Pros: Some really classic songs, dramatic, lovely...
Cons: Some odd inclusions, weird sequencing, pacing problems...
The Bottom Line: While by no means the best Doors compilation, there are still occasional moments worth checking out on this soundtrack. Too bad they are also widely available on better albums.
lambchops's Full Review: The Doors by Original Soundtrack
When music crosses the boundaries of time and place and becomes part of culture it is considered “classic.” When it is included in movies, commercials, and played frequently on radio even after thirty or forty years it is more than just a passing fad or merely popular. It seems that when a band like this is cut down in their prime it almost guarantees such a status. The Doors are one such band that despite only making a handful of albums nearly forty years ago continues to appeal to youngsters and classic rockers alike.
Unlike many other bands, The Doors actually had a movie made about them. Actually, come to think of it the 1991 film was more about the rise and fall of Jim Morrison as a poet, writer, singer, and madman. Starring a perfectly cast Val Kilmer as Morrison, the Oliver Stone biopic followed the frontman from film school through his death in 1971 at the age of 27. Whether or not all the stories and situations are true is relatively unimportant. It is a good, interesting, and well made film that captures the world through the eyes of the troubled genius.
Of course as is the case with any musical film, there is a soundtrack to be had. It’s not particularly comprehensive, doesn’t include many of the band’s best songs, and is somewhat haphazardly arranged but as with everything from The Doors there are some incredibly moving moments scattered throughout. Don’t seek out this soundtrack as a “greatest hits” or anything of that sort. If you’re looking for a decent and affordable option turn your attention toward the 1985 2-disc Best of the Doors collection instead. However, if you collect soundtracks or want to own every last thing that ever included anything from the band then I suppose it is a painfully necessary evil.
Let me get this straight—there is nothing specifically wrong with the songs on this disc. They are good tracks. The problem is simply that they are positioned strangely. For example, The End is smack in the middle of things. At nearly twelve minutes, it usually is at the end of compilations so as to not drag down the momentum of the album. Also, I find it strange that some songs are included instead of others. However, it must be noted that these are songs that appear for a reason in the film even if they do seem to be unusual choices in the context of an album.
Despite the fact that the film is narrowly focused on Morrison, The Doors were indeed a four-man band also made up of Ray Manzarek (keyboard), John Densmore (drums), and Robby Krieger (guitar). The two things that really defined the doors were Manzarek’s keyboards and Morrison’s throaty, emotionally poetic vocal style. The soundtrack mashes together the fabulous psychedelic pop songs, the occasional rocker, and Morrison’s spoken poetry from An American Prayer (1978). Remember—Morrison was first and foremost a poet and secondly a singer/songwriter.
The highpoints of this soundtrack are scattered throughout. Riders on the Storm is a moody, trippy piece of music that is certainly among the band’s best tunes. Break on Through, L.A.Woman, and Light My Fire represent some of the most immediately recognizable of all of the band’s songs (along with the Alabama Song which is of course not included). I think what is most interesting is that Stone chose to include a cross section of tunes from the band. Love Street is a lovely, upbeat piece that is often forgotten in the wake of the band’s darker pieces. It’s so lovely and soft and very much like many songs from The Beatles. If you ever doubted The Doors position as a pop band, take a listen to this song and you may well reconsider your stance (remember—“pop” means “popular” and is by no means derogatory).
The Movie, Stoned Immaculate, Ghost Song, and Severed Garden are all culled from An American Prayer. While by no means as immediately appealing as the band’s songs they do present Morrison’s poetry in a palatable setting. They feature the writer speaking his words over the top of typical music from The Doors. Since the film itself would have been incomplete without mention of Morrison’s poeticism it only seems fitting that they were included. Of course set amongst some of the band’s best songs it is even clearer that the singer/songwriter/poet existed on a unique plane.
Also included are two songs from other performers. The classic Velvet Underground tune Heroin sits in the ninth slot. Morrison was clearly affected by his drug use (be it heroin, pot, peyote…whatever) and there are few songs that better capture this than this one. Lou Reed’s lovely vocals set aside the thumping drums, droning guitar, and crazy pacing allows listeners to peek into the world of an addict if only for a moment. The dramatic Carl Orff composition Carmina Burana performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus is also included. Best known for its inclusion in the film Excalibur it is a dark and wild piece that fits nicely into the film but not so nicely into the soundtrack.
I’m torn about The Doors soundtrack. It goes without saying that the music is truly awesome, but the exclusion of some songs, inclusion of some spoken word poetry, and strange placement of The End make it a troubling experience. The Doors soundtrack is no longer in print in the United States. It can easily be gotten used or as an import for way too much money. If you are truly interested in checking it out (the worth of which is negligible) then I suggest getting it for $2 from Half.com over $25 brand new. The Doors are certainly one of the most interesting and influential bands of their era even if this half-hearted soundtrack fails to really capture that fact.
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. The Movie
02. Riders on the Storm
03. Love Street
04. Break on Through (To the Other Side)
05. The End
06. Light My Fire
07. Ghost Song
08. Roadhouse Blues
09. Heroin
10. Carmina Burana (Introduction)
11. Stoned Immaculate
12. When the Music’s Over
13. The Severed Garden (Adagio)
14. L.A. Woman
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