Daniel Johnston - Fear Yourself

Even more songs of pain

 He’s a man on the edge. Johnston’s skills as a singer-song-writer sit nervously next to his life-long struggles with a bipolar disorder that has at times resulted in Johnston being a danger to himself and others. Musicians love him, though: Nirvana, Sonic Youth and more sing (or sang) his praises. His illness serves as his creative filter, and this album, created with Sparklehorse man Mark Linkous, is his creative padded cell. There’s some cracking stuff here: Must, Fish and Love Not Dead show Johnston’s angularity intact. A great work of art hidden beneath a cuddly blanket of Linkous’ stifling production.

Coppertree | CTR-007

Reviewed by Paul Rigby
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