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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Weirdness and the Glory!, March 6, 2001
Tri-Danielson--Omega is Part Two of a spiritual double-shot by the Danielson Famile (Part One was called "Alpha"), America's quirkiest and most original "Christian" rockers. Yes, they are devoted Christians, but the music the Danielsons make does not require you to be of a specific faith, nor does it any way shove their beliefs down your throat. Instead, the Famile concentrate on making fantastically original music that couches their faith in allegories, odd tales and sometimes flat-out strange musical compositions that keep you guessing. They sound like a folk band gone mad at times, and like inspired art rockers at others. There is little precedent for their style; some of the music resembles the cartoon oddity of early Ween (who curiously come from the same part of the country!) or The Pixies, some of it sounds like songs from a WAY off Broadway musical. "Idiot Boksen," an incredibly catchy, childlike song about the perils of watching too much TV, is simply glorious and irresistable. "Thanx to Noah" is hypnotic in an indescribable way; the martial drums and almost punkish acoustic guitars, plus the way the track is mixed, will really get under your skin--in a good way. In fact, the track is ABOUT what's under your skin. "Guilt Scouting" employs a 3-note electric guitar riff and nicely-thunked bells to produce a strange track. Let it also be said that Daniel Smith is a most unconventional singer; he has one of the highest falsetto voices you've ever heard. It takes getting used to, and if you're a conservative listener, it can grate at times; but if you like pure passion and you can adapt to Daniel's delivery, you'll find it to be utterly compelling and enchanting after awhile. It's a voice that's full of character and whimsy. "Don't You Be The Judge" is like a kooky campground sing-along which plays with words and the whole "call-and-response" concept; its folkie sound gives way to a bit of unexpected, crunching, Ween-like weirdness at the end which personally made me grin from ear to ear. This is one unpredictable, creative group! And the unified 3-part suite "Deeper Than My Government" is an honest-to-God masterpiece. Beginning with the motif of a sampled police whistle or something, and a catchy strummed acoustic guitar, the piece builds and flows, adding on the youthful harmonies of the younger Danielson siblings, and several different musical motifs that create a mood of deeply soulful, melancholy contemplation of what matters most in life. "Never forget where you came from" Daniel sings over and over near the end, and if you've made it through the album this far, you'll never forget what you've heard. It does no disservice to this group to say that they simply aren't for everyone. This is dramatic, unpredictable, eccentric music that requires an open mind and open ears. If you've got those, prepare yourself for the weirdness and the glory that epitomize the Danielson Family. You'll laugh, you'll raise your eyebrows, you'll get chills, your jaw will drop. Personally, I love these folks, and I'll take them over 90% of the "contemporary" music I hear these days. They're passionate and original; what more do you want?
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Zappa and Beafheart would be proud..oh and Jesus too!, April 8, 2000
This is alternative music. A music term that lost it's meaning when the alternative became the mainstream is defined again by music like this. It is almost too alternative to be alternative. Call it avante-pop! Believe it or not, Spin magazine gave this disc a great write up. It has been difficult for artists that happen to be christians to break through to the secular market, even if Sixpence None The Richer have recently succeeded. Remarkably, this record is more focused on it's christian foundation than the Sixpence disc and still finds a way to avoid sounding preachy to the non-christian. The christians will appreciate the messages and those that don't care for religeous content to be in their music will find the disc fresh enough that they won't mind them. Often the messages are delivered in a fashion that is so campy, it is cool. (ie. Pottymouth from <Alpha>)As you may have guessed, I listen to christian and secular music. I will admit that from strictly artistic perspective, I, generally, find my secular music to be more accomplished. However, (Alpha) and (Omega) along with Caedmon's Call's "40 Acres" and Starflyer 59's "The Fashion Focus" are among the best discs in alternative (or whatever you want to call it) in the past 2 years.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Danielson Famile is still breaking musical boundaries, December 3, 1999
First, Danielson Famile is not for everyone. In fact, even I with and open mind, had a very difficult time understanding and enjoying the first Danielson album ("A Prayer For Every Hour"), but the more I listened, the more it grew on me. Their second album, "Tell Another Joke..." blew me away. Now, "Tri-Danielson" Parts 1 & 2 display the musical and spiritual genius of Daniel Smith and his brothers and sisters. Imagine acoustic guitars, Fisher-Price toy pianos, bongos, kazoos, samples and loops along with humorous, yet spiritualy intense lyrics... that is Danielson Family. Beck meets the Beastie Boys meets Jane's Addiction meets Willie Nelson meets Veggie Tales meets Neil Young at Church camp. Nothing else like it!
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~ Danielson
~ Danielson Famile
~ Danielson Famile
by Danielson Famile 
