Danielson’s latest album, Ships, comes to us more than 10 years after Daniel Smith created the group as his senior thesis in art school. Since then his musical voyage has sailed through many monikers (Tri-Danielson, Br. Danielson, and Danielson Famile) and many albums, six to be exact. Over the years and at port the group has picked up its share of guests and cast-a-ways, all of whom plucked and played there way into becoming a part of and an apparently unforgotten piece of Danielson. Many such cast-a-ways (Deerhoof, Sufjan Stevens, Serena Maneesh, etc.) have reappeared or appeared for the first time on the deck of Ships, the extra skilled hands helping to make this album all the more beautiful and squeaky clean.

Smith wastes hardly anytime at all, about 20 seconds, before he gives the listener their first example of what life at sea with Danielson is all about. The lone acoustic guitar and voice on “Ship the Majestic Suffix” switches into full on pop-orchestration as quickly as the weather can change over water and waves. And the song itself, like the album, moves in waves – each crest of music leading into the inevitable trough. However, this comparison is not meant to suggest any mounting monotony within the opus. Instead the movement of the album creates and allows for moments of reflection, and, in truth, a breather from the sometimes crushing force of the crescendo. After all the next one is certain to surge up from the calm at any moment. This is apparent as “Ship the Majestic Suffix” ends much as it began, and casually moves into the head-bopping, hip-shaking album stand-out “Cast it at the Setting Sail.”

“Cast it at the Setting Sail” is full of undulations of its own, but the waves here aren’t as high and the troughs not as low. Instead, this song moves quick and steady, the movements and beats are choppy. But it’ll keep you on your toes dancing and care free. As Smith sings, “When life’s got your goat now/ By his tail and by his goat throat/ Lighten up and gather/ All those cares/ All those snares/ Cause who really cares…” The lyrics are a bit goofy, but who really cares? It’s fun!

“Bloodbook on the Half Shell” begins with a smooth, throbbing bass line and finger snapping that’ll keep you… Let me pause here to say that just about every song on “Ships” deserve mention, but in order to avoid being thrown overboard by my editor I must change direction.

With “Did I Step on Your Trumpet” we find probably the biggest audience pleaser on Ships. It stands out for many of the same reasons as “Cast it at the Setting Sail.” However, with its layered texture, large amount of instrumentation, and the call and response between Smith and his choir it probably draws more Sufjan Stevens comparisons than the previous song did. Nevertheless, “Did I Step on Your Trumpet” and the album in general do not have the same easy-listening qualities as Stevens. It is much more upbeat. Also Smith’s high, nasally voice stands out much more, which may unfortunately serve to alienate some listeners from this album.

So why isn’t this album perfect? Well, like Stevens’ Illinois, even though Ships is beautiful and artfully performed, its large amount of orchestration and experimentation may prove too demanding on the ears. And, again, Smith’s voice isn’t for everyone. Nevertheless, if you’re like me and an album doesn’t have to be in constant rotation to be great. Then you’ll understand why I’m ending this review with the last song on “Ships” – “Five Stars and Two Thumbs Up.”

Grade: A-