You can feel that heat off the Sunset Strip and see that hair in the wind as Dokken bring their timeless convertible Ferrari rock ‘n’ roll power to the table with Heaven Comes Down, an unapologetic celebration of everything Dokken do best. You want to rock? Sink your teeth into “Fugitive”, which rides some shimmering guitar work courtesy of Jon Levin, Don Dokken imploring that “I’m a fugitive from life”, and if you want ballads, head on over to “I’ll Never Give Up”, hanging on that Coliseum chorus, Levin laying down a landmark solo. The pattern of Heaven Comes Down never falters in delivering the goods on both sides of the fence. “Just Like A Rose” brings the Pacific Coast Highway into vision with its smooth, effortlessly-driven gears, and “Saving Grace” carries a mystical malevolence. But it is closer “Santa Fe” which is perhaps the most revealing, spare yet glorious moment, Don Dokken opening up with what amounts to a ‘life-moment biography’, a spartan acoustic arrangement allowing the rich yet road-driven vocals to frame what might well prove to be the defining moment of Dokken’s career. Mixed by Kevin Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, Joe Bonamassa) and produced by Bill Palmer and Don Dokken, fans will love it, neutrals will be wonderfully surprised by some of the ingredients within Heaven Comes Down. Tracks: Fugitive Gypsy Is It Me Or You? Just Like A Rose I’ll Never Give Up Saving Grace Over The Mountain I Remember Lost In You Santa Fe
