Living in the burgeoning metropolis that is Birmingham, I’ve been exposed to the full extent of brilliance in the local population. The engine in the car I bought here last week gave in and my bike was stolen. Within an hour of one another! As you can imagine I relished the newfound opportunity to commute on public transport, which took me 3 times longer than usual.
In this time, I re-listened to An American Prayer. This album has been on my radar for some time. Throughout September, I have been listening to a new album each day. Some truly stuck out. Big Data, 2.0; Tame Impala’s InnerSpeaker were among the top 5. But in all, I cannot deny the majesty of An American Prayer.
An American Prayer is deeply impressive. This is due mostly, for me, to the vocals being recorded in 1969 and 1970, before Jim Morrison died. The album itself was released in 1978, after The Doors had broken up.
Do you know we are being led to slaughter by placid admirals & that fat slow generals are getting Obscene on young blood?
Do you know we are ruled by t.v.?
In spite of their personal differences, the remaining members of the Doors (Ray Manzarek Robby Krieger John Densmore) got back together and wrote backing tracks to put behind Jim Morrison’s poetry. The poems and spoken words in this album moved me. They shook me. In fact, whenever I set my mind on any one part of this Opus, I get goosebumps.
An American Prayer is a stupendous album, even for those who don’t like The Doors to the extent I do. Lyrically; conceptually and musically, this album is important. It will appeal to all of those musically inclined.
Indians lay on dawn’s highway bleeding
Ghosts crowd the child’s fragile eggshell mind
And if you love The Doors, An American Prayer will bring some of their most loved songs to life. you may find yourself discovering new depths to tracks you thought you knew!