Hey, it's getting harder and harder to start into these things! Well, to begin with, the horns and brass sections on this album were not well received by the fans, which is strange because of how well the Beatles worked them in. The Doors never got any slack. This album was basically panned by critics, but oddly enough, sold more copies than the critically acclaimed Strange Days. Maybe the hit Touch Me gained a larger audience, because you can't say that the horns didn't work out well for this one. I think that the cover you put on an album basically sets the feeling for you, and as Matt says, Morrison Hotel basically seems bluesier because of its cover, while L.A. Woman is just maroon and orange faces, kinda dull. But The Soft Parade's cover really gives a kind of dark blue feeling, and the music sounds like it's distant (not really, that's just the effect you get). Among some of the "un-doorsy" songs, there is Shaman's Blues, which most hardcore fans liked, because it sounded like their older stuff. There weren't any horns on that song, so that might have added to the traditional sound. Some of the songs on this are really weird, as I am about to cover. I give The Soft Parade 4 1/2 handclaps out of 5.
Tell All The People
It has a really big intro, like something you'd hear in a Disney movie portraying a big castle or something. The melody is catchy, but you may get bored at the end, where he basically just says the same thing over and over. But not too bored, because he adds the Morrison touch to it, making it kind of cool.
Touch Me
This hit brought many new fans, but may have lost a few more. I think this was the third #1 hit from the Doors. It is a good song, and it is catchy.
Shaman's Blues
A fan favorite, because of the classic Doors sound. It has a more smooth and low feeling to it that the others, and it definitely has the Morrison touch.
Do It
Probably not what you're thinking. This song is kind of boring, and Jim repeats Please, Please listen to me children more than the first song's ending. But still a cool song.
Easy Ride
Sorry, a cool song. It's very upbeat, and Jim doesn't seem to mind. I don't know what this sounds like, and it's harder to explain this to you than trying to explain sailors to the underfed.
Wild Child
Probably one of the coolest songs on the album, and the Cult's version of it on Stoned Immaculate is cool too. I don't know what's with this album, but I can't stop calling it cool.
Runnin' Blue
A tribute to Otis Redding, who that is I'm not sure, but this is a weird song. There are a bunch of cat-fiddles and stuff playing something you might hear in the bayous of Louisiana. But the verse seems a little more normal, and of course, there are horns.
Wishful Sinful
Some accuse this to be undoorsy, but I just think its a neat pop song that the Doors were diverse enough to do. Sure, it's mellow, but it sounds like the Crystal Ship, and that's not considered undoorsy. I don't want to but I have to, this is a cool song.
The Soft Parade
Matt-O-Mac and I like this song, probably because of all the shifts in genre throughout the song. The first time I heard this song, I was like, "ooh, I like this one". I'm sorry. But anyways, the can you give me sanctuary part sounds like it's being sung in a cathedral, especially in the Essential Rarities version.
This is Kal from the Matt-O-Mac site, reviewing various Doors Cds for someone's entertainment... we're just not sure who.
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