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ONLINE 09-FEB-01 CD Reviews: rainer maria/a better version of me Mariel Tam Wisconsin-based Rainer Maria makes its sophomore album, A Better Version of Me (Polyvinyl), sound like the trio writes poetry and then sets it to music. In fact, two-thirds of the band met through a University of Wisconsin poetry workshop. This technique sometimes falters, ignoring melody for the words. In "Ceremony," slow vocals languish over disconnected music - that is, until the guitars get turned up in the chorus and Caithlin De Marrais' voice soars into the line "Maybe there's a ceremony written down inside the body." It also makes Rainer Maria appear pretentious and in love with their words. The chorus of "Artificial Light," the opener, sent me running to the dictionary. But then, a line like, "Why must this technology be an anathema to me?" has a beautiful rhythm that would be lost with something like the far more Luddite "Curse this technology!" And it's a relief considering the inanity of the typical modern pop throwaway. I don't mean to give the impression that Rainer Maria is inaccessible. Hardly so - the occasionally high-minded lyrics are anchored by earnest vocals that are refreshingly casual. De Marrais, who also plays bass, is no chanteuse. In fact, her slightly androgynous voice makes me think that even I could sing as well. And vocalist/guitarist Kyle Fischer retains a hint of a boyish Midwestern honk. But weave those voices together over powerful guitar and drum work by William Kuehn, and Rainer Maria is more than poetry thrown slapdash over emo rock. It all comes together on a track like "The Contents of Lincoln's Pockets," which starts off with Fischer cataloging the items Lincoln had on his person when he was assassinated. The female vocals interject and intertwine as he and De Marrais sing beautifully about, of all things, the death of a president. Rainer Maria performs at Notsuoh (314 Main St.) with Mike Kinsella on Feb. 16. - Mariel Tam - back - Search the Thresher pages: Enter your search terms: Copyright © 2000 The Rice Thresher. All Rights Reserved. This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu