All 9 Doors Albums, Ranked
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Only studio albums.
- Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
This debut album from the pioneering American rock band set a precedent with its fusion of diverse musical influences, including classical, jazz, blues, and pop, reaching unparalleled global sales. Its mysteries unfurl in the extended version of the hit "Light My Fire" and the Oedipal drama of "The End". Critics laud the album for its influential role in the psychedelic rock revolution. A crowning achievement, it gained a place in the National Recording Registry and the Grammy Hall of Fame. It stands as testament to the band's groundbreaking exploration of musical genres, remaining a touchstone in rock music history.
Tracklist:
1. Break On Through (To the Other Side)
2. Soul Kitchen
3. The Crystal Ship
4. Twentieth Century Fox
5. Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)
6. Light My Fire
7. Back Door Man
8. I Looked at You
9. End of the Night
10. Take It as It Comes
11. The EndMore The Doors
- #11 of 1,700 onThe Greatest Albums of All-Time
- #24 of 276 onThe Greatest Guitar Rock Albums of All Time
- #3 of 172 onThe Best Debut Albums of All Time, Ranked
- Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
Taking the sonic experimentations of their debut to new heights, their second studio album spun out a brilliantly crafted tapestry, woven with threads of collective virtuosity. Extending much beyond genre labels, the album's innovative use of varied instruments, including synthesizers and marimbas, embossed it with a unique aura. Genially produced by Paul A. Rothchild, the record shimmered brightly on the charts. Two of its singles graced Top 30, cementing its reception as a creative zenith within the band's career. Their continued embrace of unusual instruments and recording techniques resulted in a significant audio journey, prized by critics and one still resonating today.
Tracklist:
1. Strange Days
2. You're Lost Little Girl
3. Love Me Two Times
4. Unhappy Girl
5. Horse Latitudes
6. Moonlight Drive
7. People Are Strange
8. My Eyes Have Seen You
9. I Can't See Your Face in My Mind
10. When the Music's Over - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
Returning to its blues-rock roots, their fifth studio album marked a transformative twist in their discography. Released on February 9, 1970, the record embraced jazz-inflected rhythms, resultant of their notorious recording sessions the previous year. Acclaimed for singles "Roadhouse Blues" and "Peace Frog," which have since become staples on rock radio, the album achieved commendable success, peaking at No.4 on the Billboard 200. The music industry hailed the record as a creative "return to form" for the band, cementing its stature in the realm of rock and roll. Notably, the album achieved Gold certification on release - a nod to its immediate impact.
Tracklist:
1. Roadhouse Blues
2. Waiting for the Sun
3. You Make Me Real
4. Peace Frog
5. Blue Sunday
6. Ship of Fools
7. Land Ho!
8. The Spy
9. Queen of the Highway
10. Indian Summer
11. Maggie M'Gill - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
This sixth studio album, and final with Jim Morrison, reflects the band's deepening love affair with the blues. A swansong veiled in vintage rock and roll, it stands as a testament to their unique sound, in an era of rapidly shifting musical mores. Dynamic tracks like "Love Her Madly" enhanced its reception, eventually achieving Gold status. Ignoring conventional studio norms, the band recorded at their personal rehearsal space; an intriguing move that seemed to blend authenticity with innovation. Critics remarked on its full sound, with a developed mysticism tied tightly to the band's brand of rock. This album is a beloved exclamation mark at the end of Morrison's chapter with The Doors.
Tracklist:
1. The Changeling
2. Love Her Madly
3. Been Down So Long
4. Cars Hiss by My Window
5. L.A. Woman
6. L'America
7. Hyacinth House
8. Crawling King Snake
9. The WASP (Texas Radio and the Big Beat)
10. Riders on the Storm - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
The third studio album, released in July 1968, broke multiple records with its reception. Garnering the band's sole number one Billboard 200 spot for four weeks, it also included their popular number one single, "Hello, I Love You". The album's recording wasn’t a smooth ride due to limited original material and lead singer Jim Morrison's escalating alcoholism. Despite its mixed initial reception, the album's mellower tones and experimentation with different genres have earned it sympathy over time. In 2018, a remastered deluxe version was released to celebrate the album's 50th anniversary, showcasing the band's unique musical journey.
