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    The Phantom Tollbooth 1997/Danielson Family
    Danielson Family — Tell Another Joke at the Ol' Choppin' Block cover

    Danielson Family

    Tell Another Joke at the Ol' Choppin' Block

    (1997)

    Reviewed by Linc Lefeiste

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    Label Tooth & Nail RecordsThe Phantom Tollbooth1997
    experimentalfolkindie rocklo-fi

    With their second release, The Danielson Family has managed to do the unthinkable: win me over. While their first release was very original and had its good moments, it was way too long and too annoying to be enjoyable. But this time they had an excellent producer in Kramer (Ween, Low). He managed to draw out the best in Daniel Smith while leaving behind the worst. While still bizarre and original, Tell Another Joke... is never annoying. The lyrics are at times humorous, at times very thoughtful, and always very interesting. If you wrote Danielson off after hearing a few seconds of his first release, give him another chance. If you're looking to try something new and original, check out the Danielson Family.

    4 tocks

    Other coverage for this album

    The Lighthouse November 1997Reviewed by Alex KlagesIt isn't often that truly unique music makes it into the market, or is considered to be commercially viable by major record labels. It is, however, a pleasant surprise when an artist who may never be a big seller is given a decent shot by a record company. Such a case is Daniel Smith, and his family band, Danielson. The biggest difference between this album and its predecessor, A Prayer For Every…7ball #12Reviewed by Jamie Lee RakeWith his debut, Danielson provided the Christian market with one of its most endearingly primitive albums. Some of his scattered mainstream airplay caught the attention of Kramer--not the Seinfeld character, but the avant garde New York musician--who also heads the New York City-based Shimmy Disc label. For Danielson Family's Tell Another Joke at the ol' Choppin' Block, Kramer is in the…Garlic Press #6Reviewed by scottwhat strikes me most impressively about the danielson family is the creativity and freshness about the music. it's strange and unconventional, not modern or punk rock, an alternative to "alternative". this can be scary for many listeners, fearing an adventure into a strange land. dan smith, the main danielson persona, has a unique style of singing, adding more to the strangeness. i think a good…

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