Casiotone For The Painfully Alone

Casiotone For The Painfully Alone is the province of Owen Ashworth, the reigning bard of post-collegiate angst. On five CFTPA albums, including the latest, Vs. Children, he’s sung-talked about the broken promises and hearts of a contemporary lost generation, the kind of city-dwelling twentysomethings who think themselves artists but end up drawing little but a paycheck from mom and dad. His observations—about getting too drunk, missing the rent, returning home from the city, and disappointing the parents (not necessarily in that order)—can sting, and the minimal production and cheap keyboard accompaniment only heighten the emotional heft. This is music best appreciated by people with steady, rewarding day jobs. Come ready to say goodbye: Ashworth has said he’s retiring the band at the end of 2010 to record under his own name.

Updated 08/24/2010