Customer Reviews

Very Best of Dokken

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's nice to see a "best of" album with most of this band's good stuff. All the big air play hits are here: Breaking the Chains, Alone Again, Into The Fire, The Hunter, It's Not Love (Thanks for that one!), In My Dreams, etc. Some hot stuff from later releases from the band (and Don's solo effort) also make it a bonus CD: Mirror Mirror and Too High To Fly.

While this release from Dokken is a good compilation, a few (of my) top songs from the band didn't make the list: Don't Close Your Eyes, Bullets To Spare and Prisoner Of Love. It's tough to please everyone! However, Don Dokken's smooth vocal delivery coupled with George Lynch's fine axe work make this a great album to pick up regardless of personal preferences for one tune or another. If you don't have a Dokken album in your collection and you like 80's hard rock/pop metal, this is the one to get.

This is the first greatest hits CD that I ever bought from Rhino records and I'm glad that they released this Greatest Hits CD on Rhino Records cause the sound quality is really good and the liner notes is very informative, it's everything that a Dokken fan needs to know, what got me into Dokken was hearing In My Dreams on the radio when I was getting ready to go to bed and I was packing up to go to Long Beach, Washington, I think that Dokken guitarist George Lynch is one of metal's underrated guitar players of all time and he can really play and I think that Dokken was one of the best hair metal bands of all time too cause they had good songwriting skills as well, this CD has 16 cuts from 1983-95 and 14 of it was from 1983-88 and we do get to have one Don Dokken solo cut called Mirror Mirror which is quite a good song and I'm surprised that the song didn't make it big, plus I had no idea that George Lynch formed a new band called Lynch Mob either.

Here are my ratings for each track.

Breaking the Chains: Dokken's first known song off of their debut album and it is the title track but this song is a classic, who can forget the video when George Lynch starts breaking the chains during the guitar solo part? 10/10

Paris is Burning (live): This live track is actually off of Dokken's debut album and it's awesome, I like the opening part of the song the best. 10/10

Into the Fire: Now we enter the Tooth and Nail album and this song is a classic, excellent chorus. 10/10

Just Got Lucky: This is one of Dokken's heavier songs but this song isn't quite one of my favorites. 8/10

Alone Again: This song was Dokken's biggest hit and I'm surprised that they didn't score a Top 40 hit on the Billboard charts. 10/10

Tooth and Nail: Not to be confused with Foreigner's version off of the Agent Provecatuer album which came out earlier that year. 7/10

The Hunter: Now we enter the Under Lock and Key album which contains this classic song. 10/10

In My Dreams: This is my favorite song by Dokken and this song is awesome, it should've been in the Top 40 but oh well, at least that it did well on the Modern Rock tracks. 10/10

It's Not Love: Another standout and this song reminds me of early 1999 when I heard this song on the Youth Gone Wild CD Vol. 2. 10/10

Dream Warriors: I think that this is the best song off of the Back for the Attack album. 10/10

Burning Like a Flame: I'm surprised that this song didn't make it on the Beast For the East live album which came out a year earlier but this isn't one of my favorite songs. 7/10

Heaven Sent: Not one of the better songs for Dokken although this song is a bit more ballad like. 6/10

Mr. Scary: An instrumental tune done by George Lynch and this is a really cool song. 10/10

Walk Away: Probably one of Dokken's most softest songs and this was off of the Beast From the East live album and this song doesn't do it for me. 6/10

Mirror Mirror: This is a really good song by Dokken's solo album and this song is on par with the earlier classics. 10/10

Too High to Fly: The longest song on this album (which clocks in at over 7 minutes) and this song isn't that great. 6/10

I was 15 when Dokken's Breaking The Chains came out. I have been hooked ever since. I am 33 years old now, and still love Dokken and other 80's hair bands. This cd is a must have. It has every song yoiu would want from the early 80's to the early 90's. Don Dokkens sultry, bluesy, voice and George Lynch's fiery, blistering guitar, made Dokken an 80's icon. Get this cd, you want be dissapointed. Metal Rules....

