I love Dysfunctional. It would rank 4th overall. Album 2,3,4 are still better, but I like Dysfuntional better than all the rest including Breaking The Chains. Too High To Fly is maybe my favourite all-time Dokken song.
I'd rank Dysfunctional at 6 (almost tied with but just behind Tooth and Nail if I had to pick one) out of the 11 unique studio albums that they have put out there. I basing this off of what seems like an unusual version of the album which I have that is neither the USA or Japan S/T release. Different versions of many of the songs but using the USA running order and cover art. I also have the actual USA release and don't like that one as much but would probably still have it ranked the same. Edit: If we are factoring in Up From the Ashes then Dysfunctional would be ranked 7 out of 12. Good, solid album; just doesn't have the catchy melodies that they are known for, or better put they are not as strong. George's solos also lean towards just competent rather than among his better moments in Dokken or otherwise.
It's interesting You group them into the hair metal craze but they're way heavier than most of those bands of that Era. Also the subject matter. It goes beyond getting laid and partying. Lost behind the Wall and Will the Sun rise are 2 examples of serious matter lyrically.
Dysfunctional is great, but here is my list of faves: 1. Back For the Attack 2. Up from the Ashes 3. Under Lock and Key 4. Tooth and Nail 5. Lightning Strikes Again 6. Dysfunctional 7. Broken Bones 8. Erase the Slate 9. Long Way Home 10. Hell to Pay 11. Breaking the Chains 12. Shadowlife IMHO, Don is the best singer of his generation...his charismatic tenor is completely unique. His gorgeous melodies are perfectly crafted on all of their recordings. Although Don's range has progressively diminished, 21st century Dokken records are chock full of terrific music.
I've said for years there were a few bands from the 80's that didn't quite get as big as they should've been. Like they were a tad below their contemporaries. Here are a few: Dokken Queensryche Metal Church Testament Death Angel Tesla That's all I have off the top of my head. Great show as usual gents.
Thanks Pete! Some bands undeservedly got left in the dust for sure in the 80s and lots of bands in general dont get their due unfortunately, my documentary is coming out soon about one of them.
Metal Church was hit by line-up issues after the first two albums (which Kurdt openly says was a big reason some fans were alienated and created identity issues for the band). Plus not releasing an album in 1987 and 1988 was a big mistake (that's when metal really went mainstream, including thrash). Dokken didn't have a breakthrough single like Ratt or Bon Jovi did.
@@antimurphy8212 King's X may very well be the most underrated band of all-time. They have such a long history and a fantastic catalogue. Incredibly talented band.
I am aware that Don Dokken has had health and vocal issues in more recent years; but I didn’t know that story Martin relayed about Don being badly beaten up in Hawaii. Has that been published anywhere before?
Though the first four Dokken albums hold a special place in my heart, I always considered "Dysfunctional" criminally underrated, overlooked and sadly forgotten. Arguably the band's most "mature" album, for lack of a better word. Truly timeless, classy and, as Martin might say, "sophisticated" or "smart."
Dysfunctional is a phenomenal album, great production, great songs. Erase the Slate is another one, same level. Finally someone to say good things about this album.
It sure is but Erase the Slate was ok. I was actually more into it when it was released in 1999. Anyhow, I think it's the production that turns me off a little. Pretty thin sounding on the drums and even Reb's guitar. Just my take
@5:00 HEY ALL, as of this morning we ONLY HAVE 20 (not 50) COPIES of Tim's book in softcover left! I just opened our last box! FYI: we've got Record Store Day coming up this weekend (Apr 23) and then a local Record Expo on May 28, and I wouldn't be surprised if we were close to SOLD OUT by then... get 'em BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!
I really love Dysfunctional as well. I played the hell out of it when it was first released and still play it to this day. Definite Beatles influence on the album. When I first heard Hole in me Head I thought it was King’s X at first. It sounds like they were listening to a lot of King’s X at the time as well because I thought this album had really rich and beautiful vocal harmonies.
I've only listened to the 80's albums because in the nineties I was into other kinds of music. But after this show I definetly gonna give Dysfuctional a try. That's why this Contrarians idea is so great. Thanks!
