Out of the Cellar is the best album by either band, front to back great, but Ratt were very lazy and their discography is diminishing returns 101. I still like albums 2 and 3, but by Detonation even Desmond Child couldn't save them.

Dokken's archly melodic approach is a bit too slick to be palatable (it is often cheesy), but there are many strong songs on their first 4 records and Tooth and Nail finds 'em particularly hungry, so it's about as raw as they could manage. The Beast from the East live album showcases a slightly rougher take on their better material, and as such is recommended. Lynch is an incredible guitarist, up there with Eddy and Jake E Lee for this sorta thing.

I say Dokken just takes it for having more good to great material.

M.H wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:29 pm Out of the Cellar is the best album by either band, front to back great, but Ratt were very lazy and their discography is diminishing returns 101. I still like albums 2 and 3, but by Detonation even Desmond Child couldn't save them.

Dokken's archly melodic approach is a bit too slick to be palatable (it is often cheesy), but there are many strong songs on their first 4 records and Tooth and Nail finds 'em particularly hungry, so it's about as raw as they could manage. The Beast from the East live album showcases a slightly rougher take on their better material, and as such is recommended. Lynch is an incredible guitarist, up there with Eddy and Jake E Lee for this sorta thing.

I say Dokken just takes it for having more good to great material.

Jake E. Lee was right there with Rhoads in terms of playing ability. Sad that he fell off after Badlands (not good). The poor guy was randomly shot in Vegas recently.

Krev wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:47 pm Jake E. Lee was right there with Rhoads in terms of playing ability. Sad that he fell off after Badlands (not good).

I really dig the first Badlands album in a "it's second-tier, but it's really well done second-tier" sorta way. You get the impression that Jake just got burnt by the L.A. biz bullshit and is quite bitter now, no money from his Ozzy records (Sharon screwed him out of everything contractually) and all the Badlands records deleted because of Ray Gillen's wholesome activities... a rough hand to be dealt, but a really great, underrated player. Didn't know about the shooting; yikes.

Apparently Lynch got the Ozzy gig first and they swapped him out for Jake at the very last second; Lynch had to go back and beg for his old day job, licked his wounds, then returned to Don D with gritted teeth. So you can blame Ozzy for the existence of Dokken.

Were there a fucked-over-by-Sharon-Osbourne support group, Jake and Bob Daisley would lead it. There probably should be one. Few in the music business have inflicted more damage than The Digital Bitch.

Krev wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 2:12 pm Were there a fucked-over-by-Sharon-Osbourne support group, Jake and Bob Daisley would lead it. There probably should be one. Few in the music business have inflicted more damage than The Digital Bitch.

She learned it all from her dad.

As for the poll, Ratt had way better hooks. Dokken isn't fun, which is what I want from hair metal. Ratt all the way.

This thread is "Goofed..." after "Goofed..."

It is Ratt based solely on Tawny on the cover of their records.

Half of the stuff folks actually like about those Ratt records?

Beau Hill while that band was throwing a fit the entire time.

Appliancide wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 11:49 am

penningtron wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 10:51 am I'm not an expert on this stuff (because it mostly seems like dogshit) but what's the 'connection' of these bands? That they're both kinda 2nd tier popularity wise?

LA hair metal with shredder guitarists that could occasionally write a catchy song/decent riff?

If that's the the criteria?

You buy yourself a Dweezil Zappa record, and save yourself some headaches.

M.H wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 1:29 pm Out of the Cellar is the best album by either band, front to back great, but Ratt were very lazy and their discography is diminishing returns 101. I still like albums 2 and 3, but by Detonation even Desmond Child couldn't save them.

Dokken's archly melodic approach is a bit too slick to be palatable (it is often cheesy), but there are many strong songs on their first 4 records and Tooth and Nail finds 'em particularly hungry, so it's about as raw as they could manage. The Beast from the East live album showcases a slightly rougher take on their better material, and as such is recommended. Lynch is an incredible guitarist, up there with Eddy and Jake E Lee for this sorta thing.

I say Dokken just takes it for having more good to great material.

Watch his REH instructional video, and try not to puke.

Now, if you actually want Hair Metal/Shredder/Occasional Decent Riff?

This is what you actually pop into a tape deck.