Dokken's "Very Best Of" is just that: just about everything that made Dokken a staple band for most kids in the 80's that were into metal. Don Dokken has some of the best vocals of any of the 80's wailers, and George Lynch is arguable the most talented axeman to appear in the 80's. The guy is incredibly talented, plays ferociously, and the blistering sound just jumps off of his steel toy and through your speakers. Whitesnake's Steve Vai, Vinnie Vincent, and Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora are three guitarists of a handful that can only hope to come CLOSE to rivaling Lynch's skill with the axe. Absolutely incredible. Anyway.

This album is the quintessential album for anyone that remembers Dokken with fondness and a zillion great memories of what they were doing when they heard this stuff on their radios, or for a 90's nu-metal disenchantee searching for a better sound, willing to try something they've never heard. Whether you're new to the 80's rock sound and fascinated with the possibility that there IS something better than 90's-00's [stuff]-o-rama rock, or a made-in-the-80's thoroughbred that was in high school when Dokken was the big cheese (along with bands like Kiss, Def Leppard, Whitesnake, Poison, Ratt, Cinderella, etc.), you won't be disappointed with the choices for the "best of" set Dokken has compiled. Every song most definitely deserves to be included on this album, but space was limited...

...which must have forced them to make some important decisions. Songs like "Unchain the Night", "Slipping Away", and "When Heaven Comes Down" (a favorite anthem the band loved to play live) had to be excluded. Not to worry, though. If you're looking for those songs on a "best of" type compilation, I recommend the very good live album from Dokken (released 1988) "Beast From the East". What songs this best of compilation lacks that album includes. Both include the insanely good "Mr. Scary" guitar solo/instrumental by George Lynch.

But when an album includes "In My Dreams", "Breaking the Chains", "Into the Fire", "Dream Warriors", "Alone Again", "Tooth and Nail", "It's Not Love", and "Hunter" and still has 8 MORE quality tracks on it, it's hard not to want the album!

Still, this album doesn't go wrong. If you want an introduction to Dokken, or a reunion with their music, this is the album for you. If you are a more serious Dokken or 80's metal fan, I would recommend going for all of Dokken's 80's releases: "Breaking the Chains" (1983), "Tooth and Nail" (1984), "Under Lock and Key (1985)-- their most solid release, "Back For the Attack" (1987), and "Beast From the East" (1988). I have all of these, and I'm a very happy man...

Rock on! Here's to the 80's metal bands!!!

THE BAND: Don Dokken (vocals, guitar), George Lynch (guitars), Jeff Pilson (bass), Juan Croucier (bass on Dokken's debut only), Mick Brown (Drums & percussion). *Note - the song "Mirror Mirror" is from Don Dokken's solo release - featuring John Norum (guitar), Billy White (guitar), Peter Baltes (bass), and Mikkey Dee (drums).

THE DISC: (1999) 16 tracks clocking in at approximately 75 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/credits, an brief yet insightful paragraph about each song, a 5-page intro/history on the band, 2 color band photos, and which songs came from what albums and chart success. Label - Elektra / Rhino.

ALBUM REPRESENTATION: Breaking The Chains (2 songs), Tooth And Nail (4), Under Lock And Key (3), Back For The Attack (4), Beast From The East (1), Up From the Ashes (1), Dysfuntional (1).