Dokken released some very good albums after the classic 80s Dokken records, especially Up From the Ashes, love that album it's easily up with Dokken's best albums but also Lightning Strikes Again, Dysfunctional and Erase the Slate were very good releases too
Martin is right. Even though "Tooth And Nail" is my favorite Dokken album, the production sound quality comes up short. It is not an album you can crank up all the way, as it gets "screetchy" and distorted sounding. Maybe someday, a good re-master can be done to fix that.
Of course they were, they were a great band with one of the best singers and guitarists of the 1980s Dokken released some of the finest metal albums of all time and to anyone who hates Dokken, Congratulations you have shitty taste
I have always been a huge Dokken and George Lynch fan. Have all of these albums. Oddly enough...I think that 'Lightening Strikes Again' is their best. Kudos Jon Levin! He out-Lynches Lynch on this one.
He is 70 years old that's alot of wear and tear on your voice, the 2016 album is return to the east ,also according to Don dysfunctional sold 400,000 copies,also it sounds like Tim doesn't give dokken very much credit as for they have alot of fans,you know lynch and pilson wrote all of shadowlife Don hates that album,but I think the last 3 albums are really good,dysfunctional is a great album
Great show Tim and Martin! Tooth and Nail is far and away my favorite Dokken album but you are correct. It is not a well recorded album. Back for the Attack is light years ahead of it in its production. Dysfunctional is a pretty solid record and "Too High to Fly" and "What Price" are just monster tracks.
Top five band of all time for me. Good job by you guys. Tooth And Nail, Under Lock And Key and Back For The Attack was an amazing run of albums for this band. I also adore Up From The Ashes and Lightning Strikes Again. Amazing stuff. Don has had a ton of health problems and just can’t sing like he used to, which is a terrible shame, but we’ll always have the albums and the memories of the live shows.
Had to go listen to the album in it's entirety, it's a good album, I still enjoy the 80's stuff more BUT it's pretty good. Nice work as always gentlemen.
It'll never compare to the 80s input of their career but in 1995 it was a breath of fresh air to hear this album compared to all the radio rock garbage out there at that time. This album had grit and balls.
Not according to producer Tom Werman, who says that during the Tooth and Nail sessions Don and George barely spent any time anywhere near each other due to animosity between them.
It’s been a few years since I listened to dysfunctional but the song that always sticks out to me is “the maze” but overall just an ok album but I will revisit it . I think they would have been as big as ANY other 80s band if they would have held together for one more album after Back for the attack . The sky was the limit at that point . But lynch mob is really good too. Can’t wait to see Dokken live next week 🤘 cheers Martin
Don's legacy is not ruined because he's not the singer he once was how tf does that take away Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key, Back For the Attack, Up From the Ashes, etc
I find Dysfunctional to be a very good album. A Dokken for the mid 90s that didn't go too far like Shadowlife(which has a Progmetal album cover, but was not that kind of album. I believe Fates Warning used similar themed artwork for A Pleasant Shade of Gray). As for favorite albums, Breaking the Chains will always be my #1, too much nostalgia and it was the only one I owned until Back for the Attack came out. Funny thing, when this band first came out. I thought that they were a German band. The first song I heard on the radio was Paris Is Burning(which is live in Berlin), Dokken "sounded" like a German name and I believe it was recorded at Dierks Studio in Germany by Michael Wagner. It wasn't until a little while later they I found out that they were, to my surprise, an LA band. I was 13 when this was released in the US.
Just for clarification: “too high was played” on the ‘95 tour. It may not be on the Japan live release but they made it a huge highlight of the show in Columbus, OH and Louisville, KY during that tour during both of those shows I attended. As for the album, I like it a lot. But it would not rank higher than BFTA and ULAK or T&N. It would be in a battle for me between BTC and ETS. Now if I could include up from the ashes then that album would actually be fourth.
dokken was a great and talented band. musically they were head and shoulders above almost all of those bands from that era. two artists whos work you should check out after their commercial peak are dokken and billy squier some great work that people have either forgot about or completely missed when those albums came out
the best Dokken album, even though its considered a solo album… has to be Up From The Ashes… No Skips whatsoever… Don, Billy White from Watch Tower, John Norum from Europe, Mikkey Dee from Motörhead, and Peter Baltes from Accept… there will never be a hard rock album like this one. EVER!
