This is The Doors' second and probably their most forgotten about album. The entire album carries a mood of alienation that is expressed on songs such as "Strange Days" and "People are Strange". This album may not have had as much commercial success as their debut album but I feel that it is just as well written and captivating as it. When you listen to the album it gives you a kind the kind of eerie feeling that the band must have been feeling at the time.
The Album shows the darker side of the band that no one heard on the radio from their debut. Released in 1967, the album does have some songs that became commercially successful such as "Love Me Two Times" and "People are Strange" but overall the album is not as "radio friendly as their previous album which many people tend to compare it to. Anyways lets get on with the Review.
1. Strange Days - The Organ intro sets the tone for the song and the album. The guitar line in this song is very strong and stands out the most to me in this song. Morrison's vocals are powerful and the lyrics are strong. This is one of my favorite songs on the album.
Rating: 4.5/5
2. You're Lost Little Girl - The song starts out with a great bass line and develops as the organ accompanies the bass. The guitar solo is very light and has effects on it that gives an almost ambient feel. Morrison's vocals are very droaning sounding in this song.
Rating: 4/5
3. Love Me Two Times - The famous guitar riff opens the song accompanied by the bass which gives the song a happier tone than most of the other songs on this album. I'm sure that everyone who is reading this review has heard the song about a hundred times. The organ playing stands out the most on this song to me.
Rating: 4.5/5
4. Unhappy Girl - The organ intro gives an eerie tone which stays throughout the entire song. The guitar lead is very high pitched and played with a slide which is not usually how his guitar riffs sound but is a nice change, Krieger plays with a slide through most of this album. This is a short song that the album seems to be filled with. This is probably my least favorite song on the album.
Rating: 3/5
5. Horse Latitudes - The song starts out with an ocean wind sound. Morrison recites poetry over some noise that is played by the band and other various objects. This is a very psychedelic tune that is not the best on the album but not really a bad tune. (It kind of reminds me of a Captain Beefheart song)
Rating: 3.5/5
6. Moonlight Drive - The song starts with an upbeat sort of Jazz tempo with the keyboard, and the slide guitar gives the song its psychedelic feel. One of the more upbeat songs on the album that finds Morrison's vocals uplifting and bluesy sounding as opposed to the dark vocals that seem to fill this album.
Rating: 4/5
7. People Are Strange - A tale of alienation, I'm sure everyone has recited the lyrics before, "People are Strange when you're a stranger/people look ugly when you're alone". The Guitar solo is probably my favorite on the entire album just becuase it is short and sweet. One of the more popular songs on the album.
Rating: 4.25/5
8. My Eyes Have Seen You - The bass line is really good in this song. The songs builds up until the Guitar solo and then comes back down again. The song has a blues striucture to it. Morrison sings low and gets more powerful until the end of the song where he is screaming the lyrics.
Rating: 3.5/5
9. I Can't See Your Face In My Mind - The song starts very odd and strange sounding but then develops to a very good rhythm. The Percussion stands out the most in this song which is unusual for the band. The song has a very low and mellow tempo which is very enjoyable.
Rating: 4/5
10. When The Music's Over - The final song on the album which starts out very upbeat on the keyboard and follows with Morrison leading the band into chaos as Krieger pounds out his guitar licks. This is one of those epic songs similar to "The End" but not as drawn out feeling or depressing. The Guitar solo in this song is very psychedelic and powerful. This song basically defines Psychedelia, When Morrison says he wants to hear a butterfly scream the guitar makes a noise which is high pitched and droaning (I guess thats how a butterfly screams). Close to the end of the song the band goes into an explosion and the keyboard solos away. I like Morrison's Quote at the end of the song ,"Music is your only friend until the end". My favorite song on the album.
Rating: 5/5
This is not the Doors' best album but it indeed is not a bad album at all. I hope that some of you will pick this album up and check it out if you haven't already. This is the album that shows the darkest side of the Doors.
