Catastrophe Keeps Us Together

With CATASTROPHE KEEPS US TOGETHER, the New York trio Rainer Maria seem to have completed their transformation from an emo band to a straightforward rock outfit. Gone is the back-and-forth sparring on vocals between guitarist Kyle Fischer and bass player Caithlin De Marrias. De Marrias has vocal duties all to herself here, and she gives a smoothly focused performance. The songs themselves show a greater degree of variety thanks to a more dynamic sonic range and tempo.
The album still has plenty of punk and pluck, though. "I'll Make You Mine" is a standout, with as good a riff as Rainer Maria has come up with anywhere. But there are quieter numbers too, like "Clear and True" and a cover of Bob Dylan's "I'll Keep It With Mine."