Rainer Maria

Look Now Look Again (Polyvinyl)
by Tim Den

Straight from the fertile indie rock/emo heartland known as the Midwest (anything between those ugly, urban coasts… except for that big freak named Texas), Rainer Maria brings its broken-hearted poetry to the rest of the world with both earnestness and optimism. Flowing from the well-sung melodies of bassist Caithlin Marrais and guitarist Kyle Fischer, songs like “Rise,” “Planetary,” and “Lost, Dropped and Canceled” capture the magic that can only be experienced on a trip through the Ohio Valley. Laid-back yet urgent, weary yet energetic, the tunes on Look Now Look Again bring the listener a slice of the Illinois farm lands; hard work, wide horizons and all. Listening to this makes me feel like I’m coming home to a warm cottage in the middle of a corn field. Gentle guitars, roomy drums, and duel vocals all of which adds up to another reason why you gotta love that Heartland vibe.
(PO Box 1885 Danville, IL 618-34-1885)