COMMENTS: This is a great single disc collection of Dokken material. However, if you're looking for a more in-depth taste, then go with Dokken's "The Definitive Rock Collection" (featuring all the songs on this disc, minus "Mirror Mirror")... released in 2006 with 29 tracks on 2-discs. "The Very Best Of Dokken" features 16 blistering tunes - no filler, with the exception of perhaps "Mirror Mirror" from Don Dokken's solo album (1990)...this song seems strangely out of place here since it's not technically a Dokken "band" song (if you do feel that this song needs to be here, then you need to include one of Lynch's solo songs here too... the best choice being most any track from his "Wicked Sensation" album). THE GOOD: All the staples are here - "Breaking The Chains", "Paris Is Burning" (even though the live version here is faded out in the end), "Just Got Lucky", "Along Again", "In My Dreams", "It's Not Love", "Dream Warriors", "Heaven Sent", "Mr.Scary", "Too High To Fly", etc. Songs are presented in chronological order, so you hear the band grow/mature/change over the years. Digitally remastered sound is crisp (not to mention the band's entire catalog could benefit from remastering). 2 priceless photos of a finesse band looking tough in spandex, silk and big hair. Informative liner notes. THE NOT SO GOOD: Only a few things to note. As stated earlier, "Mirror Mirror" just doesn't belong here. For the most part, the song selection is right on, however there are a few song omissions that coulda/shoulda been here - "Hole In My Head", "Kiss Of Death", "Bullets To Spare", "Don't Lie To Me", "Lightning Strikes Again", "Prisoner". Also absent is anything from Dokken's "Shadowlife" (1997) and "One Night Live" (1996). Here's hoping that the "Gold" or "Essential" series will release a more current 2-disc version that includes a more updated track listing (accommodating Lynch's replacement, Reb Beach) - featuring tracks from "Hell To Pay", "Erase The Slate", "Long Way Home", "Live From The Sun". In my opinion Dokken was more than just another hair/glam 80's band... Don Dokken brought amazing vocals, George Lynch an incredible guitar, and a wonderfully rounded out band with Pilson and Brown. Overall, this "Very Best Of" is a nice snapshot of the band's Dokken/Lynch material (5 stars).

What can I say? Until recently, I haven't really been much of a heavy metal fan... bands like Metallica and Guns N' Roses have always left me a bit cold, because the thrumming guitars and blaring voices lacked the essential harmonies that I love in music. Dokken got this right, from Don's frenzied, charismatic voice, lyrics that hit home into our heart and soul, to Lynch and Pilson's awesome guitar work. This album incorporates the band's best work, and let me tell you, it is unbelievable. If you like heavy-metal or '80s rock in general, give this album a try... it REALLY cooks.

For me this music just gets better with age, I've listened to this CD on a regular basis ever since I purchased it last year. George Lynch's guitar-work just owns me. His brilliant fret-work is showcased in this collection. When you pop this CD in your player, you are instantly blown away by Lynch's guitar in your face with a monster riff on 'Breakin The Chains'. And an awesome guitar solo to boot. In my opinion, the opening 1:30 of 'Paris Is Burning' could easily stand up to Eddie Van Halen's 'Eruption', and that says a mouthful. This portion of the song is a finger-tapping, fret-work frenzy! I enjoy all songs on the CD, the only one I usually skip is the Don Dokken solo song 'Mirror, Mirror'. It is a good song, but I feel that it probably should've been left off this collection. 'In My Dreams' is awesome, 'Dream Warriors', 'Tooth And Nail', 'Walk Away', 'Heaven Sent', and the guitar-frenzied instrumental 'Mr. Scary' all rock hard! Don Dokken is a great singer, his vocal range and style fits well with this style of music. Jeff Pilson's bass and Mick Brown's drumming are also a great complement to Don's singing and Lynch's awesome guitar work. As another reviewer said, it truly is a shame that Lynch and Don Dokken don't get along. This band had excellent chemistry together during this era of their music. Reb Beach from Winger replaced Lynch a few years ago, he is a great guitarist and is a good fit for the band because of his flashy style. This album is guitar riffs galore! So if you're a fan of great, flashy, over-the-top, larger than life 80's style rock/metal, you'll absolutely love this CD! Do yourself a huge favor and get this one. Two words for ya, ROCK ON!!!

