Artist: Dokken Album: Long Way Home

Year: 2002
Duration: 0:0-1

Rockin' with Dokken: A Critical Review of Long Way Home

Not many bands can say they’ve made a mark in the glam metal scene during the 80s and continued to rock throughout the years. One such band is Dokken, a band that showed just how diverse they could be with the release of Long Way Home. This album was released in 2002, and it was a treat for all Dokken fans. This blog post is a critical review of Long Way Home with a brief history of the band, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic of the album.

Before diving into the album, let's talk a bit about Dokken. The band was formed in 1978 by singer Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch. Over the years, they have released a number of chart-topping albums and hit songs, including Into the Fire, Breakin' the Chains, and Dream Warriors. Dokken's music style is generally categorized as hard rock or heavy metal, with elements of glam metal that were prevalent during the 80s. Long Way Home was the band's ninth studio album, and it was released on Sanctuary Records. The album consists of 11 tracks, with a running time of 49 minutes and 20 seconds.

Now let's dive deeper into the album itself. Long Way Home can be described as a mature and versatile album that showcases Dokken's evolution as musicians over the years. It's a mix of hard rock, blues, and ballads, with some songs leaning towards an acoustic sound. The album's production is top-notch, with each instrument and sound being crisp and clean.

Some of the best tracks on the album include Haunting Me, Nothing Left to Say, and Heaven Sent. What sets these songs apart is the subtle use of acoustic guitars mixed with the band's trademark sound. Haunting Me is a standout track that showcases Don Dokken's vocal range and the band's overall sound. Nothing Left to Say is a soulful ballad that hits all the right notes, and Heaven Sent is a power ballad that's sure to leave listeners spellbound.

The most innovative part of the album has to be the fact that each member of the band was given room to shine. This is especially evident in the song I Remember, where each member takes center stage to showcase their talents. Don Dokken's vocal delivery in this song is nothing short of remarkable, and George Lynch's guitar solo towards the end is a sight to behold.

However, there are a few shortcomings in the album that must be mentioned. The album's overall sound can be described as safe, with no risk-taking involved. The band's attempt at incorporating some acoustic elements in some songs might not be appealing to fans that are used to their traditional sound. Also, the album's lack of consistency might not sit well with fans that expect each song to be equally impressive.

In conclusion, Long Way Home might not be the band's most iconic album, but it's an underrated gem that's worth checking out. The album showcases Dokken's evolution as musicians over the years, with each member being given room to shine. While the album might not be perfect, it still has enough good songs that will leave listeners satisfied. Overall, Long Way Home is a testament to the band's longevity and their ability to adapt to the changing times. So, if you're a hard rock fan looking for something new to listen to, give Long Way Home a spin and discover the magic of Dokken.