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Is And Always Was

Daniel Johnston

Is And Always Was

Influential American songwriter and artist who suffers from bipolar disorder

ADM rating[?]

6.8

Label
Feraltone
UK Release date
05/10/2009
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  1. 8.0 |   The Guardian

    It's the extraordinary wealth of hooks that leave a lasting impression here: Is and Always Was is hugely fun and endlessly listenable
    Read Review

  2. 8.0 |   Independent on Sunday

    Johnston has now recorded the album he was always capable of, given precise production and due eccentricity
    Read Review

  3. 8.0 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    ...this is still the same Daniel Johnston the world has grown to know and love: still looking for love, still an unashamed fan of The Beatles, and still plagued by the Devil and his demons
    Read Review

  4. 8.0 |   NME

    Print edition only

  5. 8.0 |   Rave Magazine

    Johnston has finally been given the technicolour guitar pop arrangements he’s probably been dreaming of all these years. Forget ‘outsider music’, Johnston wants to be in YOUR gang
    Read Review

  6. 7.1 |   Pitchfork

    What's funny is that this might not make it a good spot for Johnston newcomers to start. This, strangely enough, seems like one artist where it might be better to hear the lonely, private stuff first, to see the sketch before you see the attempt to paint it large
    Read Review

  7. 7.0 |   Blurt

    ...this is the most accessible, least squirm inducing Daniel Johnston record ever... Jason Falkner has run Daniel Johnston's vision through a focus lens. The subject matter is still pretty odd, but you can see it better than ever
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  8. 7.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    Is and Always Was is delivered with the backing of a full-blown band, who vacillate between the straightforward stomp of ‘Fake Records of Rock and Roll’ and the echoey vocaled Lennon-isms and compressed Tim Gane guitar of ‘Lost in My Infinite Memory’
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  9. 7.0 |   Spin

    ...well-meaning producer Jason Falkner attempts to expand Johnston's appeal, wrapping his timeless, touching lyrics and Elmer Fudd-like voice in buzzing electric guitars and shiny keyboards
    Read Review

  10. 6.0 |   Mojo

    Print edition only

  11. 6.0 |   Q

    Print edition only

  12. 6.0 |   The Australian

    Produced by Jason Falkner, who has worked with artists as diverse as Beck and Paul McCartney, Is and Always Was is likely to attract new fans. They'll be in the company of high-profile devotees such as Matt Groening and Johnny Depp
    Read Review

  13. 6.0 |   Uncut

    Print edition only

  14. 4.0 |   Clash

    You need to be a believer for this stuff

  15. Back to main chart

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Daniel Johnston: Is And Always Was

  • Download full album for just £8.49
  • 1. Mind Movies £0.99
  • 2. Fake Records of Rock n Roll £0.99
  • 3. Queenie the doggie £0.99
  • 4. High Horse £0.99
  • 5. Without You £0.99
  • 6. I had lost my mind £0.99
  • 7. Freedom £0.99
  • 8. Tears £0.99
  • 9. Is and Always Was £0.99
  • 10. Lost in my Infinite Memory £0.99
  • 11. Light of Day £0.99
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