This is a great place to start if you want something by Dokken but don't necessarily want to start out with any particular studio album. Contrary to some people's belief, Dokken were/are not just merely a "hair band." This band is excellent at being heavy yet melodic at the same time. I've read a few reviews here that complain about Don Dokken's vocals...uh, they're strong and actually MELODIC at the same time. That's heard so little in hard rock and heavy metal. So little in fact, that people have brainwashed themselves into thinking vocals by, say, Vince Neil, for example, are actually superior! "Wow, Don's actually singing in a pleasant, melodic voice, that must mean it sucks" is the unthinking metalhead's conclusion. And to those who claim that George Lynch is who carried the band, I'm afraid not. Notice this is a band-it takes ALL of them to be a great unit. That said, George Lynch IS a great guitarist and although many one-dimensional people would say he's just a typical 80's style guitarist (whatever that's supposed to mean), there was more going on with his guitar work than just that. There's a whole other layer; his playing actually evokes emotion, unlike a lot of hard rock/heavy metal during their prime.
Dokken's vocals were great, also. And not just Don's vocals. Notice the harmonies on "In My Dreams." That's not just multi-tracked Don vocals. Mick Brown and Jeff Pilson, the drummer and bass player, were accomplished vocalists, also. Their voices actually blended well.
Yeah, a lot of Don's lyrics are about love and heartache. Again, some reviewers complained about this. Uh, hello?! His lyrical content is a refreshing change from the typical sex-macho crap spewed forth from a lot of the other hard rock/heavy metal bands around. It's called integrity, and Dokken had it in spades. Again, it's funny how originality is such a foreign concept to people that it somehow becomes the very thing that they think is wrong about something.
In other words, if you're thinking about getting this cd, do.

Dokken? Hair Metal? Two words that don't make sense to me.
Bands like Ratt, Motley Crue, Warrant, Poison, Winger, 80's Kiss were the classic hair metal's combos and they were great, no doubt about it. But Dokken, just like Quiet Riot and W.A.S.P. were something different, they were bands from America but with a personal sound different from the typical hair metal's combos.
George Lynch was an excellent guitarist with an endless melodic taste and Don Dokken a singer with soul and a strong songwriter . This duo is the trade-mark of Dokken, sorry for Pilson and Wild Mick but they never were two champions, just honest musicians.
This anthology covers the golden age of the band from 'Breaking the Chains' to the mighty 'Back for the Attack' and the live 'Beast from the East' plus two gems from the Don Dokken's project.
Dokken were second to none talking about melody mixed with power, they were the perfect choiche in that sense.
Tracks like 'Breaking the Chains' and 'Burning like a Flame' are true melodic gems as 'Tooth and Nail' e 'Paris is Burning' push the pedal to the metal. The solo of 'Tooth and Nail' is pure guitar heaven, God bless George!
'Into the Fire' and 'Dream Warriors'- both included in the Nightmare V's movie- are two of the best melodic rock's tracks ever, IMO, as they balance perfectly power with melody. Sometimes Don Dokken seems to cry as he sings, a true emotional singer.
'Alone Again' is touching, a wonderful ballad and a hit of those times, but the masterpiece of the band is 'Unchain the Night', a real melodic gem. 'The Hunter' offers the best lead solo by George and the sad and wonderful 'Walk Away' closes the Dokken' story in the 80's. This touching ballad is my personal fav one from the band (the Don's high notes in the end are worth of a tear!) and it's the last studio track before the split.
Dokken reunited in 1995 and are still around with different members but the magic of the past is gone.
The tracks from Don Dokken's 'Up from the Ashes' are really good as the whole album. The partner of Don was Mr. Jhon Norum this time and that's incredible how he sounds similar to Lynch.
If you're starting to know the band don't wait to get this brilliant anthology, trust me!

dokken is by far a top 5 hair band from the 80's. They have it all. The great power ballads to the hard rockin 'breakin the chains'. My all time favorite dokken song is "In My Dreams" but "Dream Warriors" is a close second! I wish people from my generation listened to this kind of music. They don't know what they are missing!