There was talk of Don joining the Scorps, just not the band themselves. Don sang the high vibratos on Balckout, Dynomite, aaaaaaand No one like you a think. That was the whole reason Don went to Germany and then ended up staying because he got paid by Dedier Dirks in studio time where and when he recorded the Don Dokken record Breaking The Chains with Juan Cruccio and.... I forgot the drummer. It was a trio. Don played guitar. This is where the royalty fighting started with Don and George. George claims that he was there, but he wasn't. Don had a record deal, Don had a record out, and Don was on tour in Germany suddenly without a band. He wanted Mick, but Mick came with George, so George came. You are welcome George. If George dd not like Don's melodic vision, he should have stayed home. Don wanted to play guitar as well ala Dave Meniketti and could do so just fine, thank you very much. George wanted in, was let in, and then spent 25 years bitching about it and lies about the formation of Dokken to this day. The Up from the ashes album proved where the Dokken sound came from. Man, pre Dokken was called airborne and they were on the same club bills with Van Halen and Randy Roads' Quiet Riot. ROCKIN WITH DOKKEN!!!
Dysfunctional was a fine album, I believe Don Dokken stated several times that the album sold 400 000 copies during its run. I’d imagine now after 28 years it has hit gold.
Dysfunctional is the Dokken album that divides the fan base. Some love it, some don't like it much at all. For me it's a middle of the pack album with "Too high to Fly" being a top 10 Dokken song. Still gets a listen from time to time.
I still vote Back for the Attack as the best... One of the better hour-long albums of its time, with a balanced variety of songs and amazing deep cuts... Guitar overkill from George, who puts an incredible amount of detail not only on featured solos but outros and guitar fills... There's a lick he does after the first chorus to Heaven Sent, I call it the "whiskey poured into a glass full of ice" lick and it's one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. All kinds of crazy things going on in Cry of the Gypsy, Sleepless Nights, Standing in the Shadows, etc. Then there's the production: I love how the bass sits in the mix, and rhythm guitar sounds like George just plugged his tiger stripes directly into the amp for a simpler, dry and raspy tone... Not that I don't like the previous sounds, but It sounds less saturated here and does have tons of clarity when the leads come in... I believe Neil Kernon also produced Rage for Order by Queensryche and this is a similar thing... Anyway, it really sounds like the band wanted to give everyone their fill on this one...
Huge dokken fan I am a fan of George lynch fan I had never heard the story about Don getting in a fight, but I can say along with the fans they are not hair metal but I think if Don still wants to tour even though he can't hit the notes like he used to but if the fans want to see them then who cares I seen them this summer and I would see them again
I cause m glad Martin said what he did cause I've always said Dysfunctional sounded better than Back for the Attack and IMO was actually a better album.
Tim must be trolling us since the Hysteria episode 😄I am 49yo and discovered Dokken with Back for the Attack when it came out and nothing beats it in my book, maybe the first Lynch Mob will come very close. My #2&3 choice would be Under Lock and key and T&N. I don;t mind Dysfunctional for Dokken has been WAY worse later on. Although, nothing as BAD as Lynch Mob's Smoke This ! i do completely disagree with Martin regarding this feeling like a follow up to Back for the Attack, it felt more like what the self titled The Cult felt after Ceremony/Sonic Temple.
Wikipedia is incorrect. Nothing recorded by dokken in the '90s has been certified by the RIAA. The live album from 1988 was certified gold and that was it. The three albums before that were all certified 1x platinum.
Hell, I think that Tooth and Nail may be the best album ever made, across all genres of music. Not a bad or even so-so song on it, great from start to finish!
I love Dysfunctional. I still love album 2,3,4 better, but I like Dysfuntional better than the rest, including Breaking the Chains. Too High To Fly is maybe my favourite Dokken song.
Dysfunctional to me just sounds like a compromised Dokken. The songs never really go their full potential, always staying in this slow, 90's safe space. The Alice In Chains type vocal harmonies also immediately dates it. I don't know what you'd call it, those kind of "eatern" sounding vocal harmonies? The band still sounds great, and the production is clean. There isn't much to outright dislike, but not much to like either. Up From the Ashes, however, is much more of a Dokken album, in my book. It sounds better, and isn't afraid to go the extra mile (or 1000 miles).
I don't hear Alice in Chains harmonies. I hear Don Mick and Jeff. It's a different album with a band who matured. You're not going to hear lyrics about partying and chicks in 1995. That's the way it is. I always thought Don Dokken wrote some great thought provoking lyrics and it was overshadowed by the love subjected songs. Songs like Till the Living End, When heaven comes down, Will the sun rise, and Lost behind the Wall are just great examples of Don thinking outside the box. I still enjoy Dysfunctional.
