Is and Always Was

The underground appeal of Daniel Johnston is once again on the rise. In the 1980s his music and personality gained acknowledgment among a wide range of fans, including folk enthusiasts, punks, hippies, religious fanatics, and anyone with alternative leniencies for his confounding ability to capture attention with seemingly little talent. While most of the aforementioned groups have seen their end, Daniel has displayed no interest in quitting anytime soon.

Now he has teamed with acclaimed musician and producer Jason Falkner for the release of Is and Always Was. Daniel Johnston's past few efforts have seen a shift away from the haunting lo-fi recordings that define him and a step forward into the studio. This new album promises to be a valiant display of solid melody and production arrangements. Together, Falkner and Johnston have concentrated their talent and pop sensibilities into the creation of an album that contains the melodic dimensions and fundamental display of rock'n'roll music that no other Daniel Johnston album has to date.