Monday 19 March 2007

C.A.S.I.O.



I'm very much enjoying the music of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone.

"Casiotone for the Painfully Alone is the musical alias of 28 year old American film school drop-out Owen Ashworth. Ashworth began making music in 1997 after he realized that song-making was a far more cost-effective means of storytelling than film-making."

I like the idea of a band being an alternative to the more expensive art of filmmaking. And from what I gather his first few albums were made only on battery operated keyboards recorded onto a four-track, which certainly pushes the contrast with film to the extreme. His later stuff involves a lot more instruments, but maintains the lofi mood and saturated beats of before. And his voice is brilliant: sad and fuzzy, enjoying thick syllables and elongated sibilance. Similarly for his collaborator, Jenn Herbinson, on the track below, Scattered Pearls. That particular song mixes tinny electro-claps, hi-hat, snare and bass drum with a Europop chug, an Electroclash bassline and funny-yet-touching lyrics, executed with great charm by Herbinson. And best of all, very danceable I reckon. I haven;t played it out yet, but I will, i will.

This is what *emo* was and could have been: emotional (happy) hardcore. (doenss;t quite work but you get the idea).

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Scattered Pearls

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Lonesome New Mexico Nights

More free songs here: Daytrotter sessions

Finally, CFTPA website

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