Rainer Maria

Today's incredibly short entry focuses on a little indie rock band from the mid west that went by the name of Rainer Maria. Formed in 1995, the band who took it's name from famous german poet Rainer Maria Rilke are greatly characterized by their deeply personal lyrics and the tag team vocals of bassist Caithlin De Marrais and Guitarist Kyle Fischer.

Through consistent releases and constant D.I.Y. touring the band would make quite a name for themselves in the indie rock scene. With the release of 2003's Long Knives Drawn the band had it's first brush with crossover success when the single and accompanying video for "Ears Ring" became a minor MTV2 hit. Eventually the band would pack up from it's mid west roots collectively moving to Brooklyn and signing to a major. In 2006 the band released their one and only major label release Catastrophe Keeps Us Together and promptly called it quits soon after.

Included here are their first three (and in my opinion best) long players. They collectively illustrate the transition the band would eventually make from a more subdued sound to their later more anthemic way of songwriting. As always, if you enjoy these releases please support the band and your local independent record store by purchasing a copy.

- Daniel Marc Cafferty

Past Worn Searching

Look Now Look Again

A Better Version of Me

Personal album highlights:
Past Worn Searching:
- Always More Often
- Put Me to Sleep

Look Now Look Again:
- Rise
- Breakfast of Champions

A Better Version of Me:
- The Seven Sisters
- Hell and High Water

Rainer Maria performing "Artificial Light" from A Better Version of Me