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Dokken's vocals on this album are, in my opinion, at their pinnacle in this album. Just listen to him hit the soaring notes in "Slippin' Away," an awesome ballad, or sample his vocal power in "Lightning Strikes Again." "Unchain the Night" is another example of how Dokken outshines most other 80's metal wailers [vocally]. This album is proof positive that Don Dokken is one of the 80's best vocalists. He injects passion and vitality into Dokken's songs.

...but Don would be "just another band" without their signature sound-- that of axeman George Lynch. His guitar talent and skill rivals that of other of the 80's best axemen-- no joke. Any of his solos on this album will prove that. Check out the solo in "Unchain the Night" to be persuaded. The crisp, clean distortion sound that jumps off of his guitar in this album was/is one of the definitive sounds in 80's metal. Lynch seems to be able to make the standard pings, squeals, crunches, riffs, and chugs seem extraordinary. For some of his best solos on this album also check out "The Hunter," "In My Dreams," and "Till the Livin' End". But let us not overlook the passion of his guitar in "Slippin' Away" and "Jaded Heart." Nor the sheer power in "It's Not Love" (one of the three BIG hits from this album), "Lightning Strikes Again," "Don't Lie To Me," and "Till the Livin' End."

Pure and simple: Lynch is beyond awesome! (For what I think is his best solo ever, see Dokken's '87 "Back For the Attack" release for the instrumental "Mr. Scary" showcasing Lynch at his finest.)

There are three major singles from this album (tracks 1, 3, and 6), but there isn't one song on here that could be considered filler. This album is solid throughout.

"Under Lock and Key," with a mix of fast songs, blistering guitar riffs and solos, soaring vocals, and tight songwriting, is one of the 80's best metal albums-- despite the fact that it is clumped under the "glam metal" genre.

This albums is a MUST HAVE for any 80's metal fan, or for any fan of top-notch guitar work. BUY IT NOW!


A well-crafted album.   July 29, 2000
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Under Lock and Key is my favorite album from Dokken. This album holds personal significance to me. I first got the cassette of Under Lock and Key in 1986 when I was a teenager. Shortly before, I had seen a couple of the album's videos. For a long time, I couldn't get enough of it. I listened to the album incessantly. It's hard to believe that it has been fourteen years since I first listened to this album. This disc opened the doors to a lot of music that I subsequently started to listen to. Even though I don't listen to Under Lock and Key as much as I did when I was younger, I still have and always will have a tremendous amount of respect for it. The album consists of ten tracks and is in a melodic hard rock direction. Under Lock and Key contains a nice variety of songs. There are straight-ahead rockers, ballads, and a couple of heavy, metallic ones. The musicianship, songwriting, and production are all quite impressive. George Lynch does a very good job with the guitar playing; he has his own style of playing. His solos are well constructed, and there are some cool, memorable guitar riffs. Don Dokken does an energetic job with the vocals. The backing vocals from the group are also very nice. My favorite songs are "Unchain the Night," "In My Dreams," "Jaded Heart," and "Will the Sun Rise." "In My Dreams" features catchy backing vocals and a well-crafted guitar solo (one of my favorite guitar solos) from George Lynch. Don Dokken's vocals on the ballad "Jaded Heart" are nice. George Lynch also plays a killer guitar riff on "Unchain the Night." None of the ten tracks are bad. "Lightnin' Strikes Again" and "Til the Livin' End" display the heavy, metallic side of the band. I also like the album cover. The guys really have a cool look. Under Lock and Key is a consistent album that is quite impressive. It's a better-than-good representation of melodic hard rock. It emanates melody, energy, and emotion. I actually give it 3.5 stars. It's well worth a listen.


EXCELLENT pop-metal offering   February 24, 2006
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This release was more commercial friendly then their magnificent TOOTH AND NAIL, but it is still just as enjoyable - just different. Lyrically speaking, there are at 4-5 songs on here that explore the "having been wronged by the femme-fatale" theme that appears often enough on Dokken releases so as to almost make those lyrics a Dokken trademark.

