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The ups and downs of this remixed album

Adam S. Carter | Dickson, TN United States | 06/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This remixed debut album is supposedly the correct speed after decades of being mastered at a slower speed. Apparently, only the 45 RPM single of Light My Fire was the only record off this album cut at the correct speed, but every subsequent release has actually been a little too slow. Inside the 1st album remixed CD there is be an explanation by Bruce Botnick stating why this is so. That really piqued my curiosity.



I have also previously owned most of the Gold CDs, 1988 releases, and 1999 remasters. I have listened to the 1999 remasters and compared them to the 1988 remasters. The 1988 releases were tinny and flat sounding, while the 1999 version of this album was rich and full. I have also compared both of them with this 2007 remix. Clearly, this remix is the way to go. I CANNOT SAY THE SAME FOR THE DOORS REMIX ALBUMS AFTER STRANGE DAYS. After that, they sound waaaaay different which is not what I am pursuing. Some of you probably want a different sound and that's fine. The bottom line: the 2007 remix of the 1st album is "brighter" and "crispier" than the 1999 remasters and the 1988 CD release. I believe the 1999 release might sound a bit "fuller" than this 2007 remix, but I will definitely listen to this version from now on hopefully. Jim's voice is a tad more distant on some of the songs on the "2007" remix. It's plain as day to hear that. I think the instruments are turned up a bit higher and his voice level remains the same as before. The stereo separation is about the same as the 1999 and 1988 CD release, but the cymbals really come crashing through a lot louder and are more crisp and the drum are punchy. Any way you slice it, the remix gives your tweeters more work to do, but the organ and cymbals do tend to drown Jim out somewhat (but not too bad). This remix, in my opinion stays very close to the way everyone remembers The Doors' first album, only accentuating and embellishing it a bit. I was always disappointed at the tinny and flat sounding 1988 CDs, the 1985 Greatest Hits CD and the DCC 24 Karat Gold CDs as well even though they were a slight improvement.



By the way, just like the 1999 release added some lyrics, those lyrics appear here as well. On Break on Through, Jim says "She gets high" and on The End a particular expletive appears at the end of the song just as it appears in Apocalypse Now.



This speed issue with "Light My Fire" is an even bigger difference than The Police's 1978 original album "Outlandos d' Amour" that features "Roxanne" which suffered from being mastered at too slow a speed since its first CD release in the late 80's, and it was interesting to hear it on the 2003 remaster at the correct speed. I played "Light My Fire" to a friend and he picked out the difference immediately.



The speed discrepancy was brought to Bruce Botnick's attention by a Brigham Young University professor who stated that all the video and audio live performances of The Doors performing Light My Fire, as well as the sheet music show the song being in a key almost a full half step higher than the LP release. That should make sense because when I have seen the Doors perform live on their concert videos they plays the song faster. Also, the verse chords should alternate between A minor and F sharp minor in the song- but instead on the LP and CD versions they are an A Flat minor and an F minor. This explains why on CD releases "Light My Fire" claims to run 6:50, but in all reality runs around 7:05. Finally, this remixed CD runs at the proper speed. Light my Fire is 6:50 here.



Moonlight Drive Version 1 and 2 are nice to have, along with an alternate Indian Summer, but my main purpose in buying this was to compare/contrast the differences in speed and sound quality and have "Light My Fire" at the correct speed.

"

New Isn't Always Better

Matthew Comegys | Ueda, Nagano, Japan | 10/20/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Now this is a frustrating release. Up to now, all releases of this album has been a bit too slow and this CD thankfully corrects that. The band sounds more youthful and charged while plowing through their seminal debut.



But there's a catch; this is not the original mix either. The surviving Doors and engineer/producer Bruce Botnick have taken it upon themselves to completely remix the album. It's more like a modern mix now, and the sound is clearer and punchier. Unfortunately, this also does away with the creepy, compressed atmosphere that was a trademark of the original mixes. The balance has swung away from the psychedelic into more typical classic rock territory.



As is common with more modern mixes, the drums are also more front and center. It's fun to hear John Densmore's creative and musical drumming clearly, but it obscures the rest of the band more than I'd like.



After hearing this, I have trouble listening to the original mix's slightly flat sound, but I miss the original's atmosphere with the new mix. I guess the best thing to do is never listen to this, and grab a copy of the still fine 1999 remaster (which also includes the infamous lost vocals on "Break On Through" and "The End"). If you're new to the Doors, this new disc may serve it's purpose, I feel it's missing the aural mystery and majesty of the original."

Superb Remastering Of A Milestone!

B. J O'Connor | Holmdel,NJ USA | 04/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Taken from last year's "Perception" box set,the groundbreaking debut album from Jim Morrison and company is yet again remastered/remixed,but this time its done at the correct speed-the previous LP/CD versions ran at a slower pace,thus its pitch was different than it was intended until now.In addition,the mix is clearer,punchier and more directness(especially the vocals and guitars) than even the fine 1999 remaster had.Plus there's a colorful,informative booklet featuring lyrics,rare photos,notes from Doors engineer Bruce Botnick and an essay from famed rock writer Ben Fong-Torres.Since there is no dispute of the quality of the music contained here(honor roll:"Break On Through","Light My Fire","Soul Kitchen","Crystal Ship"and the 11-minute epic "The End"),this is simply a piece of music history no rock fan should be without.And this is the end of my review."