WAITING FOR THE SUN

On their third album The Doors took a lighter -- and in places even funny -- direction compared to the rather psychedelic debut or its follower Strange Days. Waiting for the Sun is pretty enjoyable set of averagely short songs (the total length is 33 minutes). I must point out immediately that I can't stand the ultimate ear-worm opening track 'Hello, I Love You', which is among the most irritating pop hits ever. Fortunately it's the only BAD song here; the rest (10 tracks) are either excellent or at least fairly nice, if a bit harmless.

On light-hearted 'Love Street' Morrison sings in a Sinatra-like laid-back style, and 'Wintertime Love' is a brief, joyous song with an old-fashioned dance rhythm. These are perhaps somewhat throwaway songs on a rock album, but good examples of the band's sovereign ability to toy with various musical styles and make it sound like The Doors and nothing else. On some later albums especially the vocals of Jim Morrison lost some of that flexibility. 'Not to Touch the Earth' is the album's longest song at 4 minutes, but it's so fascinatingly bizarre that perhaps it could have worked as an extended complex piece. 'Summer's Almost Gone' and 'Yes, the River Knows' are slightly sentimental ballads but their hazy mood is beautiful.

'The Unknown Soldier' is a powerful anti-war rock song. The ripped-down arrangement of 'My Wild Love' reaches for shamanistic levels (Finnish rock band Sielun Veljet had a similar approach on 'Kanoottilaulu' in the 80's). Between these tracks is one of the finest rock songs of the era, 'Spanish Caravan' that features flamenco nuances. This is where the guitarist Robby Krieger really shines. The music is based on -- and openly cites, for example in the electric guitar solo -- a Spanish art music piece, I think it was by Isaac Albeniz.

Waiting for the Sun is perhaps my second favourite from The Doors; the debut in its innovative stylistic variety and powerful atmospheres is clearly their best album. Also this one's very many-sided in the end, and yet it somehow feels very coherent as a whole. The production is very good. If you don't appreciate the lighter and less rocking side of The Doors, this probably feels very uneven to you. A classic rock album with a unique identity, thus deserving four stars even if it's not progressive rock.