Hi, How Are You? Better, Now That Daniel Johnston's First New Album in Six Years is Coming

Photo courtesy Tim Broddin

Listening to Daniel Johnston records isn't exactly a social activity. His recordings, dating back to 1981, feel best suited for lonesome listening in a small room with headphones and a lyrics sheet. That's likely because Johnston's records sound like they were made in a small room with a pair of headphones and a lyrics sheet.

But with Is and Always Was, Johnston's first record in six years, that intense musical privacy may just disappear. Say goodbye to lo-fi.

Johnston's collaborator for the album was Jason Falkner, best known for his work with Air and Paul McCartney...not exactly stringers for Johnston's stripped down, dude-recording-in-a-closet aesthetic. But from what we can tell, the two styles met in the middle; the album's first released track, "Freedom," is a rousing Beatles-like tune, and Johnston's voice sounds stronger than it has in years.

But don't fret; the Daniel Johnston who sang about Casper the Friendly Ghost is still our man. "Freedom" includes lines (that will be argued as genius or child-like depending on who you ask) like, "You were my all / A poster at the mall / You took the fall / I couldn't call you anymore."

Is and Always Was drops Oct. 6 on Johnston's own Eternal Yip Eye Music/High Wire Music.

Tracklist:

Mind Movies
Fake Records of Rock and Roll
Queenie the Doggie
High Horse
Without You
I Had Lost My Mind
Freedom
Tears
Is and Always Was
Lost In My Infinite Memory
Light of Day

Catch Johnston on tour throughout the fall:

September
3 - Portland, Ore. @ Wonder Ballroom
4 - Seattle, Wash. @ Neumos
5 - Vancouver, B.C. @ The Venue
7 - Calgary, Alberta @ Knox United Church
8 - Edmonton, Alberta @ Meyer Horowitz Theatre

October
2 - Austin, Texas @ Austin City Limits Festival
13 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
14 - New York, N.Y. @ Highline Ballroom
15 - Boston, Mass. @ Paradise Rock Club
16 - Montreal, PQ @ UK Fed
17 - Toronto, Ont. @ Mod CLub
22 - San Francisco, Ca. @ Regency Ballroom
24 - Los Angeles, Ca. @ Henry Fonda Theatre

Related links:
News: Daniel Johnston Tours Europe, Hits Up Good Folk Fest
Free MP3: Daniel Johnston - "Freedom"
Daniel Johnston's official website