Written by: Matt Sloan
On Record Store Day (April 18, 2015), The Doors will release a limited-edition (12,500 copy) vinyl run of their 1967 album Strange Days on mono.
This news comes on the back of The Doors’ 1967 self-titled debut album’s selection for inclusion in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
The Doors and Strange Days are, of course, two of The Doors’ finest albums – and it’s great that they’re receiving so much recognition in 2015.
But are they really The Doors’ best albums?
SEM would like to find out from you – our readers.
In the comments section below, please list your favorite Doors album and why you think it’s the band’s best.
We’ll announce the winning album in one week (on Wednesday, April 8, 2015) and – what’s even better – schedule an interview with the Doors’ fan who makes the best argument. We’ll publish this interview in SEM.
In the spirit of open-mindedness and creativity, please keep your comments positive.
This is a tough one. For me, it actually has always come down to The Doors and Strange Days. But I have to go with The Doors. I like the garage-rock feel of the record. And the band’s ability to create complex musical structures and sound “psychedelic,” without the studio trickery of The Beatles and The Beach Boys. “Break on Through” and “The End” are perfect bookends to a perfect album.
Tough one but I really love Morrison hotel… So that’s my pick. Next would be strange days probably.
Although my two favorite Doors’ songs, “The Crystal Ship” and “The End,” are on The Doors, overall I like the live feel and the blues of L.A. Woman the best. In fact, I think the title track is the best city-at-night driving song ever recorded. Listening to it, I can’t help but imagine myself pushing speed limits and tempting cops, windows down on a warm summer night, careening through a downtown interchange, my mojo risin’. Not to mention “Riders on the Storm,” “Crawling King Snake,” and “get[ting] loose” with “The Changeling.” And even though “Love Her Madly” is not my favorite Doors’ song, it is a very strong single.
Have to go with L.A. Woman as well. I think it’s culmination of all the best aspects of their musicality: rhythm and blues, rock and roll, ominous lyricism, whiskey guzzling shout singing, Ray’s organ! Agree with KD on night driving to title track as well. Mr Mojo Rison, got to keep on riding! If Back Door Man and Roadhouse Blues were on this album, it would be the ultimate blues-rock album.
So who won? I was really anticipating reading an interview with the winner. Not.
Mike Madden won. He’s going to tell us about L.A. Woman.