Owen Ashworth (from Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) has a new band, Advance Base, and their debut album, A Shut-In's Prayer, is a mood you put on the headphones for. It is so otherworldly that you feel like you are in a short story written by a loving Raymond Carver, who cherishes his wife,daughter, friends, memories, and writes from experience. Its sad, ecstatic story-telling feels like a book in your hands, with uncanny details of a lifemore real than real. His love stories are simple and sincere. "On Christmas in Oakland we had a fling / youlooked like an angel who lost her wings / with stars in our eyes lying onmattress springs / we were beaming." This is what I look for in poetry–big emotion handled with respect. Listening to these songs makes you want to take your poems and hop on the electric piano and finally start singing; makes you want to go on a day trip with the girl you like and turn it into a short story; makes you want to quit your loud rock band and go quiet so that words can be all; makes you want to learn the piano so you can teach your kids one day; and it makes you want to take the day off to listen to music (an Owen Ashworth afternoon)because you are mad there used to be a time when music was the most important thing (stillis). This album is a circle on repeat; a mood to enter; words from a caring friend; memories of the girl you like; and proof that direct emotion never tires or stales.