Album Review: "Heavy Hitters" by George Lynch & Jeff Pilson (8/10)

Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records

Producers: George Lynch and Jeff Pilson

Guitarist George Lynch and bassist-multi-instrumentalist-vocalist Jeff Pilson are best known for being one half of ‘80s heavy metal hit makers Dokken. And, while that legacy is rock solid, it does not necessarily define all they do. The duo partner with vocalists Wil Martin, Marq Torien and drummer Brian Tichy to create a covers album that defies convention. With roots in ’70s pop, ’80s/’90s funk and post-’00 rock they add tasty metallic flavoring to gems by Carole King, Prince, Madonna, Oasis, R.E.M. and Chaka Khan. Diehards may scoff, but, unfortunately, they’d miss the point!