The Doors - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
On their 1967 debut album, the Doors more than fulfilled the promise of their infamously challenging gigs around Los Angeles throughout the previous year. Whether belting out a standard like "Back Door Man" or talk-singing such originals as "The Crystal Ship" and "I Looked at You," leather-clad vocalist Jim Morrison exuded both sensuality and menace. The mixture, on the outsize album finale, "The End," helped rewrite the rules on rock song composition. None of this would have worked, though, were it not for the highly visual instrumental work of keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robbie Krieger, and drummer John Densmore, whose work on tracks such as "Take It As It Comes" and the lengthy hit "Light My Fire" virtually defined the rock-blues-jazz-classical amalgam that was acid-rock. --Billy Altman

Album Description
THE DOORS, first released in January 1967, is one of rock music's most famous debuts. It hit #2 in Billboard, and delivered the #1 signature smash "Light My Fire" plus "Break On Through," "The Crystal Ship," and "The End." In-depth essay by Ben Fong-Torres (a principal Rolling Stone writer during the Doors heyday). Three bonus tracks include alternate takes of "Moonlight Drive" and a previously unissued version of "Indian Summer."

Customer Reviews: Read 28 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

New Isn't Always Better October 20, 2007
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

Now this is a frustrating release. Up to now, all releases of this album has been a bit too slow and this CD thankfully corrects that. The band sounds more youthful and charged while plowing through their seminal debut.

But there's a catch; this is not the original mix either. The surviving Doors and engineer/producer Bruce Botnick have taken it upon themselves to completely remix the album. It's more like a modern mix now, and the sound is clearer and punchier. Unfortunately, this also does away with the creepy, compressed atmosphere that was a trademark of the original mixes. The balance has swung away from the psychedelic into more typical classic rock territory.

As is common with more modern mixes, the drums are also more front and center. It's fun to hear John Densmore's creative and musical drumming clearly, but it obscures the rest of the band more than I'd like.

After hearing this, I have trouble listening to the original mix's slightly flat sound, but I miss the original's atmosphere with the new mix. I guess the best thing to do is never listen to this, and grab a copy of the still fine 1999 remaster (which also includes the infamous lost vocals on "Break On Through" and "The End"). If you're new to the Doors, this new disc may serve it's purpose, I feel it's missing the aural mystery and majesty of the original.

5 out of 5 stars

The ups and downs of this remixed album June 30, 2007
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

This remixed debut album is supposedly the correct speed after decades of being mastered at a slower speed. Apparently, only the 45 RPM single of Light My Fire was the only record off this album cut at the correct speed, but every subsequent release has actually been a little too slow. Inside the 1st album remixed CD there is be an explanation by Bruce Botnick stating why this is so. That really piqued my curiosity.

I have also previously owned most of the Gold CDs, 1988 releases, and 1999 remasters. I have listened to the 1999 remasters and compared them to the 1988 remasters. The 1988 releases were tinny and flat sounding, while the 1999 version of this album was rich and full. I have also compared both of them with this 2007 remix. Clearly, this remix is the way to go. I CANNOT SAY THE SAME FOR THE DOORS REMIX ALBUMS AFTER STRANGE DAYS. After that, they sound waaaaay different which is not what I am pursuing. Some of you probably want a different sound and that's fine. The bottom line: the 2007 remix of the 1st album is "brighter" and "crispier" than the 1999 remasters and the 1988 CD release. I believe the 1999 release might sound a bit "fuller" than this 2007 remix, but I will definitely listen to this version from now on hopefully. Jim's voice is a tad more distant on some of the songs on the "2007" remix. It's plain as day to hear that. I think the instruments are turned up a bit higher and his voice level remains the same as before. The stereo separation is about the same as the 1999 and 1988 CD release, but the cymbals really come crashing through a lot louder and are more crisp and the drum are punchy. Any way you slice it, the remix gives your tweeters more work to do, but the organ and cymbals do tend to drown Jim out somewhat (but not too bad). This remix, in my opinion stays very close to the way everyone remembers The Doors' first album, only accentuating and embellishing it a bit. I was always disappointed at the tinny and flat sounding 1988 CDs, the 1985 Greatest Hits CD and the DCC 24 Karat Gold CDs as well even though they were a slight improvement.

By the way, just like the 1999 release added some lyrics, those lyrics appear here as well. On Break on Through, Jim says "She gets high" and on The End a particular expletive appears at the end of the song just as it appears in Apocalypse Now.

