Live - Dokken

Although they experienced their commercial peaks a decade apart, both UFO and Dokken enjoyed mainstream success (albeit fleetingly) with a similar brand of melodic rock. Hence, it makes a bit of sense for both acts to be paired together for Live, a budget-priced collection released in 2005. Comprised of latter-day recordings, Live features five tracks each from the aforementioned bands. And while it appears that UFO have aged better performance-wise than Dokken, the UFO selections here are puzzling. The only renowned track is their anthemic classic "Lights Out," while readings of such obscurities as "Pushed to the Limit" certainly do not reflect the group's best material. Dokken, on the other hand, are represented by five of their best tracks (originally penned during their mid-'80s peak) -- perhaps their hardest rocking song ever, "Tooth and Nail," and their breakthrough power ballad, "Alone Again." UFO are responsible for releasing one of hard rock's greatest (and most underrated) live sets, 1979's Strangers in the Night, but their portion on this brief sampling doesn't cut it, merely because of the poor choice of material. So in the end, Dokken wins this bout by default. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide