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Describing the group Listener, a few years ago, would have involved discussing two guys, a guitar, a macbook, and a washing machine; an explanation that would turn the head of even the most avant-garde fans of music. Listener has now evolved into a full fledged rock and roll power trio with vocalist Dan Smith playing bass and brass, guitarist Christin Nelson behind the monstrous musical arrangements, and drummer Kris Rochelle pounding the skins as if the ghost of John Bonham haunted his dreams. Read more on Last.fm
We all remember when we first heard mewithoutyou. This idea of taking poetry and placing music behind it was fresh and we liked it. Since then mewithoutyou has evolved into something very pure that reminds me more of fairy tales and fables rather than the raw emotion of old. But Listener has rejuvenated this forgotten genre of talk music and they do it quite well. With a few releases under their belt, this two man emotional ride blew me out of the water with “Wooden Heart.” Listening to this record and it’s foundation shaking words take me to a place that I have not been in a long time, and it feels good to return. You can feel this man’s heart and it reminds me of the music I fell in love with so long ago.