This speed issue with "Light My Fire" is an even bigger difference than The Police's 1978 original album "Outlandos d' Amour" that features "Roxanne" which suffered from being mastered at too slow a speed since its first CD release in the late 80's, and it was interesting to hear it on the 2003 remaster at the correct speed. I played "Light My Fire" to a friend and he picked out the difference immediately.

The speed discrepancy was brought to Bruce Botnick's attention by a Brigham Young University professor who stated that all the video and audio live performances of The Doors performing Light My Fire, as well as the sheet music show the song being in a key almost a full half step higher than the LP release. That should make sense because when I have seen the Doors perform live on their concert videos they plays the song faster. Also, the verse chords should alternate between A minor and F sharp minor in the song- but instead on the LP and CD versions they are an A Flat minor and an F minor. This explains why on CD releases "Light My Fire" claims to run 6:50, but in all reality runs around 7:05. Finally, this remixed CD runs at the proper speed. Light my Fire is 6:50 here.

Moonlight Drive Version 1 and 2 are nice to have, along with an alternate Indian Summer, but my main purpose in buying this was to compare/contrast the differences in speed and sound quality and have "Light My Fire" at the correct speed.

5 out of 5 stars

The Doors' Debut March 28, 2007
22 out of 34 found this review helpful

I can only imagine what many people thought the first time they heard this album, if they were only familiar with "Light My Fire," back in early 1967. Sure, the Beatles were experimental, but their experimentation was with studio tricks, not the songs themselves. The Doors were the first real rock band to mix two celebrated art forms together, poetry and rock and roll. This debut album is still today, one of the most brilliant, if startling, debuts in music history.

1. Break On Through (To the Other Side)-5/5. The Doors' first single was a total flop, but the song itself is absolutely brilliant. It clearly defined who they were and what it would be like to listen to their music. The vocals, music and lyrics are all superb. Great organ by Manzarek.
2. Soul Kitchen-5/5. Excellent soul/blues tribute to something very dear to me (being from Mississippi), southern soul food. The lyrics are about Morrison wanting to spend all of his time at his favorite southern cooking restaurant. Morrison was also a southerner and you can tell in his passion for the lyrics and music. Excellent performances by all.
3. The Crystal Ship-5/5. Another classic. This one appears on every Doors hits collection, although it wasn't released as a single. The music is slow and mystical. The lyrics are excellent and Manzarek's piano is remarkable.
4. Twentieth Century Fox-4/5. This one is atypical of the Doors. The lyrics are simply about a woman who knows she is in control of her man. The lyrics aren't great and Morrison sings it as if he only half believes it, but the music is great.
5. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)-5/5. This is a cover song, but I don't know who did it first. It sounds very Eastern European, like several drunk Germans searching for another watering hole after being kicked out of several already. It is kind of silly, but a lot of fun and fits in with the album well.
6. Light My Fire-5/5. Not much to say about this song that hasn't been said a million times. It remains their biggest hit single and the song that casual listeners always know. The music, particularly Manzarek's organ, is absolutely brilliant. The lyrics are a perfect mix of melody and poetry. Simply a classic!
7. Back Door Man-5/5. This is a Willie Dixon cover song. Rockers in the late 60's, and even more so in the early 70's, loved to cover Willie Dixon. His blues are very conducive to hard rock music. The lyrics are typical southern blues, but Morrison sings them like they are his own. Played perfectly with the Doors' own spin on it.
8. I Looked At You-3/5. This is one of the weaker songs on here. It isn't anything special. The music are typical for this time period and the lyrics are simply average. The main thing that keeps this above water is Morrison's vocals.
9. End of the Night-5/5. I love this song very much. It is slow and creepy and sounds exactly like a perfect Doors' song should. Very Indian sounding with some excellent guitar from Krieger. The lyrics are also phenomenal. Great song.
10. Take It As It Comes-3/5. This one is similar to "I Looked At You." Nothing special. Sounds more like Jim Morrison singing with the Animals than the Doors. The lyrics are okay and he sings well, but it is too typical of 60's rock.
11. The End-5/5. Much has been written about the philosophy behind this song. Lyrically, there are several themes in it. The track is over 11 minutes long and explores the darkest depths of the human soul. The vocals are absolutley perfect. The music is very slow with Densmore's tribal drumbeats being the standout. It is simply the best he has ever been. Perfect song.

