There's always a sense of retrospection when it comes to music. Although one ear is always pointed towards new stuff (like Radiohead - more to come there), the other ear absorbs the past, whether through old favorites or, more rewardingly, gems that you missed the first time around. Such is the case of Rainer Maria. Despite seeing the above picture in a number of publications, and even skimming through the accompanying blurb, there was never that simple but essential kick that sent me to listen. When the band announced their breakup at the end of last year, I felt a twinge of regret, but no real personal investment. That's finally changing.
I actually heard the semi-title track of their final album Catastrophe Keeps Us Together at that oft-mentioned Midlake/Dawn Landes show, which was somehow a month ago. While there aren't DJs spinning, the venue likes to play songs between sets (a gap that can get really ridiculous...), and "Catastrophe" immediately grabbed my attention. It's anthemic, but in a very appealing manner, a fist-pumper that you can dance to. It's tangentially political ("the architects of the war/are handing out the swords"), but intensely personal. It's just good. The album's second track, "Life of Leisure" might even be better. Unfortunately, I can't comment too much on the rest of the album, as it's hard to get past such a strong one-two punch, but this is a band that I'll definitely have to listen to more. Fingers crossed for a reunion tour.
MP3: Rainer Maria - Catastrophe
MP3: Rainer Maria - Life of Leisure
MySpace: Rainer Maria
Official Site: Rainer Maria
2 comments:
Hey Roland. I was at Rainer Maria's Farewell show at Bowery. It was pretty fantastic! I hope you (and me) get to see them.....
You should check out the new band Kyle's playing with (he was the guitarist in Rainer). They're called Balthrop, Alabama . . . www.balthropalabama.com . . .
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