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KORY CLARKE :
OPIUM HOTEL

This is a hard review to write... in more ways than one. Let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of Kory Clarke, I mean, if I wasn't, how would I even know of this CDs existence? You can't exactly pick these up at Wal-Mart. Anyway, Warrior Soul has always had a special place in my heart, and I've been pimpin' those CDs to my friends, and anyone who would listen since the day "Last Decade Dead Century" was released. When Kory fronted the Space Age Playboys, I was still on board, the political rants were gone, and in their place were songs about partying, chicks, and limos, but the tunes still rocked. When I heard he was doing a solo record, I new it would be different, I was prepared for that, but personally, I still wanted, and hoped for, a CD full of energetic songs, that made ya wanna run out and break stuff. Opium Hotel is not that CD. It's cool in it's own way, and I'm glad to have it, but my overall feeling is one of disappointment. I know people will bitch at me for saying that, but that's how it is. I know artists have to grow, and follow their hearts, but for this long-time fan, this CD just doesn't cut it. There are only a few good tracks, and only one that'll knock you on your ass. One thing is for certain, Kory is still one pissed off guy, and what he hates most, is the political corruption in the US. Musically, he is all over the map, the closest comparison I can make is to WS's "Chill Pill" CD, but that's still not really on the money. So lets take a look at the disc, sort of song by song, shall we?

1. Jihad vs McWorld - This is a quirky instrumental intro sort of thing, no biggie, you can take it or leave it.

2. Corporate Genocide - This is a slow, plodding, fuzzy mess. It tries, but it goes nowhere. Thankfully, it is only 2 minutes and 20 seconds long.

3. Without Guns - This one starts to rock, and gives you a glimmer of hope, but it quickly gets bogged down in a fuzzy, unstructured mess, that never properly developes.

4. Yummy House - This is a strange one, slow, with a seemingly programmed dance beat, another directionless mess.

5. Reverse - This is the reason you still need to buy this CD. A fist pumping anti government, anti war anthem, that will have old WS fans wankin' it, and wondering why the rest of the CD is not like this.

6. Mr Harris - A funny, very short, spoken word bit about drinking, cool.

7. Religion Buzz - This is another cool rocker, that almost comes of as a WS tune, second best one on the disc.

8. Dream Japan - More spoken word driven stuff here. However this is not as venomous as usual, it's more like a mellow poem, read over odd background sounds.

9. The Penguin Song - This, is one weird little song, but it'll suck you in, and soon become one of the few favorites to be found on the disc.

10. Boom Ka Boom - This is more of a spoken word piece, that was originally released via Kory's web page as "Oil Cloak". It's cool, as well as creepy, but not a song per say.

11. Opium Hotel - This is an odd sort of acoustic guitar driven tune, I've started to fast forward this one.

12. The City Today - This is 4 minutes of pure techno crap.

13. Sky High - This is a kind of cool, emotional mellow tune, utilizing just vocals, a bass, and a few keys.

14. Another War - This is another spoken word type piece. It's cool at first, but at 8 minutes in length, it kind of drags on.

So, as you can see this disc is all over the place. Some will dig it (or pretend to), most however will enjoy parts, and learn to fast forward the unwanted tracks. If Kory put out CDs every year like WS used to do, then I wouldn't really mind, but CDs from the man are now few and far between, so who knows how long until the next installment. I would say this is for die-hard fans only. Casual listeners might want to take their cash elsewhere. For more info on this bizarre front man, check out koryclarke.com.
RATING = 4 Rock (Released 2003)

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"Greatest hits albums are for housewives and little girls."
-Bruce McCulloch K.I.T.H. '91

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