Anyone who has ever been disappointed in love should be able to relate to Dokken's thorough covering of the subject, whether it be "searching for love on the lonely streets again" (The Hunter), betrayal of confidence (Don't Lie To Me), yearning for a love that still flourishes although it is history (In My Dreams), or the helplessness one feels when a loved one exits one's life (Slippin' Away). I think that has been a big reason Dokken has had such a lasting appeal to their fans because this is a subject so many of them can relate to.

I love Don Dokken's voice. He doesn't exhibit the same range as someone like Rob Halford (then again, who does?), but his voice can suit perfectly for all-out rockers like "Lightnin' Strikes" or ballads like "Slippin' Away" with equal justification. Can you imagine Rob Halford or Ronnie James Dio singing ballads? To me, it just doesn't work as well as Don Dokken's would on Dokken's ballads. Don's voice and style works out great in either capacity.

The first three songs, plus "Don't Lie To Me", are what I would classify as "melodic metal" - musically speaking, similar in style to the Scorpions. A theme and beat is recorded and diversified with George Lynch's intricate guitar work so as to maintain listener interest through the songs.

"Unchain the Night" is a great opener to the release - a mid-tempo track with a thumping bass hook and Don Dokken's soaring vocals. Dokken had opened shows with this number on tour before.

"The Hunter" is a another mid-tempo track, similar to the previous one. Lyrically it's about a broken-hearted guy "searching for love on the lonely streets again" that he himself acknowledges may be in vain.

"In My Dreams" - remember the video to this? George Lynch's fancy fingerwork in this guitar solo is AMAZING. (Incidentally, some techno-dance musicians call THE PARTY redid this in 1991 that promises an intersting comparison.) "Don't Lie To Me" on the same CD is similar to this song.

"Slippin' Away" is a power-ballad similar to "Alone Again" Dokken had released a year earlier. "Jaded Heart" is the other slow song on the CD.

"Lightnin' Strikes" and "Til The Livin' End" are the all out, rapid fire tempo songs on here with the thunderous drums and Lynch's lightning fast fretwork. That is stuff to crash your car to.

"It's Not Love" got a fair amount or radio and MTV airplay It does not happen to be one of my preferred Dokken recording, but it is a fan favorite, so let the other reviews tell you more about that track.

"Will The Sun Rise" sounds like a song that could have appreared on Def Leppard's HYSTERIA. It is a political statement against war. Listen to the song "Give It Up" from Don Dokken's solo CD UP FROM THE ASHES. They are lyrically similar.

Give this Dokken offering a serious listen - it ranks up there with "Tooth And Nail" as their best release.



Dokken's best studio album   May 27, 2000
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

THE BAND: George Lynch (guitars), Don Dokken (vocals), Jeff Pilson (bass), Mick Brown (drums).

THE DISC: (1985) 10 songs clocking in at 42.5 minutes. Included with the disc is a 6-page booklet with song lyrics, 1 black & white band picture, and thank you's. Recorded at Amigo Studios, North Hollywood, CA. Label - Elektra.

COMMENTS: "Under Lock & Key" is Dokken at their peak. 10 great songs, cool lyrics, trademark Lynch shredding, unsurpassed Don Dokken vocals. Typical album cover from the mid 80's 'Hair' era - leather and spandex pants, colorful blue/purple/red shirts and blazors, big hair and a gallon of make-up. "In My Dreams", "The Hunter", "It's Not Love" are all great songs - and each made it to their "Very Best Of Dokken" album released in 1999. "Unchain The Night" is another gem and a great album opener. 3 of the 4 songs mentioned here also made it their "One Night Live" (1996) album as well. There are some amazing deep album cuts ("Slipping Away", "Jaded Heart", "Will The Sun Rise") that never got old. Don is harmonizing at his absolute best. Lynch blisters on guitar (as always). Pilson & Brown are steady and by know means should they be outshined by the 2 leaders of this band (both went onto to be wonderful session players with other well-known rock bands). Even though Dokken was classified as one of those metal hair bands of the 1980's, I think they were much more. Wizard guitar talent, vocally trained, great song writing, craft and appealing melodies - Dokken possessed all the traits. Some will argue "Tooth And Nail" (1987) may be their best disc, but for song for song if I had to choose one - "Under Lock And Key" is it. Wondering if Dokken's (early) catalog will get the deluxe digital remastered treatment somewhere in the future... regardless - Great disc.