79 :: Danielson

I’ll concede at the very start of this blurb that several long-time CMG staffers think this record—one I adore in quantities that even the hyperbole to come can barely over-emphasize—is shit: capricious, indulgent, a confrontationally irritating mess. Or at least they did when Ships arrived, seemingly out of nowhere, in the spring of 2006. And, OK, I get their FUCK THIS WHY IS HE MEWLING DID HE JUST SAY “PIG PODS” reaction, at least initially; I imagine Chet’s head, unable to contain itself, gratuitously erupting at the first thirty seconds of “Two Sitting Ducks,” like that scene from Scanners except with a giddy soundtrack. But, regardless of how warranted those knee-jerks may be, or how right Chet’s head might be to detonate upon hearing Daniel squeal, “I’m gonna make you my prior-i-tay!”, Ships is unquestionably worth struggling and sticking with. Because here, in the often whimsical and, yes, confrontational recesses of Daniel Smith’s absurdly catchy folk-pop, is one of the most fascinating records of the decade.

Fascinating in part, unavoidably, because of the well documented history of Daniel and his extensive musical community, encompassing several branches of the Smith family, long-time friend Sufjan Stevens, members of Deerhoof, WHY?, Serena-Maneesh, Half-handed Cloud, and so many more. This context would be almost entirely beside the point were the record’s central theme—when not interrupted by non sequiturs about shy parrots and body baskets, or his best Cartman impression—not tethered directly to it. Ships is, triumphantly, the converging point of the entire Danielson Community over their twelve-year, seven-record arc—both the product and celebration of the peculiar journey from college thesis project to this, their defining Statement. Those dozens of collaborators come together in well-orchestrated turns, their leader’s enthusiasm in tow, to help fully realize what is easily their best collection of songs yet. It’s the kind of feel-good collective step forward that would beg for something corny about “stars aligning” had the album’s cover not already beat me to it.

Fascinating also because it holds up, four unanswered years later, as an endlessly rewarding and singular and above all else fun experience, one that, as Dom so perfectly described in his review, “[is] so full of hope and devotion and palpable love that it convinced me cheering up was as easy as an ineffable, osmotic transfer.” Granted, it can be a hell of a shrieky mountain to climb, and there’s not exactly much subtlety to be found in these eleven songs—from tone- and concept-setting opener “Ship the Majestic Suffix” through the cheeky “well done, us!” closer “Five Stars and Two Thumbs Up”—but a record so wholly devoted to celebrating itself is hardly concerned with anything but the superliminal. Tellingly, this is the same guy who, shortly before Ships‘ release, toured as a tree.

Nothing phallic about that! And, yeah, he’s almost daring you to not immediately dismiss something like dressing up as a goddamn tree as utter indulgence or one Flaming Lips-sized conceit too far. So too will Daniel’s vocal caterwauling have this effect on many, especially on those crucial first listens, for similar reasons. Yet, as “child-like” and mercurial as his singing/songwriting/choices in costumes may be, he’s hardly naïve of how gimmicky or beyond ridiculous a lot of it (and there’s plenty more; just throw on that Danielson: A Family documentary) may seem. This is ultimately what I find most engaging about Daniel Smith’s music, Ships especially: his willingness to be ridiculous in service of genuinely surprising and uplifting music, to indulge creative whims but in considered and focused strides, to hold not a single melodic yelp or epic structure or anthemic chorus back.

So, seriously: give Ships enough time to get past the initial WTF of Daniel’s voice, because there really is a wildly imaginative glut of celebratory pop to get wrapped up in. Just be extra forgiving at first, and um, definitely build up a hefty callous before tackling “Two Sitting Ducks.” Oh—and you’ll be relieved to know that, with the release of Ships, Daniel has traded in the Tree Of Life for these snazzy matching outfits. Like I said: a step in all the right directions.