Under the Gun--RealAudio

John Norum takes over for the once-again departed George Lynch, and does a pretty good impression on both the rhythms and the solos. The only problem is that the tracks aren't as aggressive or biting as the Dokken of old--even being tamer than the 'Dysfunctional' album a few years back. Several tracks do have some strong cuts and grooves, but overall the band continues to dwell in a metal realm that does little to set them apart or get them noticed. A handful of extremely slow, ballady songs doesn't help either.
Question: If Don wants to write non-popular, semi-heavy music, why not write non-popular, semi-heavy music circa 1987? Neither will make him rich in this day and age, but he'd at least then be giving his fans what they wanted...
"Sunless Days" has a good, steady rhythm, and "Under the Gun" hearkens back to the band's faster days. "Little Girl" shows that Beatle-esque feel that Don has attempted over the past few years, and the rhythm of "You" is in the same vein--ala King's X.
"Magic Road" is a decent track, and also featured is the cover "Heart Full of Soul".

TRACK LIST: Sunless Days/Little Girl/Everybody Needs (To Be With Someone)/You/Goodbye My Friend/Magic Road/There Was a Time/Heart Full of Soul/Under the Gun/I've Found