Pitchfork

If screwed-up people are capable of creating great art, then are two screwed-up people capable of creating even greater art? Or do they just cancel each other out? It's just a matter of time before this question gets a definitive answer. Loopy goofball Daniel Johnston has found a new partner in crime: Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous. Apparently, Johnston and Linkous spent the week of September 14th holed up in a studio in Virginia recording an album that is said to "marry the like-minded qualities and distinctive styles of the two artists."

Judging a press release sent out by Johnston's PR firm, Fanatic Promotion, Linkous took care of the music and production, and Johnston handled the singing and songwriting duties. The album, entitled Fear Yourself, will hit stores in mid-2002 and is described as having an "eerie and epic" sound. According to publicist Josh Bloom, "Some tracks harken back to Johnston's earlier career with simple guitar and piano accompaniment, while others lean more towards the Modern Lovers or some large-scale, off-kilter show tune." Quite the melange.

Both artists released albums last month. Johnston's Rejected Unknown saw domestic release on Gammon Records, and Sparklehorse's It's a Wonderful Life was given the Capitol Records seal of approval. Both artists are also known for being a little bit-- how do you say this politely?-- troubled. Johnston's battle with mental illness is as well-known as Linkous's drug problems. Fortunately, both of these issues are largely behind them, and they can now move on to better things. Like getting crazy together. Oh, Daniel!