Danielson - Ships

"...the Christian witch-hunt that has long existed amongst underground music fans." WHAT?

He's basically saying that when indie-rock people find out an artist's christian they usually become even more suspicious about the band's "integrity". My concern is this: He "can't find solid footing" but he still gets a 'B' ... shouldn't the grade match the commentary?

I don't think that "underground music fans" are necessarily out to get Christians these days. But I do get the sense that they're very quick to attack any artist who tries to share their moral views of issues. Everyone has a "yeah, yeah, yeah... keep it to yourself" attitude these days when it comes to music. Religion, politics, social issues: not cool! Simply identifying with any of these is enough to get you branded either a bandwagon-hopper or a mindless slogan-dropper. This is very much a new twist on an old attitude. As far as Sufjan Stevens, Danielson, Pedro the Lion, Half-Handed Cloud -- and by other stretches of the imagination, Belle & Sebastian or The Smoking Popes -- I don't really know if listeners are really accepting "Christian" artists more or if this core of artists has just found a new way to present themselves in a way that nonbelieving fans have found acceptive, polite and tolerant enough to render their faith sufficiently inoffensive. I suppose we'll see what, if anything, comes of this in the next few years.

First off, i thought this album deserved much higher (or lower, depending on how you see it) than a "B" (pitchfork's ryan schreiber gave it a 9.1, which is saying a lot! Sufjan's Illinoise got a 9.2 and was their record of the year). The arrangements are quite weighty/complex--and i'm in no league to argue music with stylus--, but i thought it worked. balancing bombastic with sparseness for good measure. lasty, for people who hate "christian" music, you're safe on this one. this is by far his least "christian" record; however, if you don't like childish, half-baked philosophy/religiosity, then i would advise not going too far into his back catalouge. If you didn't mind Sufjan's religious intonation on Illinoise, then i'd say you're fine. BadHairCut makes a good point though, it's not that we "hate" christian music, we just don't want to proselytized and talked down to like children. if you have religous opinions, then fine, i can respect that. but don't treat me like a moron and talk like you have some "wonderful" gift that i have no idea about--i would argue christians know the least about jesus, in my opinion--that can "change my life". anyway, it's a great record. buy it.

After a couple of listens, I wished I hadn't bought this. I couldn't stand the vocals, and just found it irritating. For some unknown reason, I decided to give it another chance, and now I'm hooked. This is a really great record, but it just requires a bit of perseverance. To really appreciate it, you have to give it your undivided attention. Turn off the computer, put the book down, and let this album take you in.