Rainer Maria was an Emo band originally from Madison, Wisconsin that eventually moved to the indie rock mecca, Brooklyn, NY. And yes, we have another poetry reference here (last time being Jazz June’s source for a band name...); Rainer Maria were named after the great Modernist master of Germany, Rainer Maria Rilke. From 1995 to 2006, the band released several Eps and 5 full length albums, mostly on Polyvinyl Records. What I love about this band is the dual male/female vocals, and for this reason, I recommend listening to the earlier material. Caithlin De Marrais gradually became more of the primary singer as the band developed over the years. My favorite release is the album, Look Now Look Again (1999 Polyvinyl); it might be the happiest emo album in my collection. It’s simply awesome. I really love this album, so I’m going to share several songs here. Check em’ out:"Broken Radio":
"Breakfast of Champions":
"The Reason the Night is Long":
Over the years, their music became poppier, more polished, and more suited to the indie rock culture of the time. If you like Mates of State, for instance, check out the later work of Rainer Maria as well.
Another great late 90s, male/female dual vocals Emo band was Jejune; they formed sometime before 1996, not sure of the exact year here, and they met at music school in Boston at Berklee College. I remember when these guys and gals toured through Tx with Jimmy Eat World, with whom they released a split 7” in 1998. That split was the first recording I had heard by these guys, but after their tour, I quickly bought their 2nd album, This Afternoon’s Malady (1998 Big Wheel Recreation), a release that already indicated a departure from a strictly Emo sound. At times, their songs are mellow indie-pop, while at other moments they escalate into loud, dissonant wails of emotion. The band’s run was short-lived, but they released 3 albums, all on Big Wheel Recreation, and several 7” splits (bands like Garden Variety and Jimmy Eat World) before disbanding in early 2000. This Afternoon’s Malady is technically the only studio album; both Junk (1997 Big Wheel Recreation) and RIP (2000 Big Wheel Recreation) were actually collections of demos that outlined the vision for eventual studio productions. For this reason, start with the sophomore release. Here’s the 2nd track from the album; it’s called “Coping with Senility (Lowlife Owns a Pen)”:They had a penchant for the mellow-loud dynamic; they almost sounded shoegazey at times. Here’s another song from the same album; it's entitled “Regrets are Unanswered Dreams”:
I believe they have continued to be active in various projects, but I am completely ignorant of any of that latter activity. Jejune's a great band, definitely worth checking out.
Jersey's Penfold
Penfold was an Emo band from New Jersey that formed sometime in the mid 90s; I’m not sure on the exact year of formation, but they were definitely active by 1996. The band released 2 albums, Amateurs and Professionals (1999 Milligram Records) and Our First Taste of Escape (2001 Milligram Records), and a 7”, Your Eyes Have All the Answers (1997 Hearts Down Recordings), before calling it quits in 2003. It seems like people most frequently compare these guys to Mineral, which means less Midwest pop-y-ness and more slowed-down, sad reflections with the whole “soft/loud” dynamic going on. Here’s the opening track from their debut full length, Amateurs and Professionals; the song is entitled “June”:
The song does seem like a more polished version of an early Mineral tune (a band I’ll post on later when reviewing Emo rock of the Tx tradition...). In fact, I bet these guys would like it:
At times, Penfold flirts with the cheesier side of Emo Rock, but they’re worth checking out, especially the first release. It's a raw recording of emotion that's both mellow and loud, a good record that anticipates what unfortunately becomes an overdone melodrama whose victims are the above lost souls.
Long Island's Garden Variety
Garden Variety was an Emo group from Long Island, NY that formed in 1991 and were active until 1996. They released several 7”s, splits (with bands like the previously mentioned Texas is the Reason and Jejune), and 2 full lengths, Garden Variety (1993 Gern Blandsten) and Knocking the Skill Level (1995 Cargo/Headhunter). Their 2nd Lp received much attention and praise, resulting in a mainstream music video and some media attention. The member, Anthony Roman, went on to record with the previously posted Rockets Red Glare; he also formed the current dance-punk/eclectro-clash group, Radio 4. I’m not a big fan of the whole “dance-punk” revival thing, so I haven’t listened to his current project that much. Here’s the music video for “Harbored,” the hit from their album Knocking the Skill Level:
Their sophomore release, Knocking the Skill Level (1995 Cargo/Headhunter) is a 90s Emo classic; definitely worth a listen. Enjoy and feel free to comment!
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