Under Lock and Key

Under Lock and Key

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Sure, they may have been the kings of heavy metal Cheez Whiz, but unlike many image-conscious '80s rockers, Dokken wrote genuinely appealing songs. Frontman Don Dokken's voice carried better than most belters, and George Lynch was a ferociously gifted guitarist who could tug at the heartstrings as easily as he could burn down the bedroom. Under Lock and Key, which wasn't as combustive as Dokken's first two albums Breaking the Chains and Tooth and Nail, seemed like an effort by the band to attract a larger following. It worked. Candy metal softballs like "It's Not Love," "Unchain the Night," and "In My Dreams" were heavy enough to keep the guys rockin', but sensitive enough to attract the chicks. And isn't that what '80s metal was all about? --Jon Wiederhorn

Tracks:

Unchain The Night
The Hunter
In My Dreams
Slippin' Away
Lightin' Strikes Again
It's Not Love
Jaded Heart
Don't Lie To Me
Will The Sun Rise
Til The Livin' End

Amazon.com

Sure, they may have been the kings of heavy metal Cheez Whiz, but unlike many image-conscious '80s rockers, Dokken wrote genuinely appealing songs. Frontman Don Dokken's voice carried better than most belters, and George Lynch was a ferociously gifted guitarist who could tug at the heartstrings as easily as he could burn down the bedroom. Under Lock and Key, which wasn't as combustive as Dokken's first two albums Breaking the Chains and Tooth and Nail, seemed like an effort by the band to attract a larger following. It worked. Candy metal softballs like "It's Not Love," "Unchain the Night," and "In My Dreams" were heavy enough to keep the guys rockin', but sensitive enough to attract the chicks. And isn't that what '80s metal was all about? --Jon Wiederhorn

Customer Reviews:

One of Dokken's best.......2006-11-11

This one is up there with Under Tooth and Nail and Back for the Attack. If you like those two then you'll like this one.

A classic.......2006-03-02

This isn't as heavy as there album Tooth And Nail but it's almost as good and just as popular. The heavier Lightning Strikes, Til the Livin End, It's Not Love and Unchain the Night are and the more melodic In My Dreans, Will The Sun Rise and The Hunter are excellent too. The 2 ballads Jaded Heart and Slipping Away are excellent power ballads too. The whole band here performs just as well as they did on Tooth And Nail. If you like melodic rock, hair metal, classic rock, metal or good music in general than get this.

Rokken w/ Dokken.......2006-02-25

Excellent example of 80's metal. Don Dokken's vocals shine on this cd and George Lynch's guitar work is by far some of his best. This whole cd rocks. I love all of the tracks, but a few that really stick out are: The Hunter, In My Dreams, Lightnin' Strikes Again, & It's Not Love. A must have for any 80's metal fan. You won't be let down by purchasing this one!!

EXCELLENT pop-metal offering.......2006-02-24

This release was more commercial friendly then their magnificent TOOTH AND NAIL, but it is still just as enjoyable - just different. Lyrically speaking, there are at 4-5 songs on here that explore the "having been wronged by the femme-fatale" theme that appears often enough on Dokken releases so as to almost make those lyrics a Dokken trademark.

Anyone who has ever been disappointed in love should be able to relate to Dokken's thorough covering of the subject, whether it be "searching for love on the lonely streets again" (The Hunter), betrayal of confidence (Don't Lie To Me), yearning for a love that still flourishes although it is history (In My Dreams), or the helplessness one feels when a loved one exits one's life (Slippin' Away). I think that has been a big reason Dokken has had such a lasting appeal to their fans because this is a subject so many of them can relate to.

I love Don Dokken's voice. He doesn't exhibit the same range as someone like Rob Halford (then again, who does?), but his voice can suit perfectly for all-out rockers like "Lightnin' Strikes" or ballads like "Slippin' Away" with equal justification. Can you imagine Rob Halford or Ronnie James Dio singing ballads? To me, it just doesn't work as well as Don Dokken's would on Dokken's ballads. Don's voice and style works out great in either capacity.

The first three songs, plus "Don't Lie To Me", are what I would classify as "melodic metal" - musically speaking, similar in style to the Scorpions. A theme and beat is recorded and diversified with George Lynch's intricate guitar work so as to maintain listener interest through the songs.

"Unchain the Night" is a great opener to the release - a mid-tempo track with a thumping bass hook and Don Dokken's soaring vocals. Dokken had opened shows with this number on tour before.

"The Hunter" is a another mid-tempo track, similar to the previous one. Lyrically it's about a broken-hearted guy "searching for love on the lonely streets again" that he himself acknowledges may be in vain.

