The Doors have had ample practice being themselves.They are one of the most oft-appearing groups in pop music, and this constant attention to live effect has produced a crackling confidence in each other's style which shows on their new album Strange Days (Elektra). The music is as tight, as controlled, as satisfying of its own aims as any I have heard in hard rock. Robbie Krieger's guitar slides and slithers around Jim Morrison's voice like a belly dancer. Ray Manzarek's rock organ continues to speak in an impressive array of languages (this album should enlarge the coterie of young musicians now applying a driving-yet-cool approach). Paul Rothchild's production is tastefully cut and tapered, and the album's jacket (let us offer thanks) is not in art nouveau. Copyright 2003 by Richard Goldstein/Waiting-forthe-Sun.net