Up next I thought I’d take a look at a few classic rock bands and what better way to start than with The Doors. I’m pretty sure my first time hearing them was the song People Are Strange which was in the movie The Lost Boys and then later hearing the LA Woman album. So here goes………
The Doors- I mean what can I say about this record? It’s a perfect record and revisiting this was awesome. I forgot just how great this record is. I mean it’s everything that makes The Doors great. I don’t know, it’s impossible to find anything wrong with this record it’s that good. If you’re looking for a great classic rock record then this is one I’d definitely recommend for sure. Few bands have a perfect debut album which is why I give this one a perfect 10/10
Standouts: Alabama Song (Whisky Bar), Soul Kitchen, I Looked At You
Strange Days- this one seems to have the energy that was present on the first album but yet the songs are slightly slowed down at the same time. This is another classic record and I’m pretty sure some would say that this is their best album. I mean they wouldn’t be wrong as it is a great record. For me personally, I actually would prefer the first record over this one but again, this record is a great record. The question now is is it better than the first album? I’m going to say for me it’s not but only slightly. I give this 10/10
Standouts: Love Me Two Times, My Eyes Have Seen You, Moonlight Drive
Waiting For The Sun- some would say that The Doors are a psychedelic rock band and while I wouldn’t agree, this album kind of has that feel to it. It’s also their weirdest record too. Yes it’s more on the psychedelic side but it also has that Doors album feel to it. Personally it’s not quite as strong as Strange Days but at the same time, it’s a perfect follow up to that record. I give this 9.5/10
Standouts: The Unknown Soldier, Not To Touch The Earth, Love Street
The Soft Parade- so when doing this review, I found out that it was recommended that they do a total departure from their last one. This is that record. They even have brass and string arrangements here. I guess while they were making this one, Jim Morrison was focused on poetry and didn’t write as much on this and it kind of shows. I mean this record is not a bad record by any means but it’s just not as good as their other records. I give this one 8/10
Standouts: Easy Ride, Runnin’ Blue, Touch Me
Morrison Hotel- gone are the brass and string arrangements and the band is back to doing what they do best which is making a great blues rock record. This record is definitely a return to form. I would say that this album is definitely their bluesiest and while this doesn’t have a lot of their “hits” it’s actually a really great album. No it doesn’t capture their original spark that they had with say the first or second album but what they have is a record that’s a return to form and the songs seem to be matured. I give this one 9.5/10
Standouts: Roadhouse Blues, You Make Me Real, Maggie M’Gill
L.A. Woman- now this was my introduction to this band. I remember going to away track meets and the throwing coach was a big Doors fan and he’d always be playing this album in particular in the van so this one just seemed to stick with me. I feel like this album kind of encompasses everything that makes The Doors great. It’s got that great rock vibe to it as well as a little bit of their psychedelic sound. It’s a very well rounded record and unfortunately this one would be the last record before Jim Morrison died. I will say that while this was the last record with Morrison, at least they ended on a high note. A fantastic record through and through I give this 10/10.
Standouts: L.A. Woman, The Changeling, Been Down So Long
So yes in case anyone didn’t know, the band did continue on without Jim Morrison and they made three albums. I did listen to them but honestly, they weren’t bad just not really worth ranking as I probably would’ve given them low scores and I didn’t really feel like giving a legendary band low marks. Anyway, with Morrison, you have a band where there are no bad albums. I mean seriously, this one is going to be one of the hardest album catalogues to rank. It’s really a shame that Jim Morrison had to die because I would’ve loved to hear them make a proper follow up to L.A. Woman. However, we will always have these records and that’s good enough for me.
Final Grade: A+
Album Rankings:
- The Doors
- L.A. Woman (this one and the first one can be flipped)
- Morrison Hotel
- Strange Days
- Waiting For The Sun
- The Soft Parade
Sinister Reviews 