I have a variation of Dysfunctional that has some alternate (and better) versions of quite a few of the tracks compared to as they were on the USA release, but it is not the Japanese S/T either as it has all eleven of the tracks on the USA release using that same running order, but not the Japanese bonus track. It uses the USA cover art. Some of the songs like Shadows of Life and Lesser of Two Evils are not exactly the same as either the USA or Japan release. Other tracks like What Price and Sweet Chains are also different versions and have parts added to them. In every case I liked these alternate versions better.
@@shiningphantasy1393 Yeah I got that one as well. I still like the S/T version better though. Most of the song such as the Maze and Nothing Left to Say are the same as the U.S. version are the same, if you can try and hear the version of Too High to Fly from the S/T version. I really wished they used it for the U.S. release.
How can Martin call himself a NWOBHM aficionado?! He hasn't got a clue about it, he thinks it's a genre when anyone in the UK who was involved at the time (he wasn't) knows it was a movement. 😂
It's a really good album, but the 80's albums are the be all end all for me. What also helps "Dysfunctional", is the catastrophe which was "Shadowlife." Those 80's records were for all intents and purposes 1A, 1B,1C records with "Breaking the Chains" not too far behind. You don't have that with "Dysfunctional", as it sort of sits alone with no real competition, residing in a year in 1995 which was full of absolute dreg when it comes to what metal artists were putting out that year. I hate that year, hence the reason that Dokken album stands out.
The first two lynchmob albums are great but whoever said the new albums of dokken are fantastic and Jon Levin guitar playing is great whoever said Jeff pilson is a better singer than Don dokken is full of crap,Jeff can sing no Question but is not the singer Don dokken was
Very contrarian. Not as good as any of the 80s stuff. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd best Dokken/Don Dokken album of the 90s. It's not Shadowlife, its got that going for it.
I really like George Lynch's playing and have been listening a lot to his non-Dokken releases. I can safely say that I've never liked Dokken (don't understand what's the big deal about them, don't like the songs) BUT not too long ago I listened to Shadowlife (because I heard it was a very different album in their catalogue), and just love it! I've never heard Dysfuntional but I should really give it spin. Great show. Cheers.
More outright nonsense from Tim. Is this a big joke he is playing on us? Because it's starting to wear thin. "Tooth And Nail" is the best Dokken album. "Under Lock And Key" "Back For The Attack" and "Breakin' The Chains" are also better than "Dysfunctional".
Saw DOKKEN open for DIO. 1️⃣1️⃣/8️⃣4️⃣. MEADOWLANDS NJ. I own “ every single album in their “ discography “ I’m obviously “ big fan”. TIM/ MARTIN great episode! Thank you 👍💯
Where is Dysfunctional fall in your ranking of the Dokken albums?
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Surprisingly in my top 3!
I love Dysfunctional. It would rank 4th overall. Album 2,3,4 are still better, but I like Dysfuntional better than all the rest including Breaking The Chains. Too High To Fly is maybe my favourite all-time Dokken song.
I'd rank Dysfunctional at 6 (almost tied with but just behind Tooth and Nail if I had to pick one) out of the 11 unique studio albums that they have put out there. I basing this off of what seems like an unusual version of the album which I have that is neither the USA or Japan S/T release. Different versions of many of the songs but using the USA running order and cover art. I also have the actual USA release and don't like that one as much but would probably still have it ranked the same. Edit: If we are factoring in Up From the Ashes then Dysfunctional would be ranked 7 out of 12. Good, solid album; just doesn't have the catchy melodies that they are known for, or better put they are not as strong. George's solos also lean towards just competent rather than among his better moments in Dokken or otherwise.
It's interesting You group them into the hair metal craze but they're way heavier than most of those bands of that Era. Also the subject matter. It goes beyond getting laid and partying. Lost behind the Wall and Will the Sun rise are 2 examples of serious matter lyrically.