"In My Dreams" - remember the video to this? George Lynch's fancy fingerwork in this guitar solo is AMAZING. (Incidentally, some techno-dance musicians call THE PARTY redid this in 1991 that promises an intersting comparison.) "Don't Lie To Me" on the same CD is similar to this song.

"Slippin' Away" is a power-ballad similar to "Alone Again" Dokken had released a year earlier. "Jaded Heart" is the other slow song on the CD.

"Lightnin' Strikes" and "Til The Livin' End" are the all out, rapid fire tempo songs on here with the thunderous drums and Lynch's lightning fast fretwork. That is stuff to crash your car to.

"It's Not Love" got a fair amount or radio and MTV airplay It does not happen to be one of my preferred Dokken recording, but it is a fan favorite, so let the other reviews tell you more about that track.

"Will The Sun Rise" sounds like a song that could have appreared on Def Leppard's HYSTERIA. It is a political statement against war. Listen to the song "Give It Up" from Don Dokken's solo CD UP FROM THE ASHES. They are lyrically similar.

Give this Dokken offering a serious listen - it ranks up there with "Tooth And Nail" as their best release.

Another gem from Dokken.......2005-11-09

Dokken prove there one of the best metal bands to come out of the 80's with another great album. Dokken's music was a lot more serious than a lot of the hair bands as Dokken had maybe the best musicians out of them. Anyway here's my review...

1.Unchain the Night- 10/10 A great soft intro that leads into an awesome heavy rocker. This song has a heavy riff and great vocals. The bridge is great as Don's scream leads right into George's awesome solo where he shreds his ass off. George's second solo is better than the first as he plays with a ton of feeling.

2.The Hunter- 10/10 A great Van Halen type song with some great vocals. This song has an awesome riff and chorus. George's solo is excellent as he shreds a little but plays with a lot of feeling and makes every note count. This classic ends with a great note hold from Don Dokken. Great pop metal song.

3.In My Dreams- 10/10 This great melodic song starts with some good harmony vocals. George's riff is excellent. And Don's vocals are great and they sound a little like Joe Lynn Turner. The chorus is great as the harmony vocals work perfect for this song. George's solo is incredible again as he shreds away and shows off his great vibrato. One of my favorites and this song is a little similar to the Yngwie song "Heaven Tonight" One of Dokken's biggest hits and a great pop metal song.

4.Slippin' Away- 10/10 A great ballad with an excellent vocal performance by Don Dokken and an amazing solo by George Lynch who plays with so much emotion.

5.Lightnin' Strikes Again- 10/10 One of Dokken's best songs ever. George's riff is great and Don's vocals are great. An awesome fast paced song. George's solo is great as he shreds away and overdubs some harmony. Don's vocal performance is brilliant as he belts out a lot very high notes towards the end of the song.

6.It's Not Love- 10/10 A few great riffs from George Lynch. Very unique riffs. A great chorus and good vocals during the whole song. George's solo is excellent once again. George's second solo is as good as the first too!

7.Jaded Heart- 10/10 An excellent Alone Again style ballad with an excellent chorus and riff. Don's vocals are very powerful and are filled with emotion. George Lynch's solo is awesome too.

8.Don't Lie to Me- 10/10 A great melodic song that sounds a little like Breaking The Chains. George's solo is excellent as he throws in some tap, some great bends and excellent shredding lines. The guitar tone is excellent as it sounds like the Scorpions guitar tone. This should have been a big hit. The riff is great too. Another one of my favorites.

9.Will the Sun Rise?- 10/10 A great melodic song. The vocals and riff are excellent. The chorus is one of the best on the album. George throws in another great fast melodic solo. This is one of my favorite Dokken songs and George plays with a lot of feel. Maybe my favorite song on the album. A masterpeice!

10.Till the Livin' End- 10/10 An excellent melodic, agressive, fast paced song with another great chorus. A classic George Lynch riff and excellent vocals from Don Dokken. George's solo is probably the best on this album as it has some of his fastest player ever and the high note Don hit's after the solo is excellent. Don's ending note hold and the ending drums and guitar are excellent too. A real classic track.

This is another brilliant album from Dokken. You can't go wrong with there 80's albums but this is very high on my list as Don's vocals and George's guitar work has never been better. Every song is a classic. This album is also more of a pop metal album than Tooth And Nail however it is very diverese and has 4 pop metal songs, 4 straight forward metal songs and 2 power ballads. The glossier production of this album sounds good too. The band is

Don Dokken- Vocals
George Lynch- Guitar
Mick Brown- Drums, Vocals
Jeff Pilson- Bass, Vocals, Keyboards

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