Bonus tracks:

12. Moonlight Drive (Version 1)-4/5. Slightly different version than the one that appeared a few years later. It is pretty good, but a little flat.
13. Moonlight Drive (Version 2)-3/5. This version sounds kind of hollow. It is definetly missing the meat on its bones.
14. Indian Summer 5/5. Early recording of a song that later appeared on "Morisson Hotel." No significant difference. It is an absolutely beautiful song.

All in all, an absolute classic. This CD has been remixed and remastered, so the sound quality is superb, The liner notes explain that the speed of this album has always been slower than intended, but not by much. This remaster has fixed that. On first listen, I didn't notice. But the second time around, I did notice it. I believe that this is an all around improvement. Highly recommended for every person who is a fan of great classic rock.

5 out of 5 stars

Superb Remastering Of A Milestone! April 10, 2007
15 out of 15 found this review helpful

Taken from last year's "Perception" box set,the groundbreaking debut album from Jim Morrison and company is yet again remastered/remixed,but this time its done at the correct speed-the previous LP/CD versions ran at a slower pace,thus its pitch was different than it was intended until now.In addition,the mix is clearer,punchier and more directness(especially the vocals and guitars) than even the fine 1999 remaster had.Plus there's a colorful,informative booklet featuring lyrics,rare photos,notes from Doors engineer Bruce Botnick and an essay from famed rock writer Ben Fong-Torres.Since there is no dispute of the quality of the music contained here(honor roll:"Break On Through","Light My Fire","Soul Kitchen","Crystal Ship"and the 11-minute epic "The End"),this is simply a piece of music history no rock fan should be without.And this is the end of my review.

5 out of 5 stars

Classic Debut, Impressive Remastering. April 4, 2007
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Purists will no doubt scoff at the idea of remixing the classic debut album by The Doors, as many did when "Elvis: 30 #1 Hits" was released, but one comes away from this new remastering convinced that this should indeed be the definitive version available. According to engineer Bruce Botnick in the liner notes, this new edition of "The Doors" has been remixed from the original tapes and it shows. Songs like "Break On Through" and the immortal "Light My Fire" breathe with a new life and crisp, powerful sound. Previous releases are left in the dust as even background vocals are rediscovered and Robby Krieger's guitar comes alive as well as Ray Manzarek's driving organ. Jim Morrison's vocal power comes through and John Densmore's expressionistic, detailed drumming comes across as a revelation. Their cover of Willie Dixon's "Backdoor Man" snarls and grinds louder and better. Previous attempts at remixing classic albums have resulted with some accepting the result and others finding it unbearable as was the case when Iggy Pop remixed "Raw Power," but according to Botnick there were more pressing reasons for giving The Doors' albums an overhaul, apparently the previous releases were not running at the correct, intended speed. Though some may not notice at first, the speed has been put back into it's correct place. But the real joy of the new remastered "The Doors" is how every instrument and sound comes across loud and clear here, there is scarcely a trace of this being a 40-year old recording. Drum and guitar parts that were plowed under before come alive now. And of course, it's worth listening to for the fact that's simply great rock n' roll. Jim Morrison remains the star with his Dionysian character and his brilliant use of words and poetry. Songs like "Break On Through" retain a ferocious energy while "End Of The Night" and "The Crystal Ship" are beautiful pools of sound and images, made more effective by this remix where Ray Manzarek's elegant piano/organ parts shine. Fans will be interested in the bonus tracks featured here including two different versions of "Moonlight Drive" that reveal how apart the original arrangements were compared to the famous version from the "Strange Days" album. There is an alternate "Indian Summer" which apparently has a new vocal but there's little difference to the original version in the "Waiting For The Sun" release. The Doors remain one of the most influential of all rock bands, with their imprint found in genres such as Punk, Goth and Electronica, and the artists who have been influenced are countless including Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Stone Temple Pilots, U2, The Cure, The Cult, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Billy Idol, INXS, Echo And The Bunnymen, Aerosmith, Soundgarden and many, many more. 2007 marks the fourtieth anniversary of the Doors' debut, and this is a fitting release to introduce a new generation to the immortal sound of the band and the poetic, sometimes apocalyptic visions Jim Morrison produced, especially in the epic "The End" which remains a timeless, hypnotic work of art. "The Doors" is pure rock n' roll, one of the ages.

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