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9.0
15947
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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9.0
15948
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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9.0
16035
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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9.0
17164
9.0 |
Prefix
These guys prove themselves one of the most versatile and unpredictable bands around
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9.0
17352
9.0 |
Rave Magazine
One of the year’s best albums
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9.0
18628
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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9.0
19123
9.0 |
Pop Matters
Stunning, dueling guitars build a wall of sound that could only be scaled with the grandest of intentions
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8.5
16006
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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8.0
15693
8.0 |
music OMH
A curious, restless album but one with plenty of rewards
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8.0
15694
8.0 |
The Skinny
One of the year’s most rewarding listens
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8.0
15745
8.0 |
Uncut
There's is a commendably original aesthetic. Print edition only
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8.0
15804
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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8.0
15882
8.0 |
Mojo
Tread the line between discord and delight with deceptive style. Print edition only
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8.0
15919
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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8.0
17149
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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8.0
17279
8.0 |
Tiny Mix Tapes
Women’s strength lies in their slanted approach to extreme melodicism
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8.0
18497
8.0 |
Spin
Public Strain consolidates the clanging drones and subtly hooky flourishes that previously existed only as separate pieces
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7.9
17048
7.9 |
One Thirty BPM
Public Strain is certainly a leap forward for the band, but there are a few missteps
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7.0
16468
7.0 |
Subba Cultcha
Wouldn’t sound out of place amongst some of Sonic Youth’s late 80’s outputs
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6.5
15695
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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1.0
17147
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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