The musical and spiritual journeys of the first ten years of Daniel Smith and his "famile" are well represented in this twenty-eight song retrospective. Mostly recorded with Danielson’s four brothers and sisters, this stuff is not for everyone – Smith veers from his normal nasally singing voice into an uber-squeaky/shrieky, annoying falsetto at a moment’s notice, so keep a steady hand on the volume knob when listening. The music at different times recalls the edgy folk of Frank Black, the majestic orchestral elements of Polyphonic Spree, the indie popsicles of the New Pornographers all battling the eccentricities of Daniel Johnston and Captain Beefheart. Occasionally, you’ll hear a childlike ditty that could have fit on Sesame Street in the ‘70s. And then there are the lyrics, which due to Smith’s 1993 spiritual rebirth, are largely related to his Christian beliefs. As a patient first-time listener, I find the wide variety of styles refreshing and startling. It is clear that Smith has a particular knack for arrangement, and if you can get past the quirks and don't mind the message, you are in for a challenging and frequently rewarding listen.

Danielson is playing at The Vera Project in Seattle, November 11.