Last seen on 2006’s Ships, its been some five years since Daniel Christopher Smith (AKA Brother Danielson or just plain Danielson) graced the world with his off-beat and innovative music. All that, among other things, changes when Danielson readies his eighth LP, Best of Gloucester County, for a February 2011 release. Welcome back, famile.
Despite its name, Best of Gloucester County is not a best-of album; the 11-track effort features all new material and an all new lineup. While a huge chunk of the Smith family still makes up Danielson Famile (sisters Megan and Rachel and Daniel’s wife Erin), gone are percussionist brothers Andrew and David and childhood friends keyboardist Chris Palladino and basisst Ted Velykis. In their place, though, the lineup grows to include drummer Patrick Berkery (who has played for the Pernice Brothers and toured with Danielson), pianist Evan Mazunik (a NYC-based composer), bassist Joshua Stamper (a solo artist), Andrew Wilson (a composer and band leader), and some guy named Sufjan Stevens on banjo and backing vocals. If only you could replace your real family so easily. Update: Via Pitchfork, Jens Lekman also collaborated on the LP. More the merrier.
If you’re wondering, most of these guys are local players from Gloucester County, NJ, where Danielson has a studio, which explains the album’s title. Check out the tracklist below and stay tuned for more news and updates as they’re announced. Best of Gloucester County hits stores on February 22nd via Danielson’s Sounds Familyre Records.
Best of Gloucester County Tracklist:
01. Complimentary Dismemberment Insurance
02. This Day Is A Loaf
03. Grow Up
04. Lil Norge
05. But I Don’t Wanna Sing About Guitars
06. People’s Partay
07. Olympic Portions
08. You Sleep Good Now
09. Hovering Above That Hill
10. Denominator Bluise
11. Hosanna In The Forest
