Under Lock and Key

by Dokken

Overview

After getting off to a patchy start with their thrown-together 1982 debut, Breaking the Chains (recorded mere weeks after they'd become a band), Dokken replaced departed bassist Juan Croucier (bound for Ratt) with Jeff Pilson, and really seemed to gel as a proper musical unit on their impressive sophomore album, Tooth and Nail. But notwithstanding a minor European hit achieved with that record's single, "Into the Fire," the quartet had yet to experience a commercial breakthrough back home in America, a breakthrough that would finally arrive after the release of Under Lock and Key in November 1985. However, Dokken's third album was hardly a monster hit, peaking at number 32 and only gradually marching toward gold, then platinum certifications, thanks to a string of successful but hardly explosive singles, the band's grueling touring schedule (supporting AC/DC, Judas Priest, Dio, etc.), and, let's be frank, some crucial "tarting up" of the musicians for the extremely image-conscious MTV generation. Take Under Lock and Key away from these temporal sales drivers, though, and one still has quite possibly Dokken's most "complete" album, with a little something for every type of fan -- including memorable singles like "In My Dreams" and "It's Not Love" (which rode effectively cornball videos into the Top 40 chart), fist-pumping headbangers like "Lightnin' Strikes Again" and "Til the Livin' End," and saccharine ballads like "Slippin' Away" and "Jaded Heart" (never the band's strongest suit, it should be noted). Most importantly, Under Lock and Key also boasts two almost peerless examples of Dokken's best songwriting template -- bittersweet mid-paced rockers -- in the opening tandem of "Unchain the Night" and "The Hunter," both of which also pack fantastic solos from guitar wizard George Lynch. Along with the aforementioned diversity of styles, it's ultimately these two defining tracks that still make Under Lock and Key the best introduction to Dokken's sound -- even though heavy metal purists tend to prefer Tooth and Nail for its combined aggression and consistency. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia

Product Details

Release Date:	02/03/2009
Label:	Flashback Records / Rhino Flashback
UPC:	0081227988036

Tracks

1. Unchain the Night
2. The Hunter
3. In My Dreams
4. Slippin' Away
5. Lightnin' Strikes Again
6. It's Not Love
7. Jaded Heart
8. Don't Lie to Me
9. Will the Sun Rise?
10. Till the Livin' End

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Dokken   Primary Artist
Don Dokken   Guitar,Vocals,Lead Vocals
Jeff Pilson   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Guitar (Bass),Vocals (Background)
George Lynch   Guitar
"Wild" Mick Brown   Drums,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mick Brown   Drums,Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Chris Currell   Synclavier Programming,Musician
Dokken   Composer
Don Dokken   Composer
Jeff Pilson   Composer
Neil Kernon   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Patrick Milligan   Musician
Paul Kennerley   Composer
Michael Lardie   Engineer,Assistant Engineer
Michael Wagener   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Ted Myers   Musician
George Lynch   Composer
Mark Wilczak   Mixing,Engineer,Mixing Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Mark Weiss   Photography,Art Direction
Jodi Rovin   Design
Cliff Bonnell   Assistant Engineer
Dave "The Knave" Williams   Logo,Design
Barry Diament   Mastering
Tom Mayhue   Drum Technician
Matt Masciandaro   Guitar Technician
Cliff Bonell   Assistant Engineer
Harry "D.O.G." Barone   Musician
Mick Brown   Composer
Angelo Arcuri   Producer
Bob Ludwig   Mastering