The Doors – Strange Days

To the negative reviews on this pressing, I initially thought the same, but my copy was purchased used in 2025 still in the original paper inner sleeve. It was crackly as all get out after a clean in the Spin Clean, especially in-between tracks, so I figured it was likely just years and years of dust caked into the grooves. There was no visible damage. I gave it a soak with MoFi's enzymatic cleaner. Sure enough it cleaned up, and more importantly, it opened up. It sounds much better now. I could see all the crud picked up off the record after the enzymatic clean. It will likely need a few more plays to get it all out and/or additional cleans.

Also, the album has a quite a bit of dynamic range and is pretty quiet to start so you do need to turn it up. When you do, it opens up and blooms. It's not a loud, compressed pressing, and that's a good thing. I also have the 2009 Rhino cut by Bernie Grundman. That one does not show as being remastered so that might an alternative if you don't want to chance this one. Both are great.

These Doors titles are right up there with the best of this series so far. This particular one pretty much matches the AP45rpm but has the bonus of less flipping. Bit of non fill spoils a few brief moments but its a 50/50 with these Rhino HF for non fills and ive had far worse than this. The best one remains The Doors and Waiting for the Sun. Its probably only LA Woman where i can hear the advantages of the AP45 ive long had. That makes these a real success!!

Initially I was disappointed with the sound quality, but after cleaning this sounds phenomenal. Almost no background noise, music is very well balanced with lots of depth. One of my absolute favourite albums of all time.

yeah, I'm liking this a lot. Lively, quick, highs sparkle, great clarity, and near noise-free vinyl. Just beautiful. Found this in my local secondhand record shop in NM condition. Couldn't be happier.

Probably the best sound you could get out of the mono tapes in the condition they are in. Tons of dropouts, shrill vocals, minor distortion throughout. In of a representation of the mono master tape, it does this really well. I'd highly recommend either a US or UK first mono pressing, the vinyl is noisy, but the tape is still fresh and has no dropouts or inconstancies.

This pressing sounds incredible!
Totally kills the stereo mix IMO.
I have the DCC, the AP 12 inch 45, and this one blows them out of the water.

Amazing presentation of my favourite Doors’ album. Glossy gatefold sleeve, with a cool insert. And the dead-silent vinyl, one can tell, is of the highest quality. Perhaps the best sounding LP in my entire collection! I’m really kickin’ myself for not getting their debut as a Rhino High Fidelity record.

Just got this exact pressing yesterday. I was probably the first person to play it.
Sounds absolutely fantastic.
Punchy as hell and loud. I compared to the 2017 mono…this is louder with more bass and isn’t missing the “lost” word on “you lost little girl”
Also zero tape issues at the end of “love me two times”. Great copy

As many others have stated this is my best for this album with AP45, Rhino HiFi and 1967 Pitman COl-1 both sides very acceptable and more affordable options. I like the detail, clarity and balance of this overall. This one will cost you. It is not a necessary purchase unless this is a desert island album for you but it does sound great. It won’t disappoint you. These don’t include the monos which are a different category and a different write up.

Comparing with the AP45 I will say the album overall sounded worse than I . That being said, I do prefer this pressing. The AP45 sounds a bit more clean and “HiFi” and while very good, I’d suggest getting this one for a more natural sound.