Indie Rock: Casual Technicians - Deeply Unworthy (2024)

67 / 100

A solid, retrospective indie rock effort; worth checking out for those into classic jangle-pop/indie traditions.

Casual Technicians deepen my lack of familiarity with classic indie rock styles. At first glance, this small band from Chittenango, New York channels the spirit of R.E.M., Pavement, and The Smiths, while adding jazzy saxophone and harmonica touches reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Saxophone has been a hallmark of the band since their debut EP in 2023. Deeply Unworthy is their second release, arriving in October 2024 after their self-titled debut album from February the same year.

With 17 tracks running just 41 minutes, this record is shorter in playtime than their debut. As I mentioned, I’ve never really consumed much old-school indie before, so my first listen felt rather plain—like a breeze passing by. But with closer attention, it turns out to be quite enjoyable. The highlights for me are the clean guitar picking, saxophone, and harmonica that bring back the laid-back 90s (and earlier) vibe of bars and beachside lounging. Acoustic guitars also make an appearance, though some songs don’t feel particularly engaging.

Across its 17 tracks, Casual Technicians manage to deliver a retrospective work that I couldn’t dismiss as easily as I thought. Compared to the debut, this sophomore album sounds stronger overall, even if it still doesn’t fully fall into my personal taste. Still, it’s recommended for anyone curious, especially fans of the bands I mentioned earlier.

Weakest candidates: Locally Hated, Everything Must Be This Way, The Ground Below, This Emotion.

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