Danielson Famile

If greatness in music can be measured by the amount of people who recoil in shock after the first listen, then the Danielson Family may be the greatest band around today. Their music is a modern-day hootenanny, with leader Daniel Smith letting loose a series of shrieks and cries not unlike those Black Francis used to unleash during his more inspired moments (think "Crackity Jones" or "Broken Face"). They are indeed a family (with the last name Smith, not Danielson), led by Daniel Smith, who formed the band around his spirited preaching. A Christian band to be sure, the lyrics unabashedly profess a love for the Lord, while also decrying obscenities (lyrics include "zip up that pottymouth" while also encouraging you to "shake hands with that middle finger"), television, and anything not relating to Jesus or positive living. The selling point to those who may not appreciate preaching is that the songs and the music are an amazingly lively combination of horns, bells, jagged guitars, back-up vocals, and quixotic arrangements so full of conviction and original twists and turns that you would have to be some kind of a Satanist not to appreciate it.