Pros: Recalls many fine memories from the 80s. As good now as they were then.
Cons: Early Dokken CDs seem to be getting harder to find. Get them while you can.
The Bottom Line: If you loved long hair heavy metal in the 80s, you'll enjoy Dokken's Tooth & Nail yet today. You might even check out their latest release, Hell to Pay (2004).
swopedesign's Full Review: Tooth And Nail by Dokken
You're starting to show your age when you reference bands like Dokken. Heavy metal was a different beast in the 80's, but some less well-known bands continue to sell records -- er, uh -- I mean CDs. Dokken is one of these bands.
One might call Dokken second-rate, since they never hit "long hair metal heaven," as another epinions.com reviewer notes. But second-rate isn't bad either. There are still many of us who hung out at parties and before school listening to these bands and expressing our teenage angst and pent up sexual energy. For us with Dokken's Tooth & Nail cassette or CD (CDs were new technology then) in our collection, Tooth & Nail is the definitive Dokken collection. Many fine memories and feelings are associated with the Dokken classics on this CD. The question begs to be asked: "Isn't this "long hair heavy metal heaven?"
"Without Warning," Tooth & Nail's opening cut, like other heavy metal instrumentals, is memorable but not remarkable. Some good, solid steel guitar in the cut that, when you hear it again, you remember it. It starts soft and grows louder, leading listeners into the album, into the hard-hitting and popular title cut "Tooth & Nail." Though this less-riotus instrumental doesn't garner the attention that Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" captures, it is fitting for this CD.
"Tooth & Nail," the title cut, opens up into powerful driving 80s metal, in contrast with "Without Warning," and maintains the pace and riffs to the end. Perfect for head banging! With lyrics about living in 80s desperation day and night, about living "tooth and nail", breaking the rules, survival of the fittest, "Tooth & Nail" are the only weapons available. The simple repetition of the title phrase immediately expresses how anyone relentlessly "claws" their way to the top.
The next cut, "Just Got Lucky," is a fan favorite, expressing what many of us then and now remember about bittersweet relationships and that wench who broke our hearts. Only the "devil in disguise" could do such a thing! "Just Got Lucky" helped us express our love/hate mixed feelings about our own failed relationships. Despite this, it is still a joy to listen to this track.
"Heartless Heart," the next song, is in the same vein as "Just Got Lucky," but this time, it is a hot woman unaffected by our charms. We can't seem to warm her heart any better, no matter how hard we try. Of course, if she doesn't warm up to us, she won't be happy either. Another great song to help you get over the girl that got away.
"Don't Close Your Eyes" is the most frightening cut on the album. It suggests the cover art of razor-sharp claws lurking in the depths (of our minds). Somebody's watching, are we dreaming? Is our memory playing tricks on us? We can't trust our sense. "Don't close your eyes, or I'll be there."
"When Heaven Comes Down," another largely memorable but not remarkable cut, refers loosely to good/bad, heaven/hell, angels/devils and the ages-old question about what to believe. One way or another, that question will be answered when "Heaven Comes Down."
Playing off themes of the previous title, "Into the Fire" reveals the strength and allure of those things that are wrong but tempt us "into the fire." Like other songs on this release, "Into the Fire" is memorable but not remarkable.
"Bullets to Spare" is about sexual conquest. Every teen can relate to the questionable territory of will-she/won't she. The bullets and guns metaphor carries this title. Dokken helps us remember each "notch" on our gun again.
"Alone Again" is the token power-ballad on Dokken's Tooth & Nail, and the simple but oft-noted title from this album. Like "Just Got Lucky," "Alone Again" is a defining cut from this effort, perhaps THE defining cut by some opinions. "Alone Again" recalls what it is like to wake up alone but still remember the emotion-filled night before of love and loss. No words do this experience justice, but "Alone Again" does a pretty damn fine job of expressing what the experience is like.
Listed in order, one can easily see how songs play against and off one another in pairs. This is the only explanation I can provide for the inclusion of "Turn on the Action" at the end of the album. After the powerful, moving "Alone Again," perhaps the band felt they needed to end the album on an uplifting note, saying in effect that loneliness, no matter how deep or powerful, doesn't last.
To be honest, "Alone Again" is a hard act to follow. It's just too powerful, and certain to overshadow whatever title comes after -- a perfect way to draw listeners through the album from beginning to end. Taken singly, "Turn on the Action" is a solid, catchy metal cut. But put it after "Alone Again" at the end of the album, and you're sure to have the one song that many listeners will skip because it's at the end.
Dokken's Tooth & Nail is an album that many bands then and now would have liked to have released. With songs that stick in our heads and can be recalled and enjoyed yet 20 years after release, Tooth & Nail is a testament to the success of Dokken. Though not as unique as the likes of Van Halen, KISS or AC/DC, Dokken still rocks our psyches better than many other metal bands from the 80s.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.