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THE REVIEW
L.A. Woman is considered by many a masterpiece and by others a mediocre album, the beginning of what would likely have been their decline. For me, it's a well-done mix of both opinions. L.A. Woman is appreciated for its very dark and bluesy sound.
The album starts with "The Changeling" featuring a Hammond organ, and this time Morrison's voice is sharper and heavier than a cleaver, in short, a composition made by a drunken madman and a not-so-better-off Louis Armstrong. In "Love Her Madly," one of the two additional bass players added by the Doors comes out. The song breathes the air of '68 even if it has long passed. At the time, released as a single, "Love Her Madly" was a big hit. Then it's the turn of the two blues: one strongly aggressive with Morrison's voice screaming, violent like never before ("Been Down So Long"), the other calm and tranquil ("Cars Hiss By My Window"). The title track gives us an excellent piano performance in 8 minutes and a great rhythmic section by Densmore on the drums, but nothing new. Another noteworthy song is "Hyacinth House," which can be described as harmless, in every sense. But the storm threatens ominously around the corner, and right after the last notes of "The Wasp," the rain falls, the thunder is heard, "Riders On The Storm" begins: electric piano, precise drumming from a true jazz master drummer, and that guitar that seems to enter quietly without wanting to disturb, the prophetic voice of Jim Morrison, all in a magical, hallucinatory, and dreamy atmosphere. The storm lasts only seven minutes though, then the sun returns, a false sun.
Now you either start the album over or put it away in the drawer and forget what you listened to. I've honestly given this album a 4 because you can notice some cracks in Morrison's lyrics, which, let's be honest! No longer have the sparkle of the past; moreover, this album has songs that could have sincerely been avoided like "L'america" and "Crawling King Snake" which are very lacking in musical content.
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Summary by Bot
L.A. Woman is a well-balanced album blending dark blues sounds with occasional flaws. Morrison's harsher voice suits the mood, with standout tracks like "Riders On The Storm" creating a magical atmosphere. Some songs feel unnecessary, and lyrics lack past spark. Overall, it's a strong but imperfect classic rock work.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
The Doors
American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965. Core members: Jim Morrison (vocals), Ray Manzarek (keyboards), Robby Krieger (guitar), John Densmore (drums). Known for a distinctive organ-led sound, theatrical live shows and landmark albums (The Doors, Strange Days, L.A. Woman).64 Reviews
Other reviews
By the clash
Jim, the master of those doors, says, near his death, that he is a “changeling,” one who transforms often, with many faces.
His real stories, witnesses of a life always on the edge, of an uncomprehended poetic spirit and interpreter of a human condition longing for life, transgression but also sad and contradictory, riding the storm… riding the storm…
By alfo
Jim Morrison, an intellectual with a deep hypnotic voice, amidst the wave of optimism and enthusiasm, already sensed the advent of the downfall, total, definitive, and unavoidable of modern civilization.
L.A. Woman carries away the painful perversions of the ’70s, taking them to the cemetery of civilization, leading them with its steady and repetitive rhythms to its ossuary.
By nikko89
The last breath of the shaman of pain, the last tremor...
Riders on the storm... a timeless piece carved in the stone of memory as if graffiti of blood.
By groucho84
The Doors could not have crafted a better epilogue for their extraordinary career.
‘Riders on the Storm’ is an absolute milestone in the history not only of this group, but of all rock.
By Alevox
"I'm so down, it almost feels beautiful."
"Jim Morrison, a dog without a stick, an actor borrowed and consumed by his own act, burnt like an asteroid in the rock panorama of the late sixties."