Dysfunctional is great, but here is my list of faves:
1. Back For the Attack
2. Up from the Ashes
3. Under Lock and Key
4. Tooth and Nail
5. Lightning Strikes Again
6. Dysfunctional
7. Broken Bones
8. Erase the Slate
9. Long Way Home
10. Hell to Pay
11. Breaking the Chains
12. Shadowlife
IMHO, Don is the best singer of his generation...his charismatic tenor is completely unique. His gorgeous melodies are perfectly crafted on all of their recordings. Although Don's range has progressively diminished, 21st century Dokken records are chock full of terrific music.
I've said for years there were a few bands from the 80's that didn't quite get as big as they should've been. Like they were a tad below their contemporaries.
Here are a few:
Dokken
Queensryche
Metal Church
Testament
Death Angel
Tesla
That's all I have off the top of my head.
Great show as usual gents.
Thanks Pete! Some bands undeservedly got left in the dust for sure in the 80s and lots of bands in general dont get their due unfortunately, my documentary is coming out soon about one of them.
Overkill, Kix, King's X, drivin n crying, triumph, exciter, raven, and anvil. Those are the bands off the top of my head.
Don said himself they were one album away from super status.
Metal Church was hit by line-up issues after the first two albums (which Kurdt openly says was a big reason some fans were alienated and created identity issues for the band). Plus not releasing an album in 1987 and 1988 was a big mistake (that's when metal really went mainstream, including thrash).
Dokken didn't have a breakthrough single like Ratt or Bon Jovi did.
@@antimurphy8212 King's X may very well be the most underrated band of all-time. They have such a long history and a fantastic catalogue. Incredibly talented band.
I am aware that Don Dokken has had health and vocal issues in more recent years; but I didn’t know that story Martin relayed about Don being badly beaten up in Hawaii. Has that been published anywhere before?
The Maze is my favorite Dokken song and one of my favorite songs of all time. Always enjoy Tim as a guest.
Though the first four Dokken albums hold a special place in my heart, I always considered "Dysfunctional" criminally underrated, overlooked and sadly forgotten. Arguably the band's most "mature" album, for lack of a better word. Truly timeless, classy and, as Martin might say, "sophisticated" or "smart."
Dysfunctional is a phenomenal album, great production, great songs. Erase the Slate is another one, same level. Finally someone to say good things about this album.
It sure is but Erase the Slate was ok. I was actually more into it when it was released in 1999. Anyhow, I think it's the production that turns me off a little. Pretty thin sounding on the drums and even Reb's guitar. Just my take
@5:00 HEY ALL, as of this morning we ONLY HAVE 20 (not 50) COPIES of Tim's book in softcover left! I just opened our last box! FYI: we've got Record Store Day coming up this weekend (Apr 23) and then a local Record Expo on May 28, and I wouldn't be surprised if we were close to SOLD OUT by then... get 'em BEFORE THEY'RE GONE!
I really love Dysfunctional as well. I played the hell out of it when it was first released and still play it to this day. Definite Beatles influence on the album. When I first heard Hole in me Head I thought it was King’s X at first. It sounds like they were listening to a lot of King’s X at the time as well because I thought this album had really rich and beautiful vocal harmonies.
I've only listened to the 80's albums because in the nineties I was into other kinds of music.
But after this show I definetly gonna give Dysfuctional a try. That's why this Contrarians idea is so great. Thanks!
Thanks Jon hope you enjoy it!
BACK FOR THE ATTACK is a masterpiece.....a perfect album
Dokken released some very good albums after the classic 80s Dokken records, especially Up From the Ashes, love that album it's easily up with Dokken's best albums but also Lightning Strikes Again, Dysfunctional and Erase the Slate were very good releases too
Amen to all that.
Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key and Back for the Attack
Martin is right. Even though "Tooth And Nail" is my favorite Dokken album, the production sound quality comes up short. It is not an album you can crank up all the way, as it gets "screetchy" and distorted sounding. Maybe someday, a good re-master can be done to fix that.
Dokken was in my humble opinion one of the 80's best bands. Killer songs,good albums and killer musicans. George Lynch is in a class of his own.
Of course they were, they were a great band with one of the best singers and guitarists of the 1980s Dokken released some of the finest metal albums of all time and to anyone who hates Dokken, Congratulations you have shitty taste
Great show! I’m with you Tim; Dysfunctional is solid all the way through and warrants being a top 3 Dokken album depending on my mood.
Erase the Slate with Reb Beach on lead is my favorite post 80's Dokken album. It has that classic Dokken sound.
TOO HIGH TO FLY and NOTHING LEFT TO SAY are both fucking killer.
