When Nirvana burst onto the scene with the grunge -rock anthem " Smells Like Teen Spirit", it officially (in the minds of many) marked the end of the hair band driven heavy metal era of the 1980's.
The heavy leather, chains and sex, drugs, and rock and roll image were quickly replaced by flannel shirt wearing grunge rockers equipped with more insightful songwriting and understated images. That much duplicated scene has since run it's course as well.
Many experts and naive audiences believe that the vast majority of the so- called metal bands two decades ago were a bunch of bums with their predictable power chords, heavy leather,over moussed hair,and nothing more.
But wait one second; Upon second glance, there are a few standouts that emerged from the genre like Van Halen, Def Leppard,and Ratt,as well as Metallica.But arguably the most talented and viable of the hair era are the L.A. based four-some known as Dokken.
Beyond the exploits of premier guitarist George Lynch, multi- talented bassist Jeff Pilson,and "Wild Man" Mick Brown on drums, the backbone of the group lies in the pipes of their singer from which the band created their name, none other than Don Dokken himself.
Dokken, unlike his high -haired contemporaies of the day stands out as one of the few metal singers that can actually SING. Technicaly gifted with a clairvoyant tone and great range,Dokken delivers the legitimate touch and polish to the tracks on the groups 1999 release "Erase The Slate".
The album marks the departure of Lynch as the lead axe-man but the arrival of a new ingredient; Reb Beach,the former guitarist of Winger. Some would find such a development laughable upon hearing of a world- class band like Dokken recruiting a musician from a teeny bopper pop- metal act, but there isn't anything amusing about the element Beach brings to the the mix here. He serves as more than an adequate replacement and his performance on this record by no means is a second- string effort.
His exploits on "Erase" offer little in the ground- breaking in regards to riffs or tones,since the vast majority of the material on "Erase" is standard 9 to 5 Dokken, but Beach's business as usual approach and fluidity in his playing offers the strong suggestion that Dokken, with Beach on board, makes Lynch's absence hardly noticeable, a rare accomplishmnent in a high- profile rock n roll situation.
Because of it's straight-forward metal approach,radio programmers obviously more inclined to adhere to the current market-place - rap- metal in particular, obviously have the door shut on giving a record like this a chance to see daylight. That is a real prejudice facing bands that are cut from the metal cloth.
Drawbacks aside,Beach is again the focal point of the record on tracks like " Change The World", the punchy and high - pitched riff on "Drown", and the grungy tonation on "Haunted Lullabye". Dokken chmes in with a well delivered attempt to deliver another "Alone Without You" (their top 10 ballad from 1985) with "Who Believes", accompanied by Jeff Pilson switching from his bass to the acoustic,and a unsuspecting Beach delivering a riff sprinkled with melancoly. One of the group's best recordings is the funky and edgy "Voice of The Soul", where the group are at their collective best. A simple keyboard effect serves as a well timed and appropriately placed backdrop to Pilson's rhythmic bass line and Beach's menancing solo work.
Another plus is the production. Upon chatting with Mick Brown in person when touring off the first Lynch Mob album, he stated that the drum fills on past Dokken records had been poorly recorded. On "Erase" it is clear that the issue has been resolved.The harmonics and clarity of Brown's work blend well with the rest of the musician's tracks,giving the songs added backbone and superior punch.
Upon first listen," Erase The Slate" sounds like a re-tread of already covered ground, but with a viable vocalist like Don Dokken at the helm and with a couple of rotations to boot,this recording offers the new listener all kinds of excitement and for the semi to die- hard fans,enough ammunition to keep one entertained.
It may not be the all- world masterpiece from track to track that was " Back For The Attack',or a record with some of the commercial viability of portions of "Tooth And Nail", but any one curious enough to take a look at "Erase The Slate" will find it to be if not a five-star LP(though for some that may be a possibility),it certainly rates as a STRONG three (3) to 3 1/2 star release.

C.S.
6-1-03