Customer Reviews

Erase the Slate

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With the final departure of George Lynch, many people wondered if Dokken could rise "up from the ashes". The burning question in everyone's mind was "Who in the world do you get to replace an icon like Lynch?". Answer: REB BEACH. "Erase the Slate" is possibly the most aptly named music release in a long time. Both Dokken and Reb Beach have past musical demons to exercise, and, after a listen to their latest effort, I can tell you that they are both "born again"! The CD opens with a punch right to the gut with the driving title track "Erase the Slate". Reb continues his aural assualt with "Change the World", "Maddest Hatter", and the atmospheric "Drown". Don Dokken's vocals are back to "Under Lock and Key" shape which really adds to the dynamics of this CD. The only disappointing thing about this CD is that there is no instrumental song showcasing Reb's fiery, acrobatic guitar work. There is no comparison between "Erase the Slate" and any other Dokken CD. Dokken have truly re-invented themselves and begun a new chapter in their musical history.

It's so great to have an album like Erase The Slate. Every song has a hook, every solo a neat turn of phrase, and a sound that never was dated (don't listen to the naysayers-melodic hard rock always has a solid core audience). There's great pacing to this CD, high-energy power cuts like Erase The Slate, left-turns like Mick Brown's terrific vocal on Crazy Mary Goes Round, moody romantic fare like Change The World, and, perhaps best of all, a cover of Three Dog Night's One. Dokken make the song their own, and you see the connection between late 60s early 70s AM pop-rock and the crisp melodic trademark harmonies of Dokken. George Lynch may have left the band, but you couldn't ask for a better new member than Reb Beach, whose guitar work in Winger and session work with the Bee Gees always brought forth fluid and memorable solos. Secret weapon? As always, Jeff Pilson, who contributes solid bass work along with the collaborative songwriting. So they don't get played on the radio? It's radio's loss-the internet is the new gathering place for hard rock and metal fans anyway. Buy this album, you won't be disappointed.

"Erase the Slate" is the kind of album we need more of nowadays. Dokken has gone back to their signature sound of the 80's although it is a little heavier than 80's material. The opening title track kicks the album in to gear right away and is one of the highlights of the album. The riffs are very catchy, the songs well written, and Don's voice seems to be back to the "Under lock and Key" standard. Mick Brown makes a great lead vocal debut on "Crazy Mary goes round", another highlight of the album in my opinion. Reb Beach gave me the biggest surprise. George Lynch is one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived and I always viewed Winger as one of the worst bands in hard rock. So when I heard that Lynch was out again, I was pretty down. When I heard that the former guitarist in Winger was the new guitarist, I said "I have to hear this". I thought that Dokken may have taken a turn for the worst. As soon as the opening riff on "Erase the Slate" hit, I was impressed. I have gained more respect for Reb through this album. He is not as good as George Lynch of coarse, but he does a good job of filling in a spot which is hard to do successfully without sounding like a complete idiot. Reb fits in nicely. "Erase the slate" is one of Dokken's best albums and it is good to hear a band that still makes 80's music. I recomend it.

Don't get me wrong -- I am quite open-minded and am into many genres of music...but in this post-alternative, rap-metal, pop-punk, three-chord, atonal, angst-ridden nation of ours, it's refreshing to hear blistering, solid, melodic hard rock that's about songs and harmony...and that's just what Dokken has delivered here.

Let's keep one thing in mind..."Under Lock and Key" was FIFTEEN years ago, people...and "Back For The Attack" TWELVE. No, Dokken doesn't sound exactly the same as their 80's hair-band days...and why should they? Why deny a band or musicians the right to grow, evolve and mature? Think about it...do YOU speak or write or think the way you did fifteen years ago? You probably laugh about it now.

Having said that, Dokken hits their stride and finds balance on "Erase The Slate", as the album is thoroughly grounded in their hard-rock roots while incorporating a dash of more modern influences. This is an excellent CD with no filler. "Erase The Slate" finds Dokken in fine form, with well-written and excellently arranged songs which feature smooth, melodic, multi-layered vocals over a heavy guitar crunch and a pounding rhythm section. It exhibits growth and maturity -- here Dokken preserves and updates their melodic hard rock/metal roots while acknowledging and giving the nod to the 90's...heavier groove and some "new metal" chord progressions and song structures. BUT NOT more than a nod...this is still Dokken through-and-through, just a bit more grown up. It seems they finally found their balance after the alt-extremes of "Shadow Life."

On to the musicians...in my point of view, Mick Brown delivers some of his best work to date here. Expressive drumming with a great sense of arrangement and well-placed, technical fills...while keeping a deep groove. Jeff Pilson also delivers the goods...his bass playing here is thunderous and pulsing (not to mention his great BGV's). And yes, folks, George is gone. And while he cannot be replaced and his style was highly individualistic, Reb Beach brings a fresh new perspective both musically and technically. Where as George's strength was in his speed, technical ability, and barrage of licks, Rebs brings a new sense of fluidity and arrangement to the solos...with quite a good bit of speed himself to boot. And his rhythm playing is superb. George is one of the best in this scene...but Reb is not to be trifled with.

Don's vocals are as smooth and expressive as ever...but I do agree with one reviewer -- he seems to have lost a bit of range in the higher register. It could be a result of time or of it just not fitting the music...but even when he hits 'em here, he seems to be missing a bit of projection. It's ok...he makes up for it in his phrasing and emotional delivery.

