The Doors – Greatest Hits (Rhino Reserve)
Rhino Records recently introduced the Rhino Reserve series, consisting of audiophile-quality 180 gram black vinyl offerings of some of their most legendary albums with lacquers cut from analog masters pressed at Fidelity Record Pressing and housed in heavyweight jackets that take care in preserving the original artwork. As part of Rhino’s Rocktober promotion, The Doors’ Greatest Hits compilation, originally released in 1996, is the latest to receive the Reserve treatment.
Honestly, what more can be said about The Doors, their music and lasting legacy? Everything about the Los Angeles quartet was entirely unique, from the charismatic yet enigmatic frontman Jim Morrison’s shocking stage persona and penchant for spoken word, to their eclectic blues and jazz-inspired brand of psychedelic rock that was driven by keyboardist Ray Manzarek, along with guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore.
Greatest Hits gathers ten fan favorite tracks, highlighted by the bouncy pop of “Hello, I Love You” and “Light My Fire” with its extended organ freakout; along with the moody “Riders On The Storm,” as well as my two all-time favorite Doors songs, “Love Me Two Times,” with its pounding drums, and the heavy and propulsive “Break On Through,” with Jim’s sinister screaming. Also included are the saloon-worthy duo of “Roadhouse Blues” and “L.A. Woman”; the brass and strings-aided “Touch Me,” “People Are Strange,” and “Not To Touch The Earth”.
For most fans – whether obsessive or even casual – these Doors songs have been embedded into the fabric of the musical landscape for nearly 60 years. But this new Rhino Reserve pressing sounds vibrant, clear, and louder yet not just loud for the sake of being loud – it really shows the care with which Matthew Lutthans took at The Mastering Lab – and it gives these songs new life and a new opportunity to hear them at their absolute best.
Stay tuned to Icon Fetch for more Rhino Reserve reviews to come! — Justin Kreitzer for Icon Fetch