All's been more or less quiet on the ex-Rainer Maria front since the divisive but unquestionably spirited emo outfit called it quits in late 2006. Would the first album-length post-dissolution peep come from charismatic vocalist/bassist Caithlin de Marrais? Charismatic drummer William Kuehn? Nope, turns out it comes from that other charismatic former member of the Rainer Maria triumvirate, guitarist Kyle Fischer.

Fischer has followed up his 2002 Polyvinyl solo affair Open Ground with another round of solo-with-occasional-guests recordings, Black Milk. The 11-track LP, which we'll assume has nothing to do with the Detroit MC/producer, is available for free download right now via End Up Records. (Donations, we should point out, are encouraged.) Black Milk boasts additional contributions from the likes of the Blow's Khaela Maricich, Mates of State, Owen's Mike Kinsella, and de Marrais, among others.

Turns out de Marrais actually got a jump on her ex-bandmates in the singles realm, having released a free* track entitled "The Fire" via End Up back in February. The tune will appear on de Marrais's forthcoming solo debut, My Magic City, due later this year. Catch her live June 6 at New York's Bowery Ballroom, and keep your eyes peeled for a special, limited edition three-song EP de Marrais hopes to have for sale at the gig.

Okay, your move, Kuehn!

http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/n...lease-sixth-lp

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=F_GPnnajafQ

god, that reminds me i bought open ground and never bloody listened to it! must dig it out, ha. ove caithlin's voice, could listen to her sing the phone book

I do that too sometimes. I just found Guero. It was with dvds because of the deluxe packaging so I think I listened to it once - maybe twice. But, it's kind of like finding money in a coat pocket.

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=F_GPnnajafQ

hah, it so is. luckily i found it handy enough and am now uploading it so i can break in my new ipod with it!