When an artist you love passes, you're supposed to dive headfirst into their recordings. You seek out their classic songs, their deep cuts, you immerse yourself in all that magic, one more time as a ceremony. And then, at some point, you write something pithy on Facebook or share an obit. It's a rite that sadly is becoming a weekly occurrence. 

But when singer-songrwriter-artist Daniel Johnston passed away this week at the age of 58, I didn't want to his hear records again. Amidst all that incredible songwriting he was known for, Johnston had...