Danielson
http://www.danielson.info
styles: folk, acoustic rock, indie pop
others: Sufjan Stevens, Danielson Famile
 Ships
Secretly Canadian, 2006
rating: 4/5
reviewer: filmore mescalito holmes
Regardless of who or what you call Gawd, you have to like Jesus. It's
either that, or you're evil. Same deal here. Just the mention of Danielson
brain Daniel Smith's strong Christian musical history is enough to turn a
small closed-minded segment of the indie world off. Forget those people.
I'm basically an atheist (I believe in karma and Bill Hicks) who enjoys
the reality of fundamentalist Christianity about as much as police
presence, and I can say without the slightest reservation that Ships
is a brilliant collaboration of the finest indie minds backed by only
the best intentions. It feels not so much that he's trying to make you
believe in his faith, but rather – as is the power of true soul music – to
convince you he has faith. In that, he won me over almost immediately. It
helps that the album opener "Ship The Majestic Suffix" is torn from the
pages of Frank Zappa and reinterpreted through a slightly less jagged and
abrasive Camper Van Beethoven orchestra. Having recorded under several
variances of the name, Smith has collected under the banner Danielson the
efforts of such notable indie figures as Deerhoof, Sufjan Stevens, and
Steve Albini, as well as his usual extended Famile. Everyone contributes
their voice to the fact that you shouldn't have to mourn your faith.
Celebrate life, brethren.
1. Ship The Majestic Suffix
2. Cast It At The Setting Sail
3. Bloodbook On The Halfshell
4. Did I Step On Your Trumpet
5. When It Comes To You I'm Lazy
6. Two Sitting Ducks
7. My Lion Sleeps Tonight
8. Kids Pushing Kids
9. Time That Bald Sexton
10. He Who Flattened Your Flame Is Getting Torched
11. Five Stars and TwoThumbs Up
 Brother
Is to Son (as Br. Danielson)
Secretly Canadian, 2004
rating: 3.5/5
reviewer: cockle
There's something rather schizophrenic about Brother Danielson's latest release,
Brother is to Son. The sixth release from the now veteran Danielson
Famile sees elder sibling Daniel Smith applying his name to the title but, as
with other Famile releases, the entire clan plays a part or, as it were, an
instrument. Garnering a cacophony of sounds from related musicians, subdued yet,
somehow, potent percussion sets a steady background for the strong rhythms put
forth from a collection of acoustic guitars with additional character flavor
coming from piano and banjo.
There are plenty of enduring moments on this album, and, as a whole, it is a
very strong release. Even to fledgling listeners this could possibly be a very
inviting album. The countrified instrumentation is enough on the "fast" tracks
to cause one to bounce those feet and bob that head. Additional instrumentation
from Sufjan Stevens on banjo gives slower tunes like "Daughters Will Tune You"
such a friendly feeling that it seems the Famile may be asking you to sing
along. However, after one has settled in to the comforts of "Daughters," a
shriek comes swooping down in the form of Daniel Smith's falsetto voice. Even on
these faster-paced tracks, where Smith's falsetto demands less attention, it is
impossible to deny this is the shortcoming of Brother Is to Son. And
while some will find this aspect of the album endearing, it draws from the
strength of the acoustic instrumentation and chorale accord of the Danielson
Famile siblings.
The Christian rock angle has been written to death about the Danielson Famile
and shall hence be whipped once more. It has been widely documented that, while
the Famile may have deeply religious roots, they are by no means a Christian
rock band. Consequently, a rather taught rope has been walked by the Famile.
Whereas their religious influence may very well alienate their prospective
independent audience, their folk-art-punk for Christ set has artistically placed
them well above their contemporary bible baby acts.
Easily put, this is not a Christian rock band in the celebratory sense. Where
other Christian acts come off as preachy and judgmental (you know who you are),
Brother Is to Son is merely music from a kid who happens to love that
feller Jesus Christ, and for that, we may be able to forgive him. Whatever
Christian undertones this release may have, the bulk of the album is rarely
identifiable as religious music. While many of us haven't attended church in
years, if ever, and don't believe in G to the O to the D, under the condition
that our choir director happened to be Daniel Smith, we might start going just
to have a good time and sing with the Famile.
1. Things Against Stuff
2. Cookin' Mid-County
3. Animal in Every Corner
4. Daughters Will Tune You
5. Our Givest
6. Sweet Sweeps
7. Perennial Wine
8. Hammers Sitting Still
9. Physician Heal Yourself
10. Brother: Son
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