Ships is a strange album from the strange indie band Danielson. Daniel Smith is joined by the Danielson Family (sometimes spelled "Famile") consisting of his wife, siblings and assorted friends. Sufjan Stevens is the only name I recognize among the long list of supporting musicians and vocalists who also collaborated on this project.
I like this weird album, but I can't really explain what it is that appeals to me or why. It's definitely outside the realm of what I usually listen to despite the relative diversity in genres I enjoy. The lyrics tempt me to call this a "concept album" due to the recurring theme of nautical allusions, themes, and metaphors combined with interweaving references in lines of the songs to other tunes on the album.
Danielson is typically labeled as "Christian" or "Gospel," but don't let this dissuade you from checking it out. Daniel has always blazed his own musical trail. The lyrics are obscure and metaphorical rather than blatantly bland, and they don't self-consciously preach a sermon. The music certainly isn't a warmed-over rehash of whatever was popular in secular pop/rock music last year. Daniel Smith has a peculiar singing voice, often affecting a strange falsetto tone. The music often sounds very experimental, with a cacophony of different instruments swelling through many of the tracks. Odd chords, changes in tempo, and dissonant sounds pop up where least expected.
Oh, and did I mention Danielson Famile videos tend to have odd costumes and props just like in their live performances?
The tone changes from childish sing-song to more aggressive music and back again is strange, but it seems carefully structured despite the apparent chaotic randomness.
If you find something interesting in these tracks, I suggest buying the album. If you hate it, never mind. Danielson is definitely an acquired taste. Before abandoning this entirely though, check out the completely different music Daniel Smith made with Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil!
I very nearly forgot to mention one important detail: this album was bought with Steem earnings! Steem was traded for bitcoin, and bitcoin was traded for Amazon.com gift cards. Proof positive that Steemit greates tangible value! And if you don't like the music, it proves value is subjective.
That's right, I included a sneaky economics principle at the end! #sorrynotsorry
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