by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Dokken's 1995 album was more of a marketing move than an inspired musical collaboration. All of the members from the group's highwater mark in the '80s returned for Dysfunctional, but they sound as if they haven't resolved their differences yet. None of the songs are fully-formed or feature memorable hooks. Don Dokken's voice has worn away over the years, and he can no longer sell mediocre material on the basis of his charisma. George Lynch plays fine, but his solos sound as if they were pasted on after the original track was recorded. While it's good to have the guitarist back in action, he deserved a better platform than the songs on Dysfunctional.