Dokken
Tooth and Nail

THE REVIEW

Back in 1984, glam or hair metal reigned almost everywhere, with bands like Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, and New York Dolls. Bands that would lay the groundwork for artists of the caliber of Guns'n'Roses. Among them were these Dokken, one of the most underrated.
And Tooth And Nail is undoubtedly their masterpiece. This masterpiece begins with a chilling guitar arpeggio by the brilliant George Lynch, then explodes into the fantastic and violent title track. The album flows smoothly with tracks like "Just Got Lucky", "Heartless Heart", and "Don't Close Your Eyes", but it is with "When Heaven Comes Down", "Into The Fire", and "Bullets To Spare" that you fly into the paradise of 80s metal. Naturally, as far as the lyrics are concerned, you can only expect stories of broken hearts and women, but this type of music was also famous for these themes. However, the album's masterpiece is track number 9, "Alone Again": the title is very explicit regarding the theme dealt with (alone again/my tears fall like rain/alone again/without you, etc.), but the melodies, the solo, and the fantastic and unsurpassable voice of Don Dokken place it at the top of the mountain of ballads that were written in the 80s. The ending, instead, is an exhilarating explosion with the sustained yet always airy and varied rhythm of "Turn On The Action", with yet another splendid solo.

In conclusion, a must-listen if you like Crue, Skid Row, or similar stuff, and especially because it's a masterpiece and it would be an injustice to leave it in the oblivion where it has been relegated.