In the tradition of the 'drone rock,' as so fastidiously demonstrated by darlings Portishead, Eric Campuzano takes many of the obsessed upon themes of Prayer Chain and Lassie Foundation records and, with the help of a dozen musician friends, puts them to hanging dins of instrumental space debris, phantasmagoric dreamscapes, and alien hymns. Charity Empressa has chaotic moments that conjure Godspeed! You Black Emperor, but do not follow those rascals into summoning apocalypse -- instead wandering off to hum within earshot of Hades' gates. Track 11 is a digression that was probably originally for Cush or Lassie, but despite being out of place, stands as a fascinating act of tongue-in-cheek(?) self-indulgence. With its hypnotic, redundant beat and monotone falsetto vocals, it becomes almost an elitist remake of "God Made Rock & Roll," listing all of Eric's favorite seminal rock bands, and scolding the "cool kids" who don't know what's up like he does. Sardonic or not, he's got impeccable taste.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Ken MuellerEric Campuzano has a knack for putting together and getting involved in some pretty cool projects. From his earlier work with The Prayer Chain and the Lassie Foundation, to his recent outing with the Cush, Campuzano always delivers. And now comes his latest project, Charity Empressa. This self-titled disc is billed as a "drone project" of Eric Campuzano and the Frank Lenz Foundation, and it…Opus 2001Reviewed by Jason MoreheadIt seems like the name Eric Campuzano has always been affiliated with great music. He was a founding member of the Prayer Chain, arguably one of the most important "Christian" alternative bands. He played in Starflyer 59, whose status is generally without question. And he's also played in the vastly underrated Lassie Foundation. Charity Empressa is just one more name to add to that already…
