WAITING FOR THE SUN

"Waiting for the Sun" from The Doors is a notch up from the disappointing two albums to follow. At least here are some quintessential classics that are undisputable in the annals of rock. The mesmirising anti-war anthem, 'The Unknown Soldier', is incredible. It begins with creepy keyboards and Manzarek is at his best on this track. Morrison is full of conviction as he speaks of "Breakfast where the news is read, Television children fed, Unborn living, living dead, Bullets strike the helmet's head". Here we have the horror of war eloquently expressed as people watched from their lounge rooms the events of the Vietnam War unfold on their television screens.

The film clip that went with this is unforgettable. At one point Morrison is shot in a firing squad and blood drips out of his mouth all over the poppies. The middle of the song is powerful, Densmore performs a marching tempo with military precision, then a sergeant shouts "Ready! Aim! Present Arms!", rifles are loaded, a drum roll, the rifles shoot and a very soft keyboard is heard as Morrison sadly relates the plight of the soldier. It bursts suddenly into a furious vocal and Manzarek intensifies the sound. Then there is the celebration that the war is over, as we hear crowd cheering and bells tolling. Sheer genius, capturing in one song all of the horror, sadness and glory of the Vietnam era.

Other ominous atmospheres are captured on 'Not to Touch the Earth'. I also like 'Hello I love You' with its infectious hook and Morrison strong on vocals. 'Spanish Caravan' is enigmatic with Krieger's Flamenco guitar. 'Five to One' features the famous phrase of Morrison screaming "No one here gets out alive!" and is definitely one of the powerful songs of The Doors, certainly one of the heaviest. Overall this is definitely a good album though not up to the standard of the lightning in a bottle, the debut masterpiece.

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