The Doors - The Doors

The Doors - The Doors (1967)

Genre: Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock

Often hailed as one of the greatest albums of all time, it's a wonder why I never properly heard it all the way through until recently... This album is being reviewed per request. As a reminder, I do not intend for this to be a really in-depth and complex review. I'm just sharing my quick personal thoughts on the album. As for any album review I do, I try to be objective without letting any personal bias get too much in the way of the final grade. 

One thing I always found unique about this group is their decision to mix in some prominent organ playing in nearly their music. It's honestly one of the reasons that I couldn't get into them for years. When I was younger, I just found the organ playing to be irritating at times, especially on Light My Fire, which incorporates a hefty jam session in between that seems to drag for a bit too long. As I've grown, I've come to enjoy that track and the organ playing more though, and now I view it as an integral part of the band's style.

I especially love Manzarek's organ performance on the track Soul Kitchen, which starts off front and center, and later subverts itself to subtly driving the song along on an infectious groove. Twentieth Century Fox and The End are other highlights for me. The former is simply fun and catchy, with its prominent blues influence. The latter is a near 12-minute Magnus Opus, which may not be big on extravagant music ideas, but is a grower, progressively showcasing the beauty in its general simplicity.

I can't deny that front man Jim Morrison comes off as slightly snobbish and self-conceited, not only in his lyrics, but also in his vocal performances. On the other hand, he's got some pipes. Often cited as one of the greatest front men in rock history, it's simple to discredit this as simple popularity among women, but I can agree that he's a damn good vocalist that fits well within this group. As future albums would prove, he was certainly the man for the job.

Is the praise that this record receives warranted? While I do believe it's certainly an accomplished piece of work, some of the weaker songs on here drag down the momentum just a bit, personally. The Crystal Ship and the cover Alabama Song (Whisky Bar) are by no means unpleasant, but still quite short on energy and fun as other popular standouts like Break On Through (To the Other Side) and Light my Fire. Overall, an excellent album within the realms for late 60's acid rock, if only slightly overrated by the masses.

A-

Favorite Songs: Soul Kitchen, Twentieth Century Fox, Light My Fire, Take It As It Comes, The End

Least Favorite Track: Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)