Cleopatra Records seems to be on to something with these indie psychedelic collections, and this latest release sees a bunch of little known psych acts paying tribute to The Doors. Some of the bands take a more traditional approach, playing these classic songs very close to the originals, others really try to do something different. Elephant Stone does a great job with "L. A. Woman", giving this one a very mysterious element that at times makes it almost unrecognizable, but it's quite enjoyable. "Love Me Two Times" by the Psychic Ills" and "Soul Kitchen" from The Black Angels stay pretty similar to the original arrangement and tone of the Doors versions (and done quite well on both ends I might end), while "Hello, I Love You", courtesy of Dark Horses is a trippy, dippy, swirling psych affair complete with swirling synths, jagged guitar riffs, and hypnotic vocals. Well done.
Camera unleashes an almost space rock instrumental version of "People Are Strange", with synths zipping all over the place, tight rhythms, and stinging guitar. Fans of Hawkwind & Ozric Tentacles will certainly love this one. "The Crystal Ship" is given a yearning, lilting feel courtesy of Dead Meadow, and one of the ultimate psych classics, "The Soft Parade", shimmers with trippy goodness thanks to always dependable Sons of Hippies, as Katherine Kelly's charming, quirky vocals dart in and out of bleeping synths and tasty guitar lines. It's a completely odd take on this song, but it works. Dead Skeletons also take a left turn on their version of "Riders On the Storm", with a creepy arrangement and equally disturbing, effects laden vocals. "Light My Fire", by Wall of Death, reeks of psychedelic jazz, with elastic bass lines weaving through haunting vocals and powerful organ. Clinic give a punky vibe to "Touch Me", while "Roadhouse Blues" is anything but blues thanks to the floating psych-punk treatment of Vietnam. Geri X pulls out the heavy rock riffs, spacey keys, and ominous vocals for a driving rendition of "Love Her Madly", and this collection ends with, of course, "The End", by The Raveonnettes, a female duo who offer up a folky, dreamy take on this popular Doors closer.
We've all been witness to many tribute albums over the years, many of which play it safe and give us note perfect interpretations of the original songs. Not so much with this one, as most of these groups have all injected their own personalities into these Doors classics. It's well worth checking out to hear some new twists on these very familiar songs.
Track Listing
1) L.A. Woman-Elephant Stone
2) Soul Kitchen-The Black Angels
3) Love Me Two Times- Psychic Ills
4) Hello, I Love You- Dark Horses
5) People Are Strange- Camera
6) The Crystal Ship-Dead Meadow
7) The Soft Parade-Sons of Hippies
8) Riders on the Storm-Dead Skeletons
9) Light My Fire-Wall of Death
10) Touch Me-Clinic
11) Roadhouse Blues-Vietnam
12) Love Her Madly-Geri X
13) The End-The Raveonettes
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