Among the most influential and certainly one of the more controversial rock groups of the '60's, their influence has definitely persisted, as has the demand for and love of their music. The doors debut album released at the end of 1966 is their best album when taken as a whole. Not one mediocre song on the entire album.  There are some individual songs from later albums I like better, but the strength of this album as a whole is not surpassed on any of the following releases.  I have two copies of this album, a 1st pressing in stereo on the tan Elekta label and a fourth pressing from 1980, red Elektra label with Warner Comm logo.  This is an amazing version of Willie Dixons Back Door Man, so much emotion; followed by the haunting and psychedelic End Of The Night:

Strange Days was released in September 1967 and went to #3 on the charts, while their debut was still sitting in the top 10.  Again, I have two copies of this album.  One is a 1st pressing mono copy, which is rather rare, as stereo was more popular at this time, less mono records were being produced.  Book value on the mono copy in near mint condition (which this is not) is about $600.  The other record is the first issue stereo.  My picks from this album are Moonlight Drive, (from mono recording) followed by People Are Strange (stereo):

Third studio release from The Doors,  Waiting For The Sun, became their only #1 album, probably on the back of the previous two strong records.  It also produced a number one single with the catchy Hello, I Love You.  This is not a record of the doors that I choose to play often; I feel it is a little weak lyrically, and some of the songs are boring. So if you are looking for some doors for you collection don't start here; this is really an album to purchase to complete the "doors" collection.  That being said, if you come across this in mono grab it!  It is worth more that Strange Days in mono. 

Here in the style of a chain gang song is My Wild Love followed by the Five To One:

This is a strange mix of music, experimenting with orchestrations on some songs like Touch Me, and spoken work in the beginning of the Title Track suite. As with Waiting For the Sun, not a particularly strong album, in fact is has some of their worst songs (Tell all the people & Do It), and it is not very coherent as an album.  Unlike most songs on this album, Shaman's Blues at least sounds like the doors:

After two rather disappointing albums, Morrison Hotel starts off with one of my favourite Doors songs Roadhouse Blues.  That song alone makes this album worth getting.  Add to that the funky Peace Frog, Ship of Fools, and bluesy The Spy... you got a pretty good album. Redeemed!

Here is the spy: