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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Ships
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 23 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 19 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Secretly Canadian
Release Date: 09 May 2006
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Indie, Rock
Summary
The latest disc from the Danielson Famile's Daniel Smith boasts--in addition to a shorter band name--a whopping 34 contributors, including Sufjan Stevens, Steve Albini, and the members of Why?.
Also By This Artist: Trying Hartz
Also On Metacritic
FILM: Danielson: A Family Movie
MUSIC: Br. Danielson: Brother Is To Son
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Pitchfork
None of Smith's previous records-- and in fact, very few indie releases this year-- have flat-out rocked like this one, with blaring trumpets signaling snares to exact their force beneath sweeping multitracked vocal choruses that simply won't stop crescendoing.
Read Full Review >Filter
Ships is the best explosion of greatness yet from one of our most unique voices. [#20, p.100]
Under The Radar
Ships reinforces the fact that he's a songwriter of considerable depth and pop craftsmanship, and this album is his most ambitious and accessible yet. [#13, p.84]
All Music Guide
The resulting eleven tracks do not disappoint, striking the perfect balance between dissonance and melody with a backbeat that shakes the foundations of everything he's tried before.
Read Full Review >cokemachineglow
The eleven tracks here are the most concise, effortless, and melodically conspicuous songs to come out of the band’s camp.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
It isn't fair to Smith to imply that Ships is Danielson's play for a Stevens-level breakout, but the record is definitely an assured, ambitious follow-up to 2004's ramshackle Brother Is To Son.
Read Full Review >Prefix Magazine
Earlier efforts may suffer from a bit of kindergarten syndrome, in both the styles of singing and instrumentation, but Ships seems to see Danielson maturing at a faster rate.
Read Full Review >Lost At Sea
If you are a long time fan of the Danielson Famile... Ships will not disappoint.
Read Full Review >Tiny Mix Tapes
Ships is a brilliant collaboration of the finest indie minds backed by only the best intentions.
Read Full Review >Dusted Magazine
The hooks are nearly endless, each catchier than the last, and each song features a Technicolor array of instruments that create a perfect sonic version of the mildly psychedelic album art that comes with every Danielson release.
Read Full Review >Stylus Magazine
Smith’s abrupt changes in tempo, volume, and instrumentation are alternately inspiring and disorienting.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
Though considered an acquired taste... Smith still finds something oddly charming in his sprawling chiaroscuro of sound, and a sort of childlike joy in its execution. [12 May 2006, p.80]
Almost Cool
Something like the Polyphonic Spree might sound if they decided to freak out a bit more, Danielson is a whole load of friends getting together under the banner of having a good time and creating some enjoyable music.
Read Full Review >Urb
An album as colorful as his stage show. [Apr 2006, p.96]
Rolling Stone
Ships turns the usual joyous cacophony up a notch. [4 May 2006, p.57]
Drawer B
It all unfurls more like a musical than an indie rock record, but don’t let the dissonance scare you away.
Read Full Review >Spin
Smith sounds less joyful than usual, unable to reconcile religious faith with everyday hope. [Jun 2006, p.79]
Mojo
Its music holds a refreshingly naive (if ridiculous) charm. [Jun 2006, p.110]
PopMatters
It’s awfully tough to categorize Smith’s songs, which make for adventurous sailing over rough seas.
Read Full Review >Uncut
These rattling songs... feel like disturbing European fairy tales. [Jun 2006, p.97]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Katie H gave it a10:
Incredible album.
Alex P gave it a6:
I know it's an acquired taste. I just haven't acquired it yet. Worth at least one listen.
David F gave it an8:
Pleasant.
bill gave it a9:
magnificent
Bryan B gave it a10:
Extraoradinay. Made me get the audiophile bug and up grade all of my stereo equipment.
Andy P gave it a10:
Probably the best new album I've heard yet this year. Just the first four tracks are mindblowingly great, and then it just keeps going.
Alan R gave it a10:
Word. And I ain't even religious.
