~ Kory Clarke ~ Opium Hotel ~ Warrior Soul ~

I'm going to do a rating system on where this c.d. will end up in my household..
1 Star.. Straight to Ebay.
2 Stars... It will sit on my "older" c.d. rack to collect dust.
3 Stars.... It will stay in my "listen to rack" to go through every once in a while.
4 Stars.... It will be in my computer while I'm working.
5 Stars.. It will be cranking through the house.. and car.. my girlfriend will have to get used to it..

Review: Opium Hotel was released via import from the U.K. in June 2003. Let me start by saying that I checked all preconceived notions at the door and I was ready to allow Kory to take me on his journey when I first sat down to listen to this album. What is offered by Opium Hotel are flashes of brilliance and honorable intentions, with limited cohesion. Kory dishes out some poignant thoughts and always provoking lyrics, but the production is lacking at times throughout the CD. Kory sings, he offers some spoken word pieces, and the song structures vary from experimental electronic noise to straight up rhythm and blues. I appreciate the diversity on the album, at one point I thought I was listening to Portishead! After giving myself enough time to really digest it, I'm left feeling that Opium Hotel sounds more like a demo with strong potential, than a final product. There are a number of songs that have such a cacophonous soundscape that it is very difficult to decipher the words that Kory is singing/speaking. I am being a little hard on this album because I believe that Kory is still capable of making germane contributions to the art/music world. Although I will surly discover new elements about Opium Hotel that I like, I stand by my review, and reiterate that Kory is capable of more than what Opium Hotel has to offer. This is a transitional album, one where Kory has branched out in many new directions, and as a result it feels awkward at times. I hope that Kory Clarke will continue to grace us with his gifts, and until his next installment, I will continue to enjoy the best of what Opium Hotel has to offer.

Booklet: Thankfully, the booklet includes Kory's lyrics, which are as relevant and challenging as ever! For example, "Another War" reads "A torture now witnessed beyond glories past petulance. Our world is dying and all's we can do is shed blood. Another war on top of war through centuries of war. Joy from riches only fleeting empty souls on rubbernecks. On highways leading to destruction's ultimate shame. Answers to problems so great only mass genius can provide." The photos included in the booklet and in the jewel case are all quality and have aesthetic value and style. It's all-good.

Favorite Song: Check out, "Reverse, Penguin Song, Opium Hotel, Dream Japan, and Yummy House." They are all very different from one another, so prepare for diversity.

Least Favorite Song: "Religion Buzz" and "Sky High", were disjointed and/or sounded forced.

I have followed Korys career from the very beginning and have never been disappointed so far. This new album is not a disappointment, Kory can write easy beautiful songs but he doesn't want to , and I love him for that I really do. What we have here is challenging experimental , Korys music has always come from the heart, its expressive, angry , a wide spectrum of multi coloured odd shapes that slide and fit into each other.
I have met him a couple of times in England ,he is such a great guy and it would be great to see him getting a lot of attention but it ain't gonna happen as this CD is not mainstream enough for the masses.
I have to say that I have listened to it everyday and have not got board of it yet, in fact there is so much to it that its a bit like Aenima by Tool , and the Downward Spiral by NIN, in that it has just so much to it , Im really sorry that I will not be able to see Kory live in England this month I know he will be brilliant .Warrior Soul were amazing live , so good luck to you KORY
-from Sally Wilding.

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