Reviewed by Andy Shaw

The brainchild of Daniel Smith, Danielson has featured a large cast of collaborators over the years including the likes of Deerhoof and Sufjan Stevens as well as many members of Smith's family. Some 25 years since their first album, this New Jersey band continue to carve out their own sound that is hard to pin down to any one genre citing influences as varied as Bob Dylan, Cypress Hill, Sonic Youth and James Brown. 'Snap Outtavit' is a five-track EP released on Joyful Noise Recordings and is the first release under the Danielson banner since 2011's 'The Best Of Gloucester County'. There is an almost dream-like quality to this record, taking the folk music template and throwing away all conventions to transport you into a fantasy world. The title track begins the journey with vocals repeating the title over an acoustic guitar backing to lift you into this dream world, enhanced by the echoed female backing vocals. The next two tracks build up an expansive sound, adding layers through the synths and keys of "Dry Goods Dry Power" and the discordant guitars of "Pendulum Mania". There is so much going on through just five tracks that the more you listen to it, the more you will discern the nuances in the sound. On first listen it can feel a bit disjointed, avoiding traditional song structures and throwing in so many different elements but as a whole it seems to make sense the more you listen to it. "Who Hears Twell Van Dunder" closes the record, featuring children's voices and the chiming of a xylophone in what is the wackiest track and a fitting end to the journey through this fantasy world. Daniel Smith is unquestionably one of the most original talents in Christendom as this eclectic set demonstrates.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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