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91None 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.
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91Ships is the best explosion of greatness yet from one of our most unique voices. [#20, p.100]
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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]
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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.
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The eleven tracks here are the most concise, effortless, and melodically conspicuous songs to come out of the band's camp.
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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.
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Ships is a brilliant collaboration of the finest indie minds backed by only the best intentions.
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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.
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80Sounds like one big, happy family get-together.
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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.
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80If you are a long time fan of the Danielson Famile... Ships will not disappoint.
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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]
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Smith's abrupt changes in tempo, volume, and instrumentation are alternately inspiring and disorienting.
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73Something 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.
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70An album as colorful as his stage show. [Apr 2006, p.96]
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Ships turns the usual joyous cacophony up a notch. [4 May 2006, p.57]
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70Demented, but fun.
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Ships is very, very, very good, but it's not always enjoyable.
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70It all unfurls more like a musical than an indie rock record, but don't let the dissonance scare you away.
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60Its music holds a refreshingly naive (if ridiculous) charm. [Jun 2006, p.110]
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60These rattling songs... feel like disturbing European fairy tales. [Jun 2006, p.97]
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60Smith sounds less joyful than usual, unable to reconcile religious faith with everyday hope. [Jun 2006, p.79]
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60It's awfully tough to categorize Smith's songs, which make for adventurous sailing over rough seas.
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User score distribution:
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Positive: 14 out of 14
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Mixed: 0 out of 14
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Negative: 0 out of 14
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KatieH10Incredible album.
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AlexP6I know it's an acquired taste. I just haven't acquired it yet. Worth at least one listen.
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DavidF8Pleasant.