danielson - "ships" - review - luther
Danielson is not to be reckoned with. This one man/family/superband project has sprung from years of development, experimentation, and hard worn experience. Beginning as a thesis project for one Mr. Daniel Smith, proceeding through many incarnations, from concept albums to an upcoming full length documentary; the latest installment in the Danielson Famile legacy is the much lauded and rather ambiguous "Ships".
This album, like others in the Danielson legacy, is not instantly accessible. You might be drawn into the melodic choruses, the Americana-Orchestra sound, or just the sheer energy, but eventually you'll stay or go for some other reason. Much akin to last years Sfjen Stevens' Illinois, Ships is at once familiar and confusing. Smith screams and wails in his manchild falsetto through eleven careening tracks with such a sense of urgency that the breaks between songs almost become a moment to recuperate and brace yourself for the next overture. When everything isn't nearly bouncing out of control, even the slower tracks seem to be constantly leaning forward, just threatening to tip over the edge of the world, held by a string growing thinner by the second. Accompanied by a chorus of childlike harmonies (provided by mostly family, and some friends), the sound seems to wax and wane with random frequency. The contrast of such seemingly amateur vocal stylings over fully orchestrated, beautiful compositions is the main aspect of this album that really sets it aside from others in the rapidly growing DIY good-kids community. With some help from the likes of Deerhoof, Sufjan Stevens, Why?, Sereva Maneesha, Leopulde, and Half-Handed Cloud (responsible for most of the orchestral work on Stevens' epic Illinois), the sound in undeniably original.
Lyrically, themes stay pretty light, tinged with mythology, modern living, moral dilemmas, a sense of family spirit and growth, and (most talked about) Christianity. When I heard about the religious connotations of the Danielson musics, not being well versed in his earlier work, I was expecting something much more subversive; lyrically skirting around the edges of his beliefs, a lack of bad language; but I was surprised to flip to the Danielson homepage only to find it emblazoned with the title: "Official site for the Christian indie-folk rocker". I personally applaud anyone for asserting their views and opinions in general, but with something that has become so controversial (and sometimes suicidal) in the music industry borne like such a flag of pride, I am in awe. I don't want to linger on the religious beliefs of Smith or his cohorts, since I think that the music should and does speak for itself, but I certainly think that it is worth noting and keeping an open mind to. And, in case you were wondering, it in no way adversely affects the musical experience, as has been such a sad truth for so many in the past.
When thrown together in such a deft and mesmerizing way, the elements of "Ships" become something hypnotic and satisfying that will, in the end, serve of polarize it's listeners. Your gonna love in, or hate it, but, whatever you do, give it a chance and you might be surprised.
Two Sitting Ducks: 
Kids Pushing Kids: