No One Listens to the Band Anymore

Funded entirely by fans, the Damnwells recorded the daringly titled No One Listens to the Band Anymore in Chicago with Neal Ostrovsky. Now the vehicle of Alex Dezen and Ted Hudson, the only two consistent members, the Damnwells represent Midwestern musical values that never go out of style, despite being birthed in Brooklyn. Dezen wrote the material while working towards his MFA and participating in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. This keeps the lyrics sharp, while the music is shaped by the downturn in official membership. The title track is a classic rock/alt-country-rock guitar romp. “Feast of Hearts” is a smoother mid-tempo with plenty of volcanic potential. But with “Werewolves” things turn somber with an overcast acoustic mood reminiscent of the Jayhawks and Wilco. Songs such as “The Great Unknown,” “Let’s Be Civilized,” “Death Defier” and “Sophia” invest in a rich melodicism that makes the Damnwells’ tunes go down easy. “The Monster” turns up the pressure to an unnerving simmer to keep listeners on their toes.