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso is filling in for "Wild" Mick who of course is touring with Ted Nugent.... Again Jon Levin is an excellent guitarist who has emerged from his idol's shadow and has carved his own impressive legacy. Too bad this could be Dokken's "Last Goodbye". Go see them if you can. \m/\m/

Standout tracks

Empire - the best Dokken song since Kiss Of Death. Fans of the fence if this song doesn't get your blood pumping then nothing will. Think Tooth And Nail mixed with Til The Living End. A great start to the album.

Best Of Me - solid mid-tempo rocker with a catchy chorus. Great solo from Jon.

Blind - this song really grew on me. A bluesy tune with a killer riff from Jon.

Victim Of The Crime - has a Egyptian/Moroccan vibe to it with a great chorus from Don.

Burning Tears - probably my 2nd favorite track on the album and sounds like it could have been from Don's solo album Up From The Ashes with a bit of the Dysfunctional album vibe.
Another solid driving riff by Jon and guitar solo.

Today - Don likes covering obscure songs from other artists and puts his spin on this Jefferson Airplane song. A nice change of pace to the album.

For The Last Time - a solid tune that starts off slow then kicks into gear. A fretboard blistering solo from Jon. Read more ›

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best since Back For The Attack.... September 27, 2012

By B. L. Spitler

Format:Audio CD

This is Dokken's best studio album since "Back For The Attack". These tunes are the most well written since that era. The catchy hooks and choruses are back....great group vocals....and blistering guitar work from Mr. Levin. Songs like "Empire" and the title track "Broken Bones" could have been on the afore mentioned album. If Don is right and this is Dokken's last album, they are going out with a bang! I have been a huge fan of the band since "Breaking The Chains", and Ive felt that the last several albums suffered from lack of energy and a very doomy feel. But this cd kicks ass. They sound great....you are not going to hear Don hitting those high register notes anymore....but then, he is about 60 years old now lol. He has done a great job on this cd. Very good stuff, and an album that oldschool diehard Dokken fans will love to add to their collection for repeated listens!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't let it end September 29, 2012

By abbatude

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Few bands have given me more pleasure over the past 30 years than Dokken. Even without George, without Jeff, and a weakened (and at times embarrassing) Don, this band is still one-of-a-kind. No matter the lineup, Dokken is still capable of delivering a little magic on every release. Jon Levin is incredible. Never thought I'd say this but I almost don't miss George. The ultimate complement a Dokken fan can pay...Levin is that good. The first and last 3 songs on Broken Bones are up to the Dokken's best standards and the 5 tunes in the middle are all still totally enjoyable. Don's vox are not as strained as on Lightning Strikes Again - he seems to have found a register where he can still sound smooth. (of course, Mark Boals in the background doesn't hurt but cheating is allowed at this age)

Keep it going, Don - we're still out there.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The best for last? November 17, 2012

By SV

Format:Audio CD

Chances are if you've sampled or even just read reviews of "Broken Bones" you're a lot like me, a headbanger from the 80's whose tastes have morphed over the years but still has a sentimental weakness for the genre. I first witnessed Dokken in concert back in 1984 and have made albums like "Under Lock and Key" among my favorites. In taking in a few samples of this release I made sure that I had a sober realization that he's pushing 60. A recent YouTube viewing of him live in concert (where Lynch crashes the party, no doubt!) helped reinforce that reality. Truth be told, I had up until now written Don and his incarnation of the band off after what I considered the swan-song gem of "Erase the Slate", especially after grabbing a hold of Lynch and Pilson's "Wicked Underground" and finally with Don putting the brakes on a much-awaited reunion of the original lineup a few years back.

Enter this title. Much of the positive reaction is well warranted with some minor caveats. One of the first elements I try to soak in when checking out a hard rock LP is the guitar and I can honestly say that as a guitarist for most of those 30 years who made Lynch one of my influences I find Jon Levin INCREDIBLY impressive. His 'element' is really a strong derivative of GL; he has wound up doing Lynch better than Lynch himself. His expression, passion and proficiency are something that I have to say however are missing in much of the former's contemporary efforts. The rest of the band, 'Wild' Mick Brown (good to see him hanging in there) and Sean McNabb are serviceable but somewhat subdued with Levin and Don in the foreground. To be fair, that's pretty much par for the course in the Dokken realm, so no major disappointments in the rhythm department....

The vocals and songsmithing are, refreshingly, one of the big surprises with this album. If I had to compare this to a previous effort I'd have to say this reminds me of the "Shadowlife" era. A little less (understandably) of the wailing notes from the late 80's and more of a holistic approach of multi-layered chorus and well-fashioned hooks. Don's registers are a bit more limited and most shouldn't expect anything different. That being said, his lead vocals still mix well with the harmony and stand out with some very tasteful vibrato. You can wish for the sheer power and range of Ripper Owens,Todd LaTorre or James LaBrie but I think that would really detract from the essence of this release. Lyrically, much of the "hard times in love" theme is replete and quite consistent with much of the matter in cuts from the previous two decades.

So why the four stars, you ask?

As well as Levin executes on this album I believe that his mix doesn't seem to fit his style. To that I would almost say "don't be afraid to crank it up!" a little. As alluded to before, the rhythm section is slightly muddled--I can't really make out the bass lines discernibly at all. Some of the songs that previous reviewers have found appealing due to their retro tactics I've found to be a little unoriginal. Case in point-"Empire", with its blazing pace and commensurate solo are quite the fusion (almost to the measure) of "Tooth and Nail" and "Lightning Strikes". On a more positive note, Don pulls off yet another awesome cover from the era that has obviously influenced him the most--the late '60's/early 70's (seriously, check out "One" sometime). "Today" is beautiful, haunting and resonant. Tracks like "The Victim of the Crime", "Burning Tears" and "Tonight" are very apropos and should satiate most Dokken fan's appetites.

In sum, this is overall a very solid magnum opus but may leave the head banging masses yearning even more for a final reunion call. It did for me. Read more ›