Elektra Records - 1985
9.5/10
1985 has to be one of my favorite years for metal, if only because it was around then when all the late '70s and early '80s so-called "VHS metal" bands were spreading from their general heavy metal sleaze and adapting a more defined sounds. Dokken are such a fun example of this, as they heavily hinted at a warmer sound under the accessible yet thunderous scope in Tooth And Nailed, and leaned even deeper into the glam metal sensation without ditching the riffs, big solos, or attitude. George Lynch and co. long established their ability to even craft a ballad that doesn't drift from the roots in "Alone Again," so it only makes sense that they could spruce up the same idea and double down with MTV pop sensation while continuing to bring the weight. Perhaps less of a hot take now than it would have been a decade ago, Under Lock And Key is just as powerful, if only more accessible, and is pumped with just as much life as its heavier counterpart.
On the surface, all this really means is putting a little more of the catchy emphasis on the choruses, making them easy enough to sing-along to and become an earworm, while crispening up the production just a tad. If there's really one fundamental difference between the prior record and this one, it's the latter point. Indeed, the raw grit that came with some of the speed oriented tracks is void this time around, giving Dokken's overall vibe a welcoming aura, but less mean doesn't always mean less heavy, and it certainly doesn't signal a drop in quality. The fact is, every track still works wonders beside one another regardless of the varying degrees of hairspray being applied.
This becomes evident immediately. Opener "Unchain The Night" is one of the band's most iconic songs for good reason. Despite its melodic core and falsetto-laced chorus, that rhythm section has loads of crushing bite, and the clearer coating may even let the harder drumlines that carry it pop even more. "Lightning Strikes Again" comes through in a similar manner, hearkening back to the speedier elements that Dokken is no stranger to, doubling down with furious falsetto outbursts as the song sees itself out. On a similar note, "Til The Livin' End" caps us off with almost Dimebag-esque fret-crawls not uncommon on Pantera's I Am The Night, acting like a part two to "Lightning Strike Again." Hell, even as much as one could quickly dismiss the gang-chant corniness of "It's Not Love," it fits flawlessly into the bassy slow crawl and heavy backing. Full-fledged heavy hitters like this may be lesser in number, but their influence permeates the rest of the disc, and that consistency is crucial.
That very fact is why I'll urge you to observe the more "obvious" numbers with the same lens. "In My Dreams" screams pop-metal with Def Leppard coated radio rockisms all over it, but even if you don't like the incredibly catchy hooks that make its chorus so huge, one cannot ignore the gigantic solo and the riff-resolve that contrasts a nice crunch beside the synths. Similarly, "Don't Lie To Me" is an overlooked backside of this that I think utilizes the poppy chorus just as well with vocal trade-offs, even if the energy doesn't feel quite as mighty. Of course, I can't not mention "Slippin' Away," as it's very clearly a softee through and through, but beautiful composition under more genuine emotion lets its place beside "In My Dreams" feel so organic. I get why our heavy hunters may not like this one, but I don't think it feels out of place, and I love every minute of it (maybe it's because I too am a softee). "Will The Sun Rise" might just be this tune's counterpart, acting as an acceptance of the situation and curating a hopeful feeling on a somber, early morning.
The only factor holding Under Lock And Key back from double perfection is that its fillers are just a little less memorable than I'd like. "Jaded Heart" and "The Hunter" are not bad songs by any stretch of the word; the former seems to attempt an acoustic-driven repeat of "Alone Again" but sadly misses the same fervor. The latter is a decent sing-along that I dig well enough, but I'd be lying if I said I don't wind up coming off the energy of "Unchain The Night" just looking forward to hearing "In My Dreams." Regardless, if these are the worst songs on an album, then you've struck gold.
Under Lock And Key is full of bangers that landed big in LA with a fitting, overlooked counterpart, all wrapped up into one consistent ride full of fun, both heavy and hearty. If there's one reason why Dokken has such a heavy association with the glam metal world, I owe it to this record. Synths, clear production, and catchy choruses are all over the place, but I think it compliments the heavier foundation, rather than taking away from it. If I can be crass for a moment, it's like realizing that your partners sex toys are your friend, not your competition. Get out of your head and into your body, mate!
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