Chris DeLine

Chicago’s Owen Ashworth (a.k.a. Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) will stop in the Twin Cities in the middle of a 30-date tour in support of his two most recent releases, Vs. Children and Advance Base Battery Life (a collection of 7-inch singles released between 2004 and 2007). Now more than a decade into his career, Ashworth has employed his delicate vocals and melancholy electronics to earn a reputation as a unique indie-pop storyteller. His ability to complement his gentle voice with the sounds of his understated, moody arrangements gives his songs a warm sensibility that is rare among knob-tweakers. Ashworth typically takes a very personal approach to his songwriting, and the lyrics on Vs. Children offer a refreshing perspective, with many of the songs revolving around bleak stories about remorseful criminals. The entire package is powerful, and the listening experience is amplified in the live setting. With Cryptacize, Best Friends Forever, and the Danforths. 

[This critics’ pick was originally published by City Pages.]