long knives drawn
‘With the fourth full-length Rainer Maria release on hand, the band continues to trudge forward in an ever-evolving sound that continues to show all of the ingenuities and poignancies of all of their previous releases.
Now that the band is moving quickly from amateur to master?s status, especially after the highly acclaimed ?A Better Version of Me? release, they are redefining the sound of the band. The instrumental sect of the album is still the noticeable Rainer Maria sound. It is the vocal division that continues to refine itself. The most noticeable change is the minimal existence of Kyle Fischer?s voice. To some it has always been grating and caused track skipping on previous releases. To those who have become accustomed to it, it is a sonic pleasure worthy of that particular track?s repetition.
Kyle has taken two steps back for this album, though. His guitar playing peaked in ?A Better Version of Me? and remains constant for this record. His presence is there, as a place holder, represented but without noticeable worth.
Caithlin De Marrais? voice has fully claimed the aural forefront as her own and Kyle has left the claim unchallenged. Caithlin has reached a level of comfort unprecedented in earlier attempts which allows her to belt out melodies that add to the band?s vitality. Like her bass playing, her vocal stylings continue to soar to new heights.
Being a female-lead band still keeps Rainer Maria in the minority of the indie rock scene. Although, sound-alikes such as Mates of State and the pop explosion of ?edgier? bands such as the Donnas creates more common ground for them to walk upon. This has never been an issue for RM, who has always found stability in forging their own path and the improvement in De Marrais? voice best exemplifies the band?s innovative attitude.
So, what has changed within Rainer Maria to provide a new edge for the band?s most recent release? Plain and simple, the lyrics are now in the dxefxbfxbdnouement stage of their soap-operatic fashioned intensity. Clearly, one of the most appealing factors of RM is the oh so lofty love relationship between Kyle and Caithlin. The album?s title alone foreshadows the post-breakup stages their relationship seems to be going through.
The opening track, ?Mystery and Misery? opens up with the lines ?Misrepresented, initially you looked like you?d looked like you?d been sainted but now I?m acquainted with your dark eyes and dirty mind.? That?s about as optimistic as their love story gets. Lines like the title track?s ?Let?s get over each other so that we can fall in love again,? and ?If indeed this was like our first marriage than you and I together can be like divorcees,? from ?Situation: Relation,? the album?s closer, only put the nail in the coffin for any more new uplifting songs you can hope to hold your significant other?s hand to during a live concert.
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