I was trolling the comments section of a very popular indie music blog and I read a post that mentioned a sighting of Sufjan Stevens at a show by a band named Danielson. I wasn’t familiar with the band, but I knew I had seen their name recently. It took me a couple of days, but then I remembered that I had seen them on the calendar for The Hitone in June. So, I did some research and what I found was kind of complex, so I am going to just copy some info from the bio:

Daniel Smith, the eldest sibling of five, closely-knit, brothers and sisters, has released music under a handful of different monikers since 1995. Originally creating “Danielson” as an art school project for his senior thesis, the idea quickly started to grow into the aptly named “Danielson Famile.” This group, which brought into the mix his four younger siblings along with a few friends from childhood, released the critically-acclaimed, “Tell Another Joke at the Ol’ Choppin’ Block” in 1997. During the next two years saw the release of two back-to-back concept albums, “Alpha” and “Omega” under the name “Tri-Danielson,” before Danielson Famile returned with a family celebration album called “Fetch the Compass Kids,” released in 2001. Three years later, he returned with Brother is to Son,” an album celebrating personal identity and community, but this time released under the moniker “Br. Danielson.”

Now don’t be confused friend, because in 2006, Danielson has returned with “Ships ,” an album to resolve all things past. Opening his arms wider than ever, Daniel made a list of all the artists who have worked with him over the years. To that list, he added other folks whom he had made plans to work with at some point. His plan was to bring everyone together, to add to his new album. The creation of “Ships” led to working with family, making new friends, and keeping the old. All joined together - both the well-known (Deerhoof , Sufjan Stevens , Why?) and not as well-known artists (Serena Maneesh, Leopulde, Half-handed Cloud) - each brought his or her own skills and ideas to Daniel’s songs and voice, resulting in this crowning achievement. Not surprisingly, “Ships” became a massive project. Working with his friends, Danielson created so much music much of it could not fit into the full length album. So, all of that music has now spilled over into an ongoing series of 7 releases. “Ships” has brought the project back from whence it came and returning to the eponymous “Danielson” moniker and reuniting old friends and collaborators.

Pitchfork gave the new record a 9.1, saying, “None of Smith’s previous records– and in fact, very few indie releases this year– have flat-out rocked like this one, with blaring trumpets signaling snares to exact their force beneath sweeping multitracked vocal choruses that simply won’t stop crescendoing. On standouts like “Ship the Majestic Suffix” and “Bloodbook on the Half Shell”, the music builds to such immense heights, and increases tension so far past the expected breaking point, that the inevitable release is nearly dizzying.”

And I think it’s pretty good too. If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s Modest Mouse crossed with Sufjan Stevens. You can see what you think when you click on my head and stream the album. If you love it, click on this link and purchase it.

Danielson on Myspace

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