I have always been a huge Dokken and George Lynch fan. Have all of these albums. Oddly enough...I think that 'Lightening Strikes Again' is their best. Kudos Jon Levin! He out-Lynches Lynch on this one.
He is 70 years old that's alot of wear and tear on your voice, the 2016 album is return to the east ,also according to Don dysfunctional sold 400,000 copies,also it sounds like Tim doesn't give dokken very much credit as for they have alot of fans,you know lynch and pilson wrote all of shadowlife Don hates that album,but I think the last 3 albums are really good,dysfunctional is a great album
Great show Tim and Martin! Tooth and Nail is far and away my favorite Dokken album but you are correct. It is not a well recorded album. Back for the Attack is light years ahead of it in its production. Dysfunctional is a pretty solid record and "Too High to Fly" and "What Price" are just monster tracks.
Great show!
Thank you!
Top five band of all time for me. Good job by you guys. Tooth And Nail, Under Lock And Key and Back For The Attack was an amazing run of albums for this band. I also adore Up From The Ashes and Lightning Strikes Again. Amazing stuff. Don has had a ton of health problems and just can’t sing like he used to, which is a terrible shame, but we’ll always have the albums and the memories of the live shows.
Great info thanks!
Had to go listen to the album in it's entirety, it's a good album, I still enjoy the 80's stuff more BUT it's pretty good. Nice work as always gentlemen.
It'll never compare to the 80s input of their career but in 1995 it was a breath of fresh air to hear this album compared to all the radio rock garbage out there at that time. This album had grit and balls.
@@antimurphy8212 It definitely is better than all the 90's crap that started coming out at that time. Some rockin' tunes on it!
Apparently all the drama between Don and George was a record company contrivance to get some press for the band. Oddly, it became reality later on.
Not according to producer Tom Werman, who says that during the Tooth and Nail sessions Don and George barely spent any time anywhere near each other due to animosity between them.
It’s been a few years since I listened to dysfunctional but the song that always sticks out to me is “the maze” but overall just an ok album but I will revisit it . I think they would have been as big as ANY other 80s band if they would have held together for one more album after Back for the attack . The sky was the limit at that point . But lynch mob is really good too. Can’t wait to see Dokken live next week 🤘 cheers Martin
Their cover of From The Beginning is amazing
I didn't realize that unspooled was available as a hardcover. I got it as a soft cover
Dysfunctional has always been my favorite Dokken album.
You're a contrarian at heart!
Don's legacy is not ruined because he's not the singer he once was how tf does that take away Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key, Back For the Attack, Up From the Ashes, etc
I find Dysfunctional to be a very good album. A Dokken for the mid 90s that didn't go too far like Shadowlife(which has a Progmetal album cover, but was not that kind of album. I believe Fates Warning used similar themed artwork for A Pleasant Shade of Gray). As for favorite albums, Breaking the Chains will always be my #1, too much nostalgia and it was the only one I owned until Back for the Attack came out. Funny thing, when this band first came out. I thought that they were a German band. The first song I heard on the radio was Paris Is Burning(which is live in Berlin), Dokken "sounded" like a German name and I believe it was recorded at Dierks Studio in Germany by Michael Wagner. It wasn't until a little while later they I found out that they were, to my surprise, an LA band. I was 13 when this was released in the US.
Out of all the 80s stuff breaking the chains is my least favorite album by Dokken. It was more of a Don Dokken solo record. That's probably why.
Just for clarification: “too high was played” on the ‘95 tour. It may not be on the Japan live release but they made it a huge highlight of the show in Columbus, OH and Louisville, KY during that tour during both of those shows I attended.
As for the album, I like it a lot. But it would not rank higher than BFTA and ULAK or T&N. It would be in a battle for me between BTC and ETS.
Now if I could include up from the ashes then that album would actually be fourth.
Dysfuntional is officially certified gold in America
dokken was a great and talented band. musically they were head and shoulders above almost all of those bands from that era. two artists whos work you should check out after their commercial peak are dokken and billy squier some great work that people have either forgot about or completely missed when those albums came out
the best Dokken album, even though its considered a solo album… has to be Up From The Ashes… No Skips whatsoever… Don, Billy White from Watch Tower, John Norum from Europe, Mikkey Dee from Motörhead, and Peter Baltes from Accept… there will never be a hard rock album like this one. EVER!
