The Doors

Artist: The Doors
Album: The Doors
Release Year: 1967

Genres: psychedelic rock, Gothic rock, blues-rock

1) Break on Through (to the Other Side); 2) Soul Kitchen; 3) The Crystal Ship; 4) Twentieth Century Fox; 5) Alabama Song; 6) Light My Fire; 7) Back Door Man; 8) I Looked at You; 9) End of the Night; 10) Take It as It Comes; 11) The End.

Best Song: Light My Fire...I think...

If you ever entertained even the slightest desire to acquaint yourself with The Doors, I'd say it would be well worth your time. That is, of course, if you also have no objections to plunging headfirst into the nightmarish mind of Jim Morrison. Love him or hate him, you can't deny he was certainly unique, and I will say without hesitation that the debut album is the best place to start your journey. While the band would eventually mature into a tight blues-rock outfit, the early albums showcase the members at their most raw and daring, and as with many other bands, that's the period I like best.

But even among the other early Doors releases, this one still stands apart from the rest. Why? Because it is so consistent, so congruent throughout, that we feel it dragging us deeper and deeper into the void, and our visions are gruesome and yet quite beautiful. Everything is so...primal! That's the word I was looking for! Whether Morrison is howling his petition to stay in the "Soul Kitchen" or awaiting the approach of the "End of the Night," you see through his eyes. This album brings the listener so intimately close to the body and soul of the music, like a lover, and there's no topping that atmosphere.

Of course, there is still some irritating filler on here ("I Looked at You," for example), but it goes down easy enough, given that it's surrounded by so much great material. "Light My Fire" is probably the best, with meaningless verses but some truly mesmerizing keyboard and guitar solos (don't forget the other guys- Morrison hated that). And no review of this album is complete without special mention of "The End," the excellent eleven-minute Gothic epic. Spiritual and demonic at the same time, it meanders here and there, telling of "weird scenes inside the gold mine," a long snake heading west, and other eerie imagery, building up tension all the way. Then there is the climax, which I don't have the heart to spoil for you. Get the album, or at the very least, Youtube it. But if you're faint of heart, don't try to sleep right after.

Rating: 9