The Doors - The Doors (Self-Titled)

Upon the wave of 1967 came the release of one of the most celebrated psych-rock records ever, The Doors self-titled masterpiece, this record changed a lot in the ways of music and culture. The 11-track LP is a stunning mix of jauntily daunting organs, Morrisson's infamous vocals, rhythm drumbeats and tantalising guitar riffs, with this The Doors created a classic record that would go on and be hugely influential to following musicians.

Kicking off the album in sweet Californian style are tracks 'Break On Through (To The Other Side)' and 'Soul Kitchen', these two tracks have The Doors perfectly raw sound aching through. The late Jim Morrisson had this fantastic vocal style, that would sometimes see him howling the lyrics as if the microphone were the moon and he a wolf, but then he whispers many lyrics, giving an incredible intimacy with the listener. This style makes the groovy and sensual lyrics even more intense, like being stuck in a trance with Morrisson and the psychedelic group.

Each song on this extraordinary debut LP has become a classic over the years, tracks 'Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)' and 'Light My Fire' are place at the centre of the 11 tracks, with the latter being the most commercially successful track on the album and as the first single of The Doors' to gain critical recognition, and the former of the two songs being controversial on its stance on alcohol, and the lyrics "Show me the way to the next little girl", these lyrics could be seen as a positive attitude towards peadophilia, however I do believe this is the more comical side to Morrisson coming out, his lyrics are so heavily influenced by his drug-taking and his wicked side, showing his incredibly dark humour at moments in his life.

Whilst I could talk about the magnificence of each track on this classic LP, there is one song that has huge importance to both The Doors and the album. This track is 'The End', a fantastic 12 minute long journey, it's almost an adventure into Jim Morrisson's psyche to a backdrop of fantastic rhythm and splitting organs. Beginning with a dark build up where it seems this is Morrisson revealing himself to the listener, exposing all emotion through his lyrics. The song builds and builds for a while, with the instruments giving a daunting sound and a looming breakdown, linked tightly with the lyrics sung in Morrisson's trademark style, the journey comes to a snap with the lyrics, "Father? 'Yes Son', I want to kill you, Mother, I want to...", this then sets a haunting mood for the next 4 minutes. Where it seems like a rambling mixture of Morrisson making strange noises as if he is having an attack whilst the music gains momentum until a crashing halt that almost signifies the LP's sound.

10/10
Download -
'Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)'
'Back Door Man'
'The End'

Thomas R Johnson