There was talk of Don joining the Scorps, just not the band themselves. Don sang the high vibratos on Balckout, Dynomite, aaaaaaand No one like you a think. That was the whole reason Don went to Germany and then ended up staying because he got paid by Dedier Dirks in studio time where and when he recorded the Don Dokken record Breaking The Chains with Juan Cruccio and.... I forgot the drummer. It was a trio. Don played guitar. This is where the royalty fighting started with Don and George. George claims that he was there, but he wasn't. Don had a record deal, Don had a record out, and Don was on tour in Germany suddenly without a band. He wanted Mick, but Mick came with George, so George came. You are welcome George. If George dd not like Don's melodic vision, he should have stayed home. Don wanted to play guitar as well ala Dave Meniketti and could do so just fine, thank you very much. George wanted in, was let in, and then spent 25 years bitching about it and lies about the formation of Dokken to this day. The Up from the ashes album proved where the Dokken sound came from. Man, pre Dokken was called airborne and they were on the same club bills with Van Halen and Randy Roads' Quiet Riot. ROCKIN WITH DOKKEN!!!
Dysfunctional was a fine album, I believe Don Dokken stated several times that the album sold 400 000 copies during its run. I’d imagine now after 28 years it has hit gold.
My favorite Dokken album as well.
Dysfunctional is the Dokken album that divides the fan base. Some love it, some don't like it much at all. For me it's a middle of the pack album with "Too high to Fly" being a top 10 Dokken song. Still gets a listen from time to time.
Back For The Attack is my fav
I still vote Back for the Attack as the best... One of the better hour-long albums of its time, with a balanced variety of songs and amazing deep cuts... Guitar overkill from George, who puts an incredible amount of detail not only on featured solos but outros and guitar fills... There's a lick he does after the first chorus to Heaven Sent, I call it the "whiskey poured into a glass full of ice" lick and it's one of the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard. All kinds of crazy things going on in Cry of the Gypsy, Sleepless Nights, Standing in the Shadows, etc. Then there's the production: I love how the bass sits in the mix, and rhythm guitar sounds like George just plugged his tiger stripes directly into the amp for a simpler, dry and raspy tone... Not that I don't like the previous sounds, but It sounds less saturated here and does have tons of clarity when the leads come in... I believe Neil Kernon also produced Rage for Order by Queensryche and this is a similar thing... Anyway, it really sounds like the band wanted to give everyone their fill on this one...
Under Lock And Key is a great album.
Huge dokken fan I am a fan of George lynch fan I had never heard the story about Don getting in a fight, but I can say along with the fans they are not hair metal but I think if Don still wants to tour even though he can't hit the notes like he used to but if the fans want to see them then who cares I seen them this summer and I would see them again
I cause m glad Martin said what he did cause I've
always said Dysfunctional sounded better than Back for the Attack and IMO was actually a better album.
Don sang all the high parts on the scorpions album
Tim must be trolling us since the Hysteria episode 😄I am 49yo and discovered Dokken with Back for the Attack when it came out and nothing beats it in my book, maybe the first Lynch Mob will come very close. My #2&3 choice would be Under Lock and key and T&N. I don;t mind Dysfunctional for Dokken has been WAY worse later on. Although, nothing as BAD as Lynch Mob's Smoke This ! i do completely disagree with Martin regarding this feeling like a follow up to Back for the Attack, it felt more like what the self titled The Cult felt after Ceremony/Sonic Temple.
Didn't Don have throat problems many years ago? His voice was destroyed.
Wikipedia is incorrect.
Nothing recorded by dokken in the '90s has been certified by the RIAA. The live album from 1988 was certified gold and that was it. The three albums before that were all certified 1x platinum.
Tooth and Nail is Dokken best album no contest.
Hell, I think that Tooth and Nail may be the best album ever made, across all genres of music. Not a bad or even so-so song on it, great from start to finish!
Dysfunctional is a great record.
Tooth and nail great but under lock And key, back for the attack, tooth and nail top 3
I love Dysfunctional. I still love album 2,3,4 better, but I like Dysfuntional better than the rest, including Breaking the Chains. Too High To Fly is maybe my favourite Dokken song.
