Artist: Brother Danielson
Album: Brother is to Son
Label: Secretly Canadian
Tracks: 10
Length: 47:04
Review by: Mike “Rubbernecker” Leech

Whenever a new audience is confronted with the music of Daniel Smith, they are immediately challenged to first, figure out what in the world is going on, and then, try and struggle to keep up. Come to think of it, even when you’ve been listening to the guy for the greater part of a decade, this is still the case more often than not. Whether through the incarnations of Brother Danielson, The Danielson Famile, Tri-Danielson or just plain ole Danielson, his music has always been simply what it is and nothing more. Smith could never be accused of catering to a certain audience at the expense of his art, and Brother is to Son is yet another reminder of why this is such a blessing.

Those hoping to hear a rehash of the pristine, mechanical pop found on Fetch the Compass Kids might find this album a little disappointing. Those hoping to hear more of the kooky but clever sing-a-long ditties found on Alpha and Omega may also feel a little let down. Those hoping for a new and brilliant elevation of the Danielson sound, however, will be pleasantly surprised. Brother is to Son is easily one of Daniel Smith’s most refined, introspective and, dare I say, mature offerings to date. This record finds Smith as comfortable as he’s ever been with his music and himself.

Throwing caution and traditional song structures to the wind, Br. Danielson fills his album with breezy, shape-shifting anthems built on deliberate acoustic strumming, subtle banjo plucks (courtesy of Sufjan Stevens) and hurried, off the cuff drums. The music is extremely unpredictable in a delightfully organic and carefree sort of way. Rarely does a track’s conclusion sound at all like its introduction. When it comes to vocals, Smith also takes quite a few more chances than he has in the past. Rather than tweaking and polishing his signature squeal, it is instead stripped bare and left noticeably unproduced. This can be a good thing and a bad thing (some of his notes aren’t exactly nailed), but more often than not “good” as his harmonies have never sounded so breathtaking and genuine.

Brother is to Son is filled to the brim with songs that Danielson enthusiasts will undoubtedly hail as instant classics. “Things Against Stuff” is a charmingly hyperactive stab at our nation’s materialistic nature. “Animal in Every Corner” showcases a chug-a-chug country rhythm and an infectiously grating chorus. “Daughters Will Tune You” is flat out one of best and most beautiful songs I’ve heard all year and helps to set the hushed and introspective tone of the majority of Brother is to Son. The building epic “Sweet Sweeps” follows suit, as does “Perennial Wine” sounding more like an Ugly Casanova or Damien Jurado tune than a Daniel Smith original. “Hammers Sitting Still” boasts a perfect melody and some of the most personal lyrics Smith has ever penned. And the album closer “Brother: Son” nearly tops it all with a delightfully triumphant and worshipful chorus lovingly delivered by the rest of the Danielson Famile.

This is not Daniel Smith’s strangest, silliest or even catchiest album yet, but it is quite possibly his best. The warm and engrossing music of Brother is to Son probably won’t blow anyone away at first, but be warned... When it finally hits you, you’ll be knocked out cold. It’s a rare thing when a record can actually reinforce one’s love for life, art and God, but this one somehow pulls it off. If the Music Director position is still available up in Heaven, Daniel Smith would be wise to include Brother is to Son with his resumé.