Check out the rage and relentlessness of the Title Track and "Maddest Hatter"...the groove and slick 80's-influenced power of "Change The World"...and the pounding, dark aggression of "Shattered" and "Voice of The Soul". And by the way, one of the best cover songs I've ever heard...Three Dog Night's "One".

Dokken is back in a big way with this CD. Way better than the waytoo alternative "Shadow Life", this CD rocks from start to finish. New guitar player Reb Beach is able to cut loose a lot more here than he did in Winger. This is a heavy CD with tons of riffs and solos. It also has plenty of melody and Don Dokken still sounds terrific. This is a great CD.

I give this album a solid "B". Most of the songs are very listenable, a few with a modern edge to the sound (like "Drown"), a couple nice ballads and a few hard pounding hard-rokken tunes. Right off the bat I must say, no matter how much the title-track "Erase the Slate" rocks, "Change the World" is by-far my favorite song on this album and that track alone makes the fifteen dollars I spent worth the price I paid for the cd. It is THE BEST single track I have heard from Dokken in years. Why the guys at CMC didn't release it as a single is beyond me.

One very pleasant surprise you will find on 'Erase the Slate' is Mick Brown's vocal debut for Dokken on "Crazy Mary Goes Round" which totally blew me away. I had NO IDEA Mick could sing that well. It is a great, fun rocker. You'll be surprised by this one.

The ballads are nice; thankfully there are no more than two (I enjoy ballads, I just don't like to hear too many of them on a single disc). Also, I should mention that Dokken's cover of Harry Nilsson's "One", as mentioned by Andy, is great. Very up-beat sound. Different than the rest of the album.

The rockers: Well, "Erase the Slate" kicks things off with a nice, heavy fast pace with a killer extended guitar solo from fast-fingered Reb. "Maddest Hatter" is fine throughout--musically and vocally--except for the simple guitar riff in the bridge and chorus. Reb could have done a lot better. That is what ruins it for me on this track. A few of the tracks might still sound a bit too "modern" for some people's liking. Most noticably "hip" are "Drown" and "Voice of the Soul". This is what I meant when I said that this record is not a complete return to form. This is not "Under Lock & Key" but I think you should definitely give "Erase the Slate" a try. Having said this, "Drown" and "Voice of the Soul" are nice tunes but I could have done without them. "Shattered", though just a bit too 90ish sounding to me, is an interesting song.

In closing, Lynch is gone, Reb is in. Actually, Lynch is gone and so is Reb, John Norum is in. Jeff Pilson out, Barry Sparks is in. I hope you guys are as psyched as I am about Dokken's new release due out this February 2002. It will be exciting to hear what the band will sound like with two new members at hand. If it is anywhere NEAR as good as Sparks or Dokken suggest it will be, then it will tear the living guts out of 'Erase the Slate'--if that's possible. I think so, Dokken will never quit. Up the irons! Uh... Let's Rat n Roll! Er......... Oh, yeah. Until next time, keep Rokken with Dokken!

Peace, bros.

This Has to be one of Dokkens greatest albums ever. Don Dokkens voice is better then ever! Sure George Lynch isn't playing guitar for them any more, and he is still one of the best around, but give credit where credit is do, Reb stepped in and did an excellent job replacing him. This is the kind of album that get your blood pumping from the get go! Erase the Slate is a must have for any true Fan!

For the long time fans of DOKKEN, the issue of George Lynch, the band's original guitarist, leaving the band was as much of an issue with this album as whether or not the album was musically solid. I don't think anybody would argue the point that George Lynch is a wonderful guitar player, and that his style had a great deal to do with establishing the classic DOKKEN sound. On the other side of the coin, DOKKEN has found a solid replacement with Reb Beach. In doing so, they have the opportunity to tap into yet another talent and another musical influence. Reb is a wonderful guitar player as well. He more than proves himself with this album. Not to say that he needed to prove his ability in the classic sense of the word. Whether or not you were a fan of his late band Winger, you would have to admit that his guitar work was solid. Reb says "Thank You" in the credits to this album to "Edward Van Halen-who told me that solo's are better when they're not punched." When the guru of guitar speaks, the wise will listen! "Erase the Slate" is powerful, fresh music that shows DOKKEN has what it takes to be part of the melodic hard rock line up for years to come yet. DOKKEN has returned to their roots with this album, giving the fans EXACTLY what they want to hear. It features the solid guitar work and catchy melodic vocals that define the classic DOKKEN sound. I think as long as the disciples of George Lynch approach this album with an open mind, they too will see that the album is everything the fans expect from DOKKEN. After all, a band is not comprised of one man, and certainly not just the guitar player. DOKKEN is not the only melodic hard rock band who has a recent release that is outstanding. If you like DOKKEN, check out some of your other favorites...you may be pleasantly surprised. Need a memory jog? After you add "Erase the Slate" to your shopping cart, click on over to my home page on Amazon. I have many of these albums reviewed and most of the bands listed that you're likely to want to know about. DOKKEN is one of MANY that are proving that melodic hard rock IS what classic rock and roll is all about!

Excellent album guys!!!!!! What can I say but the new cd rocks. If you don't have it yet,....get it! You won't be disappointed. "Change The World", "Maddest Hatter", and "Shattered" are just a few of the melodic tunes that are my personal favs. Dokken trying to be something they're not? Not hardly; just good heavy metal returning them to their roots. And Reb does an excellent job. He's definitely grown up from his Winger days. If you don't like "Erase The Slate" then how can you like their older stuff?!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the best Dokken CD sice Unchain The Night. I was very impressed with it. A must have for the Dokken fan.