Well another comeback of sorts for 'Dokken', as long term bassist 'Jeff Pilson' and former 'Winger' axe man 'Reb Beach' left before this release. In steps 'Barry Sparks' of 'Yngwie Malmsteen' / 'Michael Schenker Group' and 'John Norum' of 'Europe', so there's no shortage of experience. Unfortunately this release doesn't quite 'cut the mustard', there's glimpses of past glory as the new members fit in well and 'Don Dokken' sounds in surprisingly good form. However as with recent releases the song writing is mediocre and the group seem a little stifled and afraid to really let loose, unlike in the old days. What really disappoints me are the ballads, there's too many and they are exceptionally weak and tedious.

After listening to the opening song 'Sunless Days' I thought this was going to be an absolute cracker, unfortunately this is the best cut of the disc and the rest fail to compare to this belter. A blistering snaking guitar drenched intro, develops into a sweet modern chugger, lyrically sounds similar to something they've done before, but not taking anything away, this is a real shredder- good stuff 'Don'. The pace is slowed down for the plodding 'Little Girl', an interesting slower number, incorporating an 'Indian' influenced instrumental segment, with a certain 'Beatles' feel about it, but ultimately let down by the unremarkable lyrics. 'Everybody Needs' is a simplistic light-weight rocker, sounds a little punky at times with the less than harmonious choruses, but features a good solid guitar solo. 'You' has a modern feel about it, a little droning as times and features some quirky distorted vocals, but again the guitar and rhythm section are thorough. 'Goodbye My Friend' is a sloppy ballad, no more needs saying. The paced is picked up again for the enticing rocker 'Magic Road' which brings back memories of old school 'Dokken', plenty of smooth vocals from 'Don' and worthily back-up with solid guitaring. The strongest of the slower numbers is 'There was a Time', which embraces better lyrics and is sung with plenty of emotion. 'Heart Full of Soul' was a nice surprise for me as the 'Yardbirds' are one of my favourites 'Sixties' groups, of which this is a cover. 'Don' and the lads have done a very respectable version, straying little from the original. 'Under the Gun' has that traditional 'Dokken' sound, abate a little updated, this is also one of the faster tracks and rocks hard, you can almost hear 'George Lynch' at times... If only. The closing ballad 'I've Found' is a dreadful lifeless ballad, easily the worst track present,

Overall there's little between this and the previous album 'Erase the Slate', still credit to 'Don Dokken' for sticking with it, but just tell me who's going to enjoy the dreary ballads present, not me for one. Clocking in at just over 40 minutes isn't enough now days, people expect a lot more, especially when you have to pay nearly £17, which I did.