Albums to watch

Public Strain

Women

Public Strain

Experimental noise pop / psych rock on the second album from the Calgary act

ADM rating[?]

7.8

Label
Jagjaguwar
UK Release date
23/08/2010
  1. 9.0 |   BBC

    If you’re not quite there by the time Eyesore encapsulates everything that’s been wonderful about the preceding 36, turn it over and start again. It’s worth it, because Public Strain is one of 2010’s finest LPs
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  2. 9.0 |   The 405

    I wouldn't hold a huge amount of hope in it becoming thought of as a classic, but you never know because Public Strain really is something special
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  3. 9.0 |   The Quietus

    Women are one of the flat-out finest guitar bands around right now, and Public Strain is the shrugging, malevolent proof
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  4. 9.0 |   Prefix

    These guys prove themselves one of the most versatile and unpredictable bands around
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  5. 9.0 |   Rave Magazine

    One of the year’s best albums
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  6. 9.0 |   Blurt

    Public Strain is a further testament to the subtle sea change in the indie rock universe away from the precious and fey sounds of the last 10 years and back to the caustic nihilism of the good old days
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  7. 9.0 |   PopMatters

    Stunning, dueling guitars build a wall of sound that could only be scaled with the grandest of intentions
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  8. 8.5 |   The Line Of Best Fit

    Public Strain is the sound of a young band still exploring the depths of their burgeoning sound, and while there is plenty of prudent experimentation found throughout the album, Women still get it completely right
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  9. 8.0 |   musicOMH

    A curious, restless album but one with plenty of rewards
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  10. 8.0 |   The Skinny

    One of the year’s most rewarding listens
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  11. 8.0 |   Uncut

    There's is a commendably original aesthetic. Print edition only

  12. 8.0 |   NME

    We already knew that Women could aim for the head ... they can now bury their way down to the heart just as well
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  13. 8.0 |   Mojo

    Tread the line between discord and delight with deceptive style. Print edition only

  14. 8.0 |   Drowned In Sound

    There's nothing worse than a band you totally 'get', and VanGaalen is here to stop that happening.
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  15. 8.0 |   Spin

    Public Strain consolidates the clanging drones and subtly hooky flourishes that previously existed only as separate pieces
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  16. 8.0 |   Tiny Mix Tapes

    Women’s strength lies in their slanted approach to extreme melodicism
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  17. 8.0 |   Pitchfork

    At first listen, Public Strain is impenetrably cold. But deep down, beneath the blizzard of noise and hiss, something's burning
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  18. 7.9 |   Beats Per Minute

    Public Strain is certainly a leap forward for the band, but there are a few missteps
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  19. 7.0 |   Subba Cultcha

    Wouldn’t sound out of place amongst some of Sonic Youth’s late 80’s outputs
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  20. 6.5 |   Bowlegs

    Definitely worth listening to, but you are left with the feeling that a couple of better decisions during the recording process could have steered the album to higher ground; turning it into something very special
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  21. 1.0 |   No Ripcord

    Who really needs Women when we can listen to something else? Do they add anything? Are they truly that talented? The answer to those questions, and whether this album should be bought and consumed, is an unbelievably resounding no
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Women: Public Strain

  • Download full album for just £7.99
  • 1. Can't You See £0.99
  • 2. Heat Distraction £0.99
  • 3. Narrow With The Hall £0.99
  • 4. Penal Colony £0.99
  • 5. Bells £0.99
  • 6. China Steps £0.99
  • 7. Untogether £0.99
  • 8. Drag Open £0.99
  • 9. Locust Valley £0.99
  • 10. Venice Lockjaw £0.99
  • 11. Eyesore £0.99
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