The fact that the Danielson Famile was founded in such an unusual manner seems all too appropriate. This, of course, is a band best known for its lead singer appearing onstage dressed as a tree. Since forming the band as part of his senior thesis at Rutgers, lead Danielson Daniel Smith has released several albums with the help of his younger siblings, under such names as Danielson Famile and Tri-Danielson. Brother Is To Son, Smith’s first solo recording, is similar both musically and lyrically to the other Danielson albums, and actually features his siblings on most, if not all of the tracks, begging the question; why is this considered a solo album? There it is again though, right on the cover, that tree, reminding us it’s probably best not to ask questions.
Although it’s hard to discern amid all the frantic strumming and frenzied screeches, Brother Is To Son, like the rest of the Danielson albums, is comprised of overtly Christian themes. Smith references God on many occasions, but the references are dropped into the songs, not thrown into our faces. Smith sings of Christianity as part of his life, not as a method of preaching. Another artist who shares this aesthetic, Sufjan Stevens, guests on banjo on the album, fresh from the success of his critically praised Seven Swans. The appearance of Stevens is an interesting juxtaposition, as his quietly religious folk songs are the sonic opposite of the swirling insanity which Smith stirs up.
The album is similar to Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs in many respects, not only for the folksy instrumentation and bizarre, often long, song constructions, which stretch as long as eight and a half minutes, but also for the absurd context in which both albums exist. Brother Is To Son never really settles into a serious moment, which is remarkable, especially for an album on which the main concern is religion. The absurdity is heightened on songs such as “Our Givest” in which the chorus is apparently sung by Smith and a backing chorus of small children.
Smith’s voice is a wild and dangerous instrument, ranging from sounding almost normal to a grating mouse-like screech. At moments he sounds like an animated barnyard animal who, granted the power of voice, immediately bursts into song. While Smith’s voice is unique, it also has a novel quality to it. Unless you’re in the right mood, Brother Is To Son can easily drift from amusing to annoying within the first few tracks.
-Jesse Cataldo
