ALBUMs

In 2010 Owen Ashworth announced that he was retiring the "Casiotone for the Painfully Alone" name. Advance Base is Owen’s new moniker and The Shut-In’s Prayer is the latest fruit to fall from his tree.

This is a record that will appeal to anyone familiar with the former’s work, plus anyone who enjoys the music of eels, Mark Eitzel, Mark Kozelek and Sparklehorse for starters.

My usual complaint when such a fine record is spinning in the CD player is that it’s too short. The Shut-In’s Prayer comes in around the 35 minute mark so either get it on vinyl or imagine it’s an LP you are listening to.

The album sounds totally solo, with Ashworth's vocals like a slightly wired whisper. Owen, now in his mid thirties, comes from Redwood City California, and now resides in Chicago. Shut-In’s Prayer is not a sunny day record, more like a cold Chicago winter, which is not a bad thing, believe me.

Accompanying himself on his Rhodes 54 electric piano, the additional arrangements enhance the songs with gentle upright piano melodies and electric bass. A Shut-In's Prayer is Owens’s first full-length release in over three years, and was recorded at home, as well as using piano practice rooms at Chicago’s public library. These environments positively shine though on the finished article.

You can expect ‘Christmas in Oakland’ to be on a few alternative playlists come December with these lyrics “It's Christmas in Oakland, I don't feel a thing, rode our bikes to the Chevron for Chesterfield Kings” … which will be nice next to Polystyrene’s ‘Black Christmas’ song.

Lyrics are down to earth; ‘New Gospel’ “you've been stashing all your empties in the neighbor's bins like the landlord doesn't know you’re drinking”

A fine real life record, perhaps a double album next time?

9/11
Pete

Summer Music

New Gospel

More Trouble

David Allen

Christams In Oakland

Riot Grrls

Goldfish in a Robin’s nest

My Sister’s Birthday

The Sister You Never had

Shut-In River Blues

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