Fetch the Compass Kids

Amazon.com
The Danielson Family (or Famile)--you either love 'em or you hate 'em. If you passed on their debut, A Prayer for Every Hour (which netted bandleader Daniel Smith, big brother to the rest of the tribe, an A on his senior thesis at Rutgers), chances are slim to none that their fifth release will sway your vote. But if you've never heard of the Danielson Famile, they're worth a listen--if for anthropological value alone. Smith sums up the group's mission best: "The Danielson songs are from God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written through me." They're a Christian band, albeit one filtered through art school and indie rock rather than conventional ideology. Yet none of this hypothesizing can prepare you for their music. As children, the Smiths--all five of them--would join their parents for folk masses in the living room. The improvised jam sessions grew into Daniel's project, with his shrill falsetto (endearing? annoying?) leading the cacophony of flute, banjo, organ, and drums his siblings provide. Of the 12 tracks that comprise Fetch the Compass Kids, some songs are loud, others quiet. Aside from that distinction, the lines between each composition are blurred, and the album is best listened to as a whole. "We Don't Say Shut Up," with its "Hush, hush, what's the rush" chorus, could be a playground song--its lyrics are that much fun to sing--while "Good News for the Pus Pickers" is a whirling dervish of percussion and brain-piercing falsettos. God certainly has a sense of humor, and no one knows that better than the Danielson Famile! --Andria Lisle

Fetch the Compass Kids,Danielson Famile,Secretly Canadian,Alternative Pop/Rock,Indie Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

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Fetch the Compass Kids

Average customer rating: very enjoyable Thank you, Lord, for Daniel Smith The Famile's Finest Effort howling towards bethlehem all aboard the gospel train

Fetch the Compass Kids Danielson Famile Manufacturer: Secretly Canadian ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: A Prayer For Every Hour Danielson - A Family Movie ASIN: B00005CENQ Release Date: 2001-04-24

Tracks:

1. We Don't Say Shut Up
2. Let Us A. B. C.
3. Good News For The Pus Pickers
4. Fetch The Compass Kids
5. Rallying The Dominoes
6. Sing To The Singer
7. The Wheel Made Man
8. Singers Go First
9. Fathom The Nine Fruits Pie
10. Who The Hello
11. Can We Camp At Your Feet
12. Farmers Serve The Waiters

Amazon.com

The Danielson Family (or Famile)--you either love 'em or you hate 'em. If you passed on their debut, A Prayer for Every Hour (which netted bandleader Daniel Smith, big brother to the rest of the tribe, an A on his senior thesis at Rutgers), chances are slim to none that their fifth release will sway your vote. But if you've never heard of the Danielson Famile, they're worth a listen--if for anthropological value alone. Smith sums up the group's mission best: "The Danielson songs are from God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written through me." They're a Christian band, albeit one filtered through art school and indie rock rather than conventional ideology. Yet none of this hypothesizing can prepare you for their music. As children, the Smiths--all five of them--would join their parents for folk masses in the living room. The improvised jam sessions grew into Daniel's project, with his shrill falsetto (endearing? annoying?) leading the cacophony of flute, banjo, organ, and drums his siblings provide. Of the 12 tracks that comprise Fetch the Compass Kids, some songs are loud, others quiet. Aside from that distinction, the lines between each composition are blurred, and the album is best listened to as a whole. "We Don't Say Shut Up," with its "Hush, hush, what's the rush" chorus, could be a playground song--its lyrics are that much fun to sing--while "Good News for the Pus Pickers" is a whirling dervish of percussion and brain-piercing falsettos. God certainly has a sense of humor, and no one knows that better than the Danielson Famile! --Andria Lisle

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2006-06-26

This is the album that really got me liking Danielson. It's different but it is truly delightful. It has some of the most amazing melodies and rhythms. "Sing To The Singer" is probably my favorite Danielson song.

Thank you, Lord, for Daniel Smith.......2003-03-27

Daniel Smith is, to me, one of musicdom's most gifted songwriters. He is the true "punk" of punk music, the folkiest folk in folk music around, and has an itch for creating new, wonderful sounds, both original and sincere.

In "Fetch the Compass Kids," Smith and his gang nearly reach their fullest potential (I say "nearly" because I feel this group is genius enough to even go further, despite how great this album is). Thanks to wonderful production, the album sounds like the Danielson Famile is right in your living room, banging away on banjos, toy drums, keboards, xlyphones, and whatever other obscure instrument Smith and co. can get their hands on.

If the music isn't delightfully weird enough for you, try listening to the lyrics. They are as poetically unique as ever, showing Smith's gift for writing words as well as music. The two categories blend perfectly together, especially in cases like "Wheel Made Man," where the continuous rhythm and lyrics work together to sound just like a wheel (you have to hear it yourself, trust me).

But what truly makes me in love with these brothers and sisters is their sincere, no-holding-back way of being themselves. These guys are totally in love with Jesus and are not afraid to demonstrate their love through their music, lyrics, and even performances. Daniel Smith somehow retains a goodboy, "We Don't Say Shut Up," Christian image and makes it seem incredibly fun, weird, rebellious, and full of joy.

I'm not saying everyone needs to be as on-fire as Smith. What I'm saying is that it's refreshing to pick up a Danielson Famile album and hear human beings living the way they feel is right with no compromise. What an inspiration.

The Famile's Finest Effort.......2002-11-29

I would say that this is probably the best Danielson record. It is a bit more accessible than earlier albums, but no less innovative or challenging. The music and lyrics seem childlike and innocent, but silliness belies a sophistication that borders on brilliance-both musically and philosophically. If you give this album a fair chance, you'll find that the usual comparisons to Ween or They Might Be Giants are ridiculous; Daniel's work has more in common with Jackson Pollock, Kids' Praise, and Louden Wainwright III. Like "Pet Sounds" or the early albums of the Talking Heads, "Fetch the Compass Kids" oozes with creativity. But comparisons to other artists or pop culture phenomena fail to capture what's going on here. The music exists on its own terms and seems to have an appropriately supernatural quality. The problem with Danielson is that it is too hip/obscure for its own good-only the avant-punk with a Master's of Divinity degree and an ironic sense of humor can appreciate this fully. The rest of us can only scratch our heads and smile.

howling towards bethlehem.......2002-05-22

Danielson have made themselves easily the most creative project in the post rock music cycle, mostly teaming from the brainchild Daniel Smith and his brilliantly simple lyrics. The album, as all previous danielson albums, approaches many of the well-versed sunday school lessons with cummings-esque modernity--everything about this album is interesting and exciting. This is easily the strongest effort by the famile thus far, adding new dimension to their sound through the addition of richer keyboard accompaniment (broken pianos and pianosauruses).
4 stars are here given because, though this is a great album, it points towards greater music in the future--it is obvious with a simple listening that the famile is well on their way to establishing a new genre in post rock.
check them out live too--daniel wears a big tree costume.

honorable tracks:
2. let us a.b.c.
4. fetch the compass kids
6. sing to the singer
12. farmers serve the waiters

all aboard the gospel train.......2002-01-16

I don't care if god exists but damnit I'm glad the Danielson Famile do! this is music that reaches down into the center of you and makes its home there as if it always had been there. it's that good. You'll like this if you like the Black Heart Procession's first album or Tom Waits' "The Black Rider" or "Franks Wild Years".

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Rap Music

rap music

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