Artist Info:Discography Album length: 10 tracks: 39 minutes, 29 seconds Street Date: 1998
Just for the time being, let's forget the fact that Eric Champion is about to make a comeback
and the fact that we are unsure what his new record will sound like with the new band he recently formed.
He began his musical career in 1990, creating an eclectic pop sound all his own with elements of techno
and sometimes dance elements. His first four albums were pure examples of the genre he attempted to popularize.
He gained massive street cred with his 1994 album Vertical Reality, which proved to be his last project
of all eclectic pop. Fortunately, EC fans had something new to groove to when Mr. Champion opted for a
more pop/rock affect on his edgy 1996 effort Transformation; which featured Dave Clo (now formerly of
All Star United fame) on guitars, himself on drums, and a guest organ appearance by the legendary
Charlie Peacock. The accompanying tour featured him travelling with an indie rock outfit by the name
of Spin Cycle to back him up on the musical part of the shows.
That soon changed in 1998 Eric Champion hired a full 4 piece band to play on and tour in support of
his next project, Natural. Like Transformation, the album featured a more aggressive rock
approach while maintaining some electronic synth pop samples in the background. The album's title track has a
very smooth, laid back rock vibe with plenty of Eric's vocals to complete the track, uttering words like
'It's so hard to force good when bad comes natural' (reminding us of the constant fights we have against
our own sinful nature to remain holy and pure). The next track "God Only Knows" is basically telling the
listener that only God knows what our future holds. Eric decides to take a humorous approach as in
"Hacker's Prayer" where he uses somewhat of a computer language to describe a computer junkie's means of
receiving salvation from God. Much of the second half of the album is a sonic whirlwind of chaotic pop/rock
with a hint of alternative buzz to boot. Songs such as "Breakin the Room," "I Am Nothing," and "Just Me"
are by far the hardest tracks on Natural and are done exceptionally well along with excellent
arrangements.
An interesting factor is that a special message is inscribed on the credits page of the album insert:
"No substance abuse (not counting sugar, caffeine, msg, fat grams, cholesterol, and La Hacienda) occured
during the making of this record." This implies to the listener that the music is wild and highly energetic,
but that's only because the people making the record got themselves on a high sugar and caffeine rush prior
to recording; this adds a fine touch of humor to the album as well. In conclusion, although Eric Champion
is releasing a new album, which he has not done since this 1998 record, his true fans should not forget
Natural, a historic piece of rock music history during the 90's period of Contemporary Christian Music.
Hopefully, his new project will inflict elements from his last project as well as Transformation,
giving his fans another rock record worth adding to their collection.
- Review date: 7/11/04, written by Paul Portell
Artist Info: 