Dysfunctional to me just sounds like a compromised Dokken. The songs never really go their full potential, always staying in this slow, 90's safe space. The Alice In Chains type vocal harmonies also immediately dates it. I don't know what you'd call it, those kind of "eatern" sounding vocal harmonies? The band still sounds great, and the production is clean. There isn't much to outright dislike, but not much to like either. Up From the Ashes, however, is much more of a Dokken album, in my book. It sounds better, and isn't afraid to go the extra mile (or 1000 miles).
I don't hear Alice in Chains harmonies. I hear Don Mick and Jeff. It's a different album with a band who matured. You're not going to hear lyrics about partying and chicks in 1995. That's the way it is. I always thought Don Dokken wrote some great thought provoking lyrics and it was overshadowed by the love subjected songs. Songs like Till the Living End, When heaven comes down, Will the sun rise, and Lost behind the Wall are just great examples of Don thinking outside the box. I still enjoy Dysfunctional.
I still like the Japanese S/T version better than the North American Dysfunctional
I have a variation of Dysfunctional that has some alternate (and better) versions of quite a few of the tracks compared to as they were on the USA release, but it is not the Japanese S/T either as it has all eleven of the tracks on the USA release using that same running order, but not the Japanese bonus track. It uses the USA cover art. Some of the songs like Shadows of Life and Lesser of Two Evils are not exactly the same as either the USA or Japan release. Other tracks like What Price and Sweet Chains are also different versions and have parts added to them. In every case I liked these alternate versions better.
@@shiningphantasy1393 Yeah I got that one as well. I still like the S/T version better though. Most of the song such as the Maze and Nothing Left to Say are the same as the U.S. version are the same, if you can try and hear the version of Too High to Fly from the S/T version. I really wished they used it for the U.S. release.
@@shiningphantasy1393 Sorry I mean the song Long Way Home.
DETEST the term hair metal, such a putdown!!!! just my two cents, Dokken great band!!!
I really like Dysfunctional, but I can't call it my favorite. It's probably #4 for me.. Really good, though!
Shadow Life was so bad because George wanted it to be the end of Dokken.
How can Martin call himself a NWOBHM aficionado?! He hasn't got a clue about it, he thinks it's a genre when anyone in the UK who was involved at the time (he wasn't) knows it was a movement. 😂
It's a really good album, but the 80's albums are the be all end all for me. What also helps "Dysfunctional", is the catastrophe which was "Shadowlife." Those 80's records were for all intents and purposes 1A, 1B,1C records with "Breaking the Chains" not too far behind. You don't have that with "Dysfunctional", as it sort of sits alone with no real competition, residing in a year in 1995 which was full of absolute dreg when it comes to what metal artists were putting out that year. I hate that year, hence the reason that Dokken album stands out.
the japan lp that came out 1 year earlier .......is better !!......sounds better !!
The first two lynchmob albums are great but whoever said the new albums of dokken are fantastic and Jon Levin guitar playing is great whoever said Jeff pilson is a better singer than Don dokken is full of crap,Jeff can sing no Question but is not the singer Don dokken was
Very contrarian. Not as good as any of the 80s stuff. Maybe the 2nd or 3rd best Dokken/Don Dokken album of the 90s. It's not Shadowlife, its got that going for it.
No mention of Beast from the East ? Great song collection but the snare drum sound is awful...can't stand it... was it really live?
Top 5 Dokken Albums
1 Dokken (Not Dysfunctional)
2 Tooth & Nail
3 Breaking the Chains
4 Back for the Attack
5 Under Lock & Key
I really like George Lynch's playing and have been listening a lot to his non-Dokken releases. I can safely say that I've never liked Dokken (don't understand what's the big deal about them, don't like the songs) BUT not too long ago I listened to Shadowlife (because I heard it was a very different album in their catalogue), and just love it! I've never heard Dysfuntional but I should really give it spin. Great show. Cheers.
More outright nonsense from Tim. Is this a big joke he is playing on us? Because it's starting to wear thin. "Tooth And Nail" is the best Dokken album. "Under Lock And Key" "Back For The Attack" and "Breakin' The Chains" are also better than "Dysfunctional".
Saw DOKKEN open for DIO. 1️⃣1️⃣/8️⃣4️⃣. MEADOWLANDS NJ. I own “ every single album in their “ discography “ I’m obviously “ big fan”. TIM/ MARTIN great episode! Thank you 👍💯
Wow that would have been awesome to see! Thanks!