The Doors - The Doors

The Doors were somehow not one of my favorite classic rock bands growing up. I think the main reason was the organ that replaced a lot of the bass and lead guitar parts that I’d grown up to love and expect in classic rock. That dang organ just didn’t hit me right as I power-chorded my way through every song I could get my hands on.

Listening now, the organ does lend some of the otherwise dark and brooding rock a little bit silly-sounding tone at times, but it’s mild enough that the overall effect is uniqueness rather than sounding gimmicky. And of course, the songwriting and the undeniable talent of the band, not least that of Jim Morrison, makes up for almost anything I didn’t enjoy tone-wise (even the hard-to-tolerate organ solo in “Light My Fire”). And the songwriting still sounds ahead of its time.

Jams:

• “The Crystal Ship”

• “Twentieth Century Fox”

Originally part of How Do People Find New Music These Days?.