Smoke & Mirrors

Excellent Rock and Roll
I'm sorry I don't have time for a long disertation. I bought Smoke and Mirrors along with Wingers Karma and both are excellent. I can't really say which is better but I'm impressed and proud of these 80's rockers for still putting out great music. Thanks Lynch!!!!!Next: Scorpions new album..I can't wait!!!!!

No need to read any other! Awesome!
For lifelong Lynch fans like myself, this is a welcome return. I call him Thor of the guitar world. He is an under appreciated genius to the instrument. Oni Logan is wonderful on this album, and Thor is at the top of his game. This album plays no games. It is straight forward Lynch Mob, and there is no mistake about it. There is no need for a song breakdown. If you are a Lynch fan, Dokken or not, this is a must buy. Time Keepers is some of their best work. Who cares if a song sounds like a past one(My kind of Healer), if it's good, whats the difference. We really can't question Lynch's brilliance regardless. He is one of the greatest guitarist's in the last 25 years(Satriani, Cantrell, Lynch, Vai, Skolnik, etc....), and to me goes down as one of the best ever. It's a solid rock album, and a solid Lynch album. I hope for another with Oni in the future.

Smokin' album
Having never heard anything of George Lynch since his departure from Dokken in the late 80's other than when he came back for the brief Dokken reunion in the 90's, I didn't know what to expect with this one. I was a big fan of Dokken in the 80's, but after their first three albums I don't think they ever reached the same level again. I always put it down to Don Dokkens deteriorating voice and an the impact of grunge music on metal, but obviously I missed the greater point - George Lynch. Don't be fooled into thinking Dokken comparisons though because this album is a different kettle of fish altogether. Rather than big catchy hooks, mesmerizing guitar solos and high range singing, "Smoke And Mirrors" is more an album of rocking tunes that are big on riffs, groove and bluesy swagger. The album packs the best 1-2 punch of the year in my opinion with the great opening rocker "21st Century Man" followed by the ultra-cool bluesy title track "Smoke And Mirrors". These songs are both so good that I can't decide which one I like best. I'm not convinced that as far as album sequencing goes "Lucky Man" should come next. A slower paced rocker with weaker lyrics, I think it's probably one of the weakest songs on the album, yet it has grown on me with more listening. Luckily the following rocker "My Kind Of Healer" has more balls and is a welcome return to that bluesy swagger, but I can't help thinking it would have been a better choice for track 3 to give the album that triple punch opening that could have blown people away. "Time Keepers" is more metal with intensity mixed with a great groove which results in a cool vibe. "Revolution Heroes" brings back the swagger again, and while it isn't as good as the bluesy songs previously mentioned, it's still a good song. "Let The Music Be Your Master" is another of my favotites. One of the longer songs on the album it also is a great mix of a more metal sound with a great groove which really jams for a while in the middle of the song. Then when you add the great rocker "The Phacist" (probably the one which sounds closest to old school Dokken), the very catchy and cool mid paced rocker "Where Do You Sleep At Night" and the great album closer "Before I Close My Eyes" you can't help but realize that you have a damn fine album on your hands, despite a couple of average songs in "Madly Backwards" and "We Will Remain" (of which the former is the better). "Mansions In The Sky" is a bonus track and whilst nothing special it isn't too bad. A great collection of well written and performed songs here but it's the overall sound that really does it for me. The band sound like they really gel, and it sounds raw and a little bit loose while sounding clear and polished at the same time which few bands manage to achieve successfully. Packed full of groove, riffs, solos and bluesy swagger, it's right up my alley and a real smokin' album.

Glad to see the nice reviews
A few weeks back I read some reviews that compelled me to put my own in. One said this was 'uninspired' and another said it was 'nothing new.' My own opinion is that is CD is removed from Dokken. Dokken fans probably won't like it much. But the lyrics are very good. They are very relevant and on the money. This is an older and wiser Lynch Mob. This Lynch Mob has gone into the 'Thinking Man's Metal.' I'm glad to see them go that way. They hit some excellent grooves and the guitar playing is second to none for a Rock record. Those who accuse George of trying to re-invent himself. No. The only thing I can say is that his playing has gotten much more intense and perhaps a little too much so for the pansies out there. Souls of We, same thing a wiser album with a lot of intensity. The singer knows how to take a few pokes at himself too and not just the court jesters. Keep up the excellent work George. Let The Truth Be Known!

its ok
i love george and been into him a long time but this is just ok to me. his playing as usual is perfect but i dont like the songwritting. souls of we i like better. trying to recreate the first one you should'nt do just write, but oni back is nice. If you're stuck in the past and can't move on too bad. love the music not the songwritting,and by the way smoke this aint that bad relaxing in the land of AZ,still love george though.