by Teddy "Spaghetti" Lawrence

HHEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYY EVERYBODYYY! It’s your favorite undead rocker extraordinaire, Teddy “Spaghetti” Lawrence! Lead singer/song writer for “The Deadites”, I’m sure you’ve heard out hit single, “Burnin’ Love”.....

Anyway, my favorite band of all time, besides my own of course, is the legendary “Dokken”. I figured since I got nothing better to do in the afterlife, I would write up some reviews of their albums! Fronted by Don Dokken, with Guitarist George Lynch, hard hitting drummer Mick Brown and bassist Jeff Pilson, Dokken was known for great live shows and monster ballads.

The band’s first LP, and first single, “Breaking the Chains” was released in 1983. The title track is catchy as shit with a strong backbone provided by Brown. Coupled with the video with heavy rotation on MTV, the song helped to successfully drive up sales.

Songs like, “Nightrider” and, “Seven Thunders” are strong slow burns, with catchy hooks and energetic solos. “In the Middle” is another strong, slower song that thumps along nicely but feels misplaced in the track order. “Live to Rock (Rock to Live)” and “Young Girls” are strong rock numbers that ultimately aren’t anything too special, but remain fun and enjoyable. “Felony” isn’t a bad song overall, but feels a bit stale (except for the solo). Perhaps it would have been better not to carry it over from 1979’s EP, “Back in the Streets”.

The highlight of the album is certainly, “Paris is Burning”. Recorded live in Berlin in December 82’, this track is simply on FIRE. Lynch is playing like a mad man, producing an energy unmatched by anything else on the album. It’s a good thing it’s the last track, cause it will make you wish the ENTIRE THING was live. (It’s also a great preview of things to come!)

It’s an ambitious first record at ten tracks. No matter my love for the band, there are unfortunately a few songs that don’t live up to the capabilities of the band. Tracks like “I Can’t See You” and “Stick to Your Guns” are the weakest of the ten and could have been left as B-sides.

One aspect of this had been addressed by hiring new bassist Jeff Pilson, but he didn’t come in until after the record was recorded. Dokken finally gaining a stable lineup helped the band drastically with their next record the following year. Most acts of the day weren’t necessarily talented, but could play well enough and look good on stage. Dokken was however, the real deal. Live, the band was FAN-DAMN-TASTIC, and their writing on the follow up as a group is proof of that.

Verdict:

Although “Breaking the Chains” may be a bit of a mixed bag, it’s still worth a listen. After all, it’s their first LP! SO, Break the chains and have some fun!

3 Super Mullets Outta 5