Pitchfork

Whacked-out indie songwriter Daniel Johnston plans to drop his first studio LP in seven years, Rejected Unknown, on an unsuspecting world this coming October. Johnston is probably best known for his indie-cred-endowing fans-- the Butthole Surfers, Yo La Tengo and Kurt Cobain (among others) all proclaimed his brilliance, leading to a major label deal and the excellent 1994 Atlantic Records release, Fun. This lead to some poor misguided A&R; guy being unmercifully canned, but hey-- that's the biz.

According to Johnston's promotions company, Rejected Unknown has been underway for some time and was originally scheduled to be released by Which? Records in 1999, but the deal fell through. The founder of Which? has now founded Gammon Records, and will finally release Johnston's record with a bonus video and new liner notes. You can see the aforementioned video, for the album track "Davinare," at the Monkeys and Robots website. The video ends with Johnston's head being flushed down a toilet. Where's Beavis and Butt-head when you need them?

Another aspect of the Johnston allure is his well-documented bout with manic depression. According to the press release for Rejected Unknown, new medications have allowed Johnston to deal with some of the more debilitating aspects of his mental illness. Shine on, you crazy diamond!

Tracklist:
01 Impossible Love
02 Funeral Girl
03 Dream Scream
04 Love Forever
05 Cathy Cline
06 Davinare
07 Party
08 The Spook
09 Girl of My Dreams
10 Billions/Rock
11 Thrill
12 Favorite Darling Girl
13 Some Time Spent in Heaven
14 Wedding Ring Bells Blues
15 I Lose