Morrison's Hotel is dumpy, but do stop for a drink.

Sorry if the title offends. VH1 Classic is doing some Doors thing today in honor of Jim's Birthday, and I am too much of a nerd to not weigh in. I am not now, nor have I ever been, a very big Doors fan. I share the opinion that the best thing that happened to them was Jim dieing before his time, making himself a martyr and the rest of the Doors rich (with all due respect to the dead, of course).

I take issue with Jim's psycho babble "poetry". I mean, Street Pizza?, c'mon people.

Jim was stoned. I bet you came up with some far out shit when you were high too. The crystal ship...man...think about it bro....far out.

As far as Jim's legendary status goes, I get it. It's a good story. But I am older now, and I realize that a drunken stoned idiot, regardless of his stardom, is still a drunken stoned idiot. Be that as it may we still idolize stars like Jim, and when they slip up, we crush them with gossip columns and TV coverage, then we move on to the next clown.

Can you imagine Jim Morrison with a Twitter account?

Don't get me wrong, The Doors were a popular band and deservedly so. I don't think they were a fluke. My biggest problem with the Doors is the over saturation of that damn organ and the drawn out songs. I want to shoot the unknown soldier myself by the time that song is all over. It is just awful.

HOWEVER: When that band put down the pipe, picked up some beer and upped the tempo, they were awesome.

Peace Frog: This song shows the Doors rocking. Over the years it has grown some teeth with the dreaded "rock radio" programmers club, but rightfully so. It rocks.

Roadhouse Blues: I have a soft spot for this tune due to a resurgence of it's popularity when I was a teenager. That said it is a shining example of how good the Doors really were.

LA Woman: If any song is worth the hype, it's LA Woman. Like it or not, it is great vinyl for it's time.

If a Doors LP would would find it's way into my collection, it would probably be LA Woman. Riders on the Storm (side 2, track 5) is worth the purchase all by itself, even if it is over my head lyrically.

One final note: The Doors are an aquired taste, and with any aquired taste, you have to pick and choose what you like about it. Door's fans (past, present and future) who buy completely in? I say good for you for being left of the dial. I would not want a world without variety. Just be safe with your intake.






When the music's over, nerd out the lights...