If you haven’t seen The Devil and Daniel Johnston documentary, find a legitimate way to view it immediately (rent it, as it is, amongst many other things, the story of truly independent music).  Johnston has suffered through and tackled as many internal battles as many great artists, mostly involving his fight against mental illness and the delusions that come with it.  Through all this he finds solace in his music; a sound as honest and vulnerable as you are likely to hear anywhere.  His new album Is And Always Was is an updated and re-imagined looking glass into the many shades of Daniel Johnston.  Teaming up with producer Jason Faulkner (worked with Beck and Air) gave Johnston the opportunity to take some of his classic demos and turn them into genuine studio productions.  This is indie rock, written and performed by an artist whose journey started long before Pitchfork told us what was cool (nope, not knocking Pfork by any means, I’m a weekly reader myself).

Art maybe in the eye of the beholder, but lately it feels as if too many bands and artists are simply trying too hard to be original.  They’re swallowed by their desires to sound apart, create something new, and the result can sometimes be music that sounds far from effortless.  It’s almost as if they are working too hard, concerned only with the end result.  Music is one of the highest forms of expression, and real sincerity can be captivating.  This is why I love Daniel Johnston’s music.  When you listen it feels as if Johnston has invited you into his crazy world, even if just for a moment.  His lyrics aim straight at the heart of his pain, his love and passion, and the musical result is magnetic.

Johnston with producer Jason Faulkner

From the playful, seeming ode to a fallen pet “Queenie the Doggie” to the twisted humor behind dealing with mental illness on “I Had Lost My Mind” (those who’ve seen the documentary will recognize this catchy number) you can’t help but fall in love with Daniel Johnston.  He’s goofy occasionally and sometimes very sad (aren’t we all), but isn’t all that where good art stems from?

“Fake Records of Rock-n-Roll” is a gorgeous stab at the overly-polished, soulless junk that passes for music these days.  Johnston may live in a basement without a computer (well, I don’t actually know for certain that he still lives down there) but he knows whats going on.  The sounds of  “Tears” make all the Brian Wilson comparisons make sense.  Johnston paints his painful lyrics with airy guitars and an island feel.  It’s great to hear some of his earlier works, previously stripped down songs, as finished productions.  Hearing these songs again in this new way makes his listeners feel like they have actually grown up with Johnston.  Hell, many of us did!

Love it or hate it, Daniel Johnston has the courage to simply go for it and worry about the aftermath later.  Thankfully, and judging from the overall sound of these works I’d say Johnston has beat the Devil down with an ax, and that ax makes wonderful music.  Like all art; for some it comes without serious thought and for others it presents itself as a real chore.  Is And Always Was doesn’t sound like it tried to get recorded.  It sounds like it needed to be recorded.  May the rest of the world discover Daniel Johnston.