JOHNSTON, DANIEL – Welcome To My World: The Music Of Daniel Johnston

"...Despite the inclusion of a couple of rare tracks ("Lennon Song" and "Laurie"), this release is obviously positioned to attract the Johnston neophyte, and in terms of that, it fulfills the goal quite well. There is something a bit perverse about compiling the best material of any musician with such a truly non-commercial sound, but upon listening to so many of his top-quality compositions gathered together, the wisdom of the project becomes apparent. Encompassing a great range lyrically and musically, from the joyful frivolity of "Casper the Friendly Ghost" to the self-aware pathos of "Story of an Artist," the collection sharply brings into focus the impressive skills of Johnston as musical entertainer and storyteller. Still, it would be dishonest to deny that Johnston's voice is an acquired taste with its childlike timbre and prominent lisp, and his often ham-fisted pounding of the chord organ or vigorous strumming of acoustic guitar can be off-putting in its crudity. Although it i