I Love This More Than Two Times (The Best Of The Doors - The Doors)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	The Best Of The Doors - The Doors
Date:	04/06/01 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some great songs, Morrisons poetry

Disadvantages: Some songs are an acquired taste

The Doors are a group whose names is firmly in the history books, more so for the lead singer Jim Morrisons outlandish antics rather than the music, however the music of The Doors lives on. The group have a global appeal which only seems to strengthen with the years that pass.

It is easy to forget just how different and sometimes strange the sound of The Doors was, but then Morrison was a poet before he was a rock star, and he wanted to perform poetry set to music.

The Doors evolved from a meeting in Venice Beach betweeen Morrison and Ray Manzarek, and they rode the rollercoaster known as rock and roll, upsetting and affecting many people on their way. Morrison was the creative mind behind the band, and is most of the reason why they are firmly imprinted in the memory of so many people. Morrison was a poet with a rebellious nature who has become a cult figure.

This CD is a collection of their greatest hits, and is a must for anyone's CD collection. All of the songs tell a story, and some give a glimpse into the mind of a complex man.

The opening track is "Riders On The Storm", and this is possibly my favourite track purely for Morrisons voice and attitide. On this track is sensual, he sounds exactly like he was, moody and very very attractive, however for most people it is not the track that remains in their memory. "Light My Fire" remains the definitive Doors track, the one that they are most associated with. The organ introduction to this showed that Manzarek was more influenced by folk and classical than rock music. It had everything a classic song needs, attention grabbing intro, catchy chorus and great instrumental breaks.

"Love Me Two Times", "Roadhouse Blues" and "Strange Days" all follow each other on the CD, and are great examples of how the sound of the group differed from song to song.

"Break On Through (to the other side) sees Morrison at his
frustrated best. The song has a Latin feel, and again a catchy chorus. The energy from Morrison on this track is evident for all to hear.

"Five To One" was a surprise inclusion on the CD as it is one of the lesser known tracks, as is "Moonlight Drive", although it is good that these have been included as I think that they can match most of the tracks on here.

"Alabama Song" is one that I never feel a connection with, and as much as I try it will never be liked by me, and although "Love Her Madly" is my husband's favourite, I think that Morrison fails to get the sentiment across, as the drugs took over, which was the case so many times.

"People Are Strange" is an anthem. I love the lyrics to this, and it only serves to remind what the group could have done had Morrisons life not come to an untimely end. "Touch Me" was Morrison taking rebellion all the way. This was released at a time when censorship was prominent, and a lot of people in power were uncomfortable, as he was upfront with his lyrics and performances.

"Backdoor Man" is a song which can have many interpretations I am sure, but to me this is a song which is purely words set to music with no meaning, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. "The Unknown Soldier" is the same. It is a poem, not lyrics, but the group added music to make a song...as you do!

"L A Woman" is a dreamy song about ladies of the night, and is a great example of what The Doors could do when they put their all into a song, however it is eclipsed by the next song. "Hello I Love You". Morrison sings about an unattainable woman, and there was much speculation as to who "the queen of angels" was. Pamela Morrison or one of the many other woman touched (literally and otherwise" by Morrison.

The final track, aptly titled "The End", is a seemingly neverending 11 m
inute track, recorded when drugs were the only consistent thing in Morrisons life. His poetry became no more than basic rhymes, and the saving grace is the great musical arrangement lead by Manzarek.

It is a mixed collection of tracks, but this is what you expect from The Doors.

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