A Strange Day With The Doors

This Album That Left a Mark on Me

The Doors - Strange Days - All Rights Reserved

If there’s ever a time for me to tell you about an album that holds a special place in my heart, this is it. The moment couldn’t be more fitting to talk about a band that made waves and left an indelible mark on rock history.

That legendary band is The Doors, a fascinating group led brilliantly by Jim Morrison—charismatic frontman, sex symbol, and quickly turned idol thanks to his mysticism-tinged lyrics.

Provocative attitude and all kinds of excesses also defined the band's career and reputation, leading their leader to the tragic 27 Club.

But don’t be mistaken: The Doors are also known for their unique sound, with each member contributing a distinct element. And if I were to tell you how this legendary band totally blew me away when I discovered them through Oliver Stone’s eponymous movie…

The Doors – Strange Days

Around 2010, when I was in my early twenties, I had already built up a solid musical foundation in blues, rock, and metal. Even though The Doors were and still are an iconic band, I must admit I only knew a few songs like Light My Fire or Break on Through, from their previous album.

One night, while channel surfing, I stumbled upon Oliver Stone's famous biopic. Although the film has its controversial aspects, it immediately hooked me, especially with its soundtrack, which captivated me and urged me to dive deeper into the band and its legend. One of the songs that resonated with me the most was People Are Strange, which led me to explore the album.

The second studio album by the band, Strange Days is a worthy successor to their debut, equally excellent, which perfectly defined what the band would be: timeless, innovative, with both musical and lyrical depth.

The first track, Strange Days, instantly plunges us into the album's atmosphere, akin to a dream—or more accurately, a trip—reflecting the prevalent use of psychedelic drugs during the era, a practice some members of the band engaged in.

As I mentioned earlier, The Doors are above all defined by its exceptional frontman, who always claimed to be more of a poet than a singer. This distinctive feature is evident in several tracks, particularly the intense Horse Latitudes, where Jim Morrison delivers an almost traumatic performance, finishing his recitation breathlessly.

However, while Jim is the central figure, the band wouldn’t be the same without the characteristic sound that each member brings. Starting with Robbie Krieger, whose guitar work is instantly recognizable on tracks like Love Me Two Times and People Are Strange, featuring sharp riffs played exclusively with his fingers.

Adding to this is John Densmore’s drumming, influenced by jazz and Latin rhythms, as demonstrated on tracks like My Eyes Have Seen You or I Can’t See Your Face in My Mind.

But it would be impossible to talk about The Doors without mentioning Ray Manzarek’s fiery keyboard playing, with organ-like sounds (thanks to his Rhodes keyboard), which elevates every album.

While I recommend giving Moonlight Drive a shot for its smooth harpsichord-like tone, the best demonstration of Manzarek’s talent, in my opinion, is on When the Music's Over. Its iconic intro showcases the musicians' full passion on the album’s closing track.

Conclusion

The Doors, despite their relatively short-lived existence—the band formed in 1966 and came to a premature end in 1971 with Morrison’s death—had an intense and impactful career.

Every album is unique, but for me, Strange Days is one of their best, marking their peak after their debut album exploded onto the charts.

Experimentation, whether musical or drug-induced, is at the heart of this album, producing a magical result that fits perfectly with the climate of the 60s. Themes like mysticism, self-discovery, questioning the world, and the anxiety provoked by the Cold War are all explored here.

But despite their fame and association with the “hippie” vibe, The Doors always operated against the grain, almost becoming the bad boys of the scene, with their appearance at Woodstock famously boycotted, preventing their participation.

For all these reasons, Strange Days is, for me, an essential, timeless album that should be discovered and rediscovered without moderation, brought to life by these four talented musicians.

Wait, four musicians? That’s right, for the anecdote: the bass lines on the album were recorded by independent studio musicians, as Ray Manzarek handled the bass parts on his keyboard.

And you, what’s your favorite Doors album? I’m curious to know what you thought of this article!

Thanks for reading!