What's up with hating on the Doors?

I do not register lyrics in my brane when i listen to recs but the bits i have registered are quite funny (maybe hearing the doors as comedy recs, as sens was jokingly telling me, might be the way forward).

Capt beefheart is the only rock poet i've heard (but is is rock anyway?).

I agree that when Morrison starts talking about snakes and lakes my interest level drops precipitously; however, to proceed from that point to a claim that Morrison never wrote anything but crap lyrics is unjustified. Some of his songs are very direct, emotional, and - dare I say? - subtle statements. "Soul Kitchen", for example, is a succinct and deeply felt evocation of a particular state of mind, and I think anyone who has felt that way can relate to it. Plus it has some great lines: "The cars crawl past all stuffed with eyes" or "Your fingers weave quick minarets / Speak in secret alphabets / I light another cigarette / Learn to forget". No doggerel there.

And I'm really sorry, but I find even the better lyrics you quote trite as all get-out. Nor do I find them bouyed up by the music. They may well be funny to some, but do consider they were truly meant to be taken seriously. If you are sniggering fine, but please admit that you're indulging in some ironic interpretation that admits the inate pretension of Jim's writing. Jim himself while he was alive definetely claimed to be a poet.Therefore it's quite reasonable to believe him and analyse his lyrics as poetry. And I reckon it's absolutley shithouse poetry.

This influence debate I don't really understand. The word covers conscious imitation certainly, but also unconscious regurgitation. I don't see what's difficult about acknowledging that aspect of the creative process.

Now, if you want outright theft of the Morrison vocal schtick, why not check out The Tea Party? As much as that guy claims that he's not trying to channel Morrison, I will never ever believe him.

it's obfuscation pretending to be clarification

"so what temperature is the baby's bathwater, mark s?"
"it's spong!"
"you didn't even check!"
"that's what's so great, i no longer have to!!"

I have kids?

Actually a pretty incredible thread, this, tons of good discussions and anecdotes both.

Don't worry, you'll grow out of that soon.

as a recovering "Door-o-phile", the only things one can say about them in defense is that for a while, they were by themselves. no one quite sounded like that (or since, thankfully) or took thier own press as seriously. beatles perhaps, but, i roundly dismiss the beatles, being that SOMEONE would've done exactly what they did, had they not.probably the stones, but, even they would've done it better.

i guess you have to look at where music was at the time, ie-1967. i still think the first 2 doors albums are total classics! a few mis-steps, but, still very listenable and recorded within 6 months. only CCR can step like that. cream, almost.

musically, the doors were solid, but, didn't liquify into murky jams too often. there's a zeal to it all, too. a youthfully naive sound, like someone who has yet to fail. which they managed to do soon after.
lyrically, i now cringe, but as a fella coming from metal into what i considered dismissable music (classic rawk) i was taken back by the lyrics. i can't say morrison was a god, or even that great lyrically, but he did (as was stated) hit some damn fine points in there. even if they're few and far between, they ARE worth it.

i guess the arguments against them far outweigh the fors'. because time and history have shown us the truth about the people involved and the mythology that still surrounds them, it IS harder to enjoy them as i get older. i still go back, but, it doesn't hold the mystery it once did. i'll be the first to admit, lsd did help, but ultimately i find i go back to the 1st+last albums the most.

the quicklist ranks=
1- s/t or la woman
2- strange days
3- morrison hotel
4- waiting for the sun
5- soft parade

runner up to albums is the live double disc, which has THE best version of "who do you love" evah!!!

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic/story/0,,1949235,00.html

I gave The Doors a big chance in high school, when a few of my close friends were really into them. Unfortunately, someone recommended that I buy American Prayer first. That really put the focus on Morrison's retodded poetry, and then said friends kept raving about the whole Lizard King thing, and then I just stopped trying with The Doors. Also, I can't stand Ray Manzarak's style.