Kory Clarke – Opium Hotel II (2011)
One of Kory Clarke’s paintings featured in the artwork on this here cd is a 5×3 canvas of the Union Jack with the slogan ‘God Shag The Queen’ emblazoned across it. That’s how punk rock he is and how much he doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. Always passionate and controversial whether it be his music, his art or his political views the Warrior Soul frontman has never been one to stand in the shadows, preferring to shout from the highest point to anyone who will listen.
‘Opium Hotel II’ is a collaboration with some of Kory’s friends and artists such as Gary Hood who wrote the fantastic title track from the first ‘Opium Hotel’ album. He also wrote and played guitar here on the similar ‘Masquerade Party’ a simple, almost desolate sounding acoustic track that puts across a feeling of loneliness, it stands apart from the rest as did ‘Opium Hotel’ on the original.
‘Opium Hotel II’ like its predecessor is an outlet for all the stuff that doesn’t fit in the Warrior Soul shaped hole, more experimental and arty. Lyrically he is still spitting at the USA and the government, that will never change until they make him president I reckon.
The album opens with ‘A Message From Mr. Harris’ a Government public announcement tape about recognising the early warning signs of drug dependancy, this segues into ‘Best Birthday Ever’ the first of several of his trademark spoken word pieces, this one shows the more gentle side of Kory’s lyrics
First song proper ‘America’s New Cunt’ is a verbal tirade describing Corporate America as a 200 year old bikini wearing slut,”Who’s the new slut, America’s new cunt” is the refrain, guaranteeing Kory no new friends in the government, not that he would want any! It ends with a “come on…CUNT” – who else can get away with stuff like that?
‘Kiss On This’ harks back to ‘Space Age Playboys’ era Warrior Soul; a fantastic slice of sleazy, punk rock it’s fast and furious – I can listen to stuff like this all day. Lucky for me there is more of the same in the shape of ‘Super Drug’; incidentally Kory plays the drums on both these tracks. ‘Junky Stripper’ is a dumb ass rock song, with a Rob Zombie like vibe, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Of the spoken word material ‘I’m Your Pilot’ stands out, with trippy beats as his back up Kory takes the helm and addresses his passengers – take his trip over Manhattan if you dare; let’s just say it’s an unnerving, bumpy ride.
The atmospheric and acoustic driven ‘It’s My Time’, with its short and sweet twin guitar solo, and the tripped out ‘Painting Space Ships’, are more like vintage Warrior Soul to me. The only oddity that doesn’t really do it for me at this early stage of listening is ‘Paradigm’, but only time will tell.
The production varies from track to track but it doesn’t feel disjointed, it’s a departure from the Warrior Soul albums for sure. An interesting collection of material; I guess it’s a snapshot in a year of the life of Kory Clarke, and one that is well worth exploring.
On the cover of this cd it says “Parental Advisory: This Recording Contains Art” – a subtle dig at the powers that be and freedom of speech, it sure does contain art in many forms. Fans of Kory Clarke will love it as will fans of Warrior Soul, many others may scratch their heads and say “what the fuck?”…job done I believe.
01. Message From Mr. Harris 0:56
02. Best Birthday Ever 1:56
03. America’s New Cunt 4:58
04. Kiss On This 3:38
05. Masquerade Party 1:42
06. Lusting And Devil’s Death 0:53
07. Junky Stripper 4:27
08. Super Drug 5:06
09. Something Deserved 3:01
10. It’s My Time 4:08
11. Painting Space Ships 3:42
12. Paradigm 4:38
13. I’m Your Pilot 3:52
14. Spain 3:07
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Kory Clarke – Opium Hotel II (2011)