Electric loops play as the backdrop to the poetic lyrics of Owen Ashworth on this release by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone. The music is quite simple, filled with synthesized beats and ambient sounds, while Ashworth speaks words that paint vivid pictures. His delivery reminds me a little bit of Tom Waits. The songs are quirky, and the listener not only identifies with the lyrics but enjoys listening to them. Many guest vocalists appear on this album, including Katy Davidson from Dear Nora and Sam Michens from The Dead Science. Usually something this musically simple would be a downer to me, but the lyrics and warmth of the stories won me over.
(Review originally appeared in the March 2006 issue of Skratch Magazine)
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