Eric Champion

Item: Transformation
Author: Roger Appelinski

Transformation

(1996)

Reviewed by Roger Appelinski

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Label Essential RecordsThe LighthouseFebruary 1997

alternative rock ccm electronic pop rock

"Eric Champion-forget what you know..."

"The artist formerly known as Eric Champion..."

By now you have probably heard that hype and more. And, if you happen to be anything like me, you probably dismissed this with a quip like, "Yeah, I've heard that before. Those record companies will say anything to sell albums." While I don't think you can totally forget everything you know about Eric Champion, there has been quite a... well... transformation in his music. The change in his appearance is inarguable, as he ditched the clean-cut "Johnny Depp" look for a modern "Japanese Sci-Fi" look on the cover, and purple hair at performances.

Right from the opening, you can hear the change. "Dress Me Up" starts as many of the songs start-with Champion (who did all of the drumming) banging out the time on his drumsticks. I thought that was odd at first, but I found out that nearly all of the project was recorded "live"-in the sense that the majority of the music was recorded in real-time in a make-shift studio. The vocal tracks were touched up, and the keyboard/MOOG tracks were added, but the drums, guitar, and bass weren't overdubbed at all.

Probably because of the live vibe, there is a noticeable kick to the project. I felt a strong sense that the players (Rick Will and Dave Clo on guitar and Brent Milligan on bass) were playing their hearts out. Stylistically, I struggle to describe the entire project with a simple word or two. I wouldn't call it modern rock, but it is much more mod-rock leaning than the pop work Champion is known for.

What might shock some is how well he was able to work in a distinctive banjo accompaniment in the verses of "What's In A Name" without it sounding-well, like you might expect when you think of banjo-dorky. The rest of the project drives with heavy guitars and a real modern/pseudo-alternative/angst feel, and here's a banjo fitting in just fine. A highlight for me is the punk-ish remake of Amy Grant's "Every Heartbeat." It just hearkens back to One Bad Pig.

Lyrically, the title is perfect. This project is about a transformation. "Dress Me Up" is about shedding the sinful life for Jesus' rebirth:

I smell like the dirt I smell like the filth I smell like myself and it won't come off I've got to get out of this disgusting sinful clothing So I'm gonna... Take everything off Throw it away I don't want nothin' to mess me up Make everything new Do what You do I want Your lovin' to dress me up I'm so fly, lookin' so fine Dressed up in my new fancy clothes All eyes are on me Do you like what my Lord has done? I recommend Him highly...

The title track follows with an another energetic take on the theme, before slowing down with the song "Life Form." Here, he states that he is "an ever-changing, rearranging lifeform," but he has a desire for his changes:

And when I change, let it be to something new And when I change, let me know just what to do And when I change, let it be into someone like You Oh just like you, like you, Lord

To me, the most engaging song is the aforementioned banjo-laden track "What's In A Name." It isn't a "reach out and grab you" sort of song, as it skirts around the concept. I boil it down to Christ speaking hypothetically to us as humans:

You call me a loser You say I'll never be anything O.K. whatever If that's what you want then that's what I'll be But inside... I'm called the conqueror My name is ruler of all that I see Some say the seed of God They call me mighty Oh, why... You call me stupid I'm wasting my time in a fantasy But out here I'm nothing If that's what you want then that's what I'll be But inside... But after all, what's in a name I'll be whatever that you say Everything is in a name

Take those lyrics for what you will, but I think this is some of the most brilliant songwriting I've seen in a while. Much of the rest of the project is written in this style, illustrating a point through an image (flying toward heaven on "Higher" and Jesus as a bright star in "Droppin' Nova" for example).

I was turned off a little by "Temptannie" because it strikes me as a sped-up version of Audio Adrenaline's "Scum Sweetheart." Both songs use a dark sound that clashes with the balance of their respective projects. It isn't a bad song, it's just that I didn't care for it, and it seems a little bit out of place.

I really did like this project. Is it a whole new Eric Champion? Possibly. Is it his best work yet? I certainly think so. I recommend it highly for fans of progressive pop/rock and possibly even for some fans of alternative rock.