Tracklist:
1. Hello, I Love You
2. Love Street
3. Not to Touch the Earth
4. Summer's Almost Gone
5. Wintertime Love
6. The Unknown Soldier
7. Spanish Caravan
8. My Wild Love
9. We Could Be So Good Together
10. Yes, the River Knows
11. Five to One - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
Their fourth studio album pivoted away from their previous works, incorporating an unusually ample sound palette by including brass and strings arrangements—the brainchild of esteemed producer, Paul A. Rothchild. This experimental twist was met with mixed reactions, culminating in an initial poor reception marked by a less than impressive fan-base engagement. Critic assessments varied, but many found their venture into popular music off-kilter. Over time, the album reassessment reflects a mellowed stance, although it remains the most contentious within music forums. With its singles achieving chart success and its subsequent influence on the music scene, this album undoubtedly holds a unique place in their discography.
Tracklist:
1. Tell All the People
2. Touch Me
3. Shaman's Blues
4. Do It
5. Easy Ride
6. Wild Child
7. Runnin' Blue
8. Wishful Sinful
9. The Soft Parade - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
This posthumous release, marrying spoken word recordings of Jim Morrison to fresh melodies from the surviving members, stands out as a unique experiment in the band's repertoire. Navigating a rocky journey from conception to release, the album found itself as a nominee for a Grammy Award in the Spoken Word category. While its legacy remains polarizing, the album carved its niche status as the best-selling spoken word album initially. A disheartening swansong or a befitting farewell – this album undeniably solidifies the band's audacious approach to music, transforming Morrison's poetic musings into an audio journey.
Tracklist:
1. Awake
2. Ghost Song
3. Dawn's Highway
4. Newborn Awakening
5. Black Polished Chrome / Latino Chrome
6. Stoned Immaculate
7. American Night
8. Roadhouse Blues (Live)
9. Astrology Rap
10. The World on Fire
11. The Hitchhiker
12. An American Prayer - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
Sandwiched between sorrow and struggle, the seventh studio album marked a poignant pivot following the loss of their lyrical maestro, Jim Morrison. The haunting void was filled by the combined vocal talents of Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger, offering a touching testament of resilience. Interestingly, work on this album began with the hopeful anticipation of Morrison's return from Paris. While the critics' assessments varied, the single "Tightrope Ride" was hailed as a reflection of the group's undiminished ability to create compelling rock compositions. Despite initial hurdles, the album managed to sell an impressive 300,000 copies.
Tracklist:
1. In the Eye of the Sun
2. Variety Is the Spice of Life
3. Ships w/ Sails
4. Tightrope Ride
5. Down on the Farm
6. I'm Horny, I'm Stoned
7. Wandering Musician
8. Hang On to Your Life - Photo: Elektra Catalog Group / Amazon
In a shift from their prolific past, The Doors unleashed their eighth studio production in August 1972. The release marks their second album, presenting a brave new phase in the band's journey post-Jim Morrison. A stark deviation from preceding albums, this one saw the band experimenting with jazz, alongside their classic rock roots. It houses "The Mosquito," their final charting single, a globe-hopping hit imbued with a surprising Latin flair. Embodying the spirit of constant evolution, the album strays into diverse terrains - from the Latin fusion of "The Piano Bird" to the dense funk of "Verdilac." This release encapsulates a band striving against odds, resulting in an eclectic, albeit polarizing, contribution to rock history.
Tracklist:
1. Get Up and Dance
2. 4 Billion Souls
3. Verdilac
4. Hardwood Floor
5. Good Rockin'
6. The Mosquito
7. The Piano Bird
8. It Slipped My Mind
9. The Peking King and the New York Queen
