Fetch the Compass Kids

Danielson Famile

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 24, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Secretly Canadian
• ASIN: B00005CENQ
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,548 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

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

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Famile's Finest Effort, November 29, 2002

By A Customer

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars all aboard the gospel train, January 15, 2002

By	Cody Larson (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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".

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking, May 29, 2001

By	Potsie (Mecklenburg, NY) - See all my reviews

The most mind blowing psychedilic rock band of the new millenium is comprised of a nice christian family from New Jersey! If you like the idea of the Flaming Lips recast as Muppets you should buy this immediately. If you don't like that idea, stay away. They just keep getting better.