It speaks volumes that over half of the album Mercury is covered with this tribute to The Prayer Chain, whereas only one selection from its debut EP, Whirlpool, appears. The Prayer Chain may have made an immediate impact upon the Christian rock subculture with its initial upbeat praise works like "Shine," but it was the complicated music and mixed emotions of Mercury that ultimately earned this SoCal band all of its lasting respect. This various artist collection is by no means a Big Name all-star fest; so don't expect any W. Smith, Chapman or Grant renditions of Campuzano and co. compositions. Instead this 12-track compilation is peopled by PC's slightly underground musical soul mates. Highlights include Matthew's Brian McSweeney, who applies his Tim Buckley-inspired vocals to an acoustic folk treatment of "Bendy Line." Luxury fills "Sun Stoned" with big drums, a twisted Eastern counter melody, the pitter-patter of piano and extra shaky vocals. Best of all is Michael Pritzl's deep voiced singing of "Sky High," which finds him sounding — oddly enough — like Terry Taylor of all people. This is a slow and meditative song of appreciation for God's peace, and Pritzl inhabits it with expert care. Elsewhere Viva Voce sound appropriately psychedelic and spacey on "Manta Rae," Norika turn "The Hollow" into a jazzy guitar groove and Ed Lamoso closes the album with a harmonica-spiced and acoustic guitar strummy feel-good version of "I Believe." All in all, Salutations is a fine how-do-ya-do from a few seriously sincere Prayer Chain musicians/fans.
Editors' ratings — Doug 3/5, Lonny 3/5
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis October 2002Reviewed by Matt Modrich"Salutations: A Tribute to The Prayer Chain" is a project put together by AudioLab Records. It features 13 bands and artists doing some of The Prayer Chain's best songs. The Prayer Chain was one of the first "Christian" bands to break new ground in an industry that was known as a second rate rip-off from the mainstream. In the early to mid 90s the band was part of the grunge/alternative era, but…The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by Ken MuellerThe Prayer Chain was one of those legendary bands that had great talent, put out some great music, and then went out in a flash. The guys who made up that band (Tim Taber, Eric Campuzano, Andy Prickett, and Wayne Everett) have all gone on to bigger things and continue to work together in various capacities to create and nurture some of the most exciting music out there. So it’s only fitting that…
