Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. Under The Radar
    Oct 26, 2010
    60
    This one's also wonderfully textured--distant samples, squeaky kick pedals, rattling snares, the guitars and vocals in a reverb fight, instrument cables in need of soldering....If that sounds like your kind of (fizzle and) pop, you know what to do. [Fall 2010, p.69]
  2. Public Strain is front-loaded with some of the more patience-testing tunes, but stick with it to discover some astonishing beauties.

Awards & Rankings

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Nov 12, 2010
    10
    This is not just one of the best albums of the year, it is one of the best of the decade. It is beautiful and horrifying in equal measure. IfThis is not just one of the best albums of the year, it is one of the best of the decade. It is beautiful and horrifying in equal measure. If Women come up with a pretty,transcendent melody, they don't just play it- they flog it, push it around, drag it through the mud. I do not like abrasive sounding music, but the songs Women play cannot be imagined in any other form. But forget the whole 'Wow it's a Sonic Assault!' angle, it's the songwriting. Eyesore twists and turns and ambles until it breaks into a run- it's a beautiful, strange song that deserves at least one listen from everyone. Heart Distraction, Locust Valley and Narrow with the hall are the other immediately affecting songs. Pitchfork gave it an 8.0 (pretty low for this kind of a record) and didn't bnm it. A bnm would have really helped these guys get more attention. But they're doing pretty well. Buy the album. It is the best one you'll here this year. Full Review »
  2. Jun 16, 2022
    9
    This album is one of the best of the decade. Public Strain is a near perfect album. I love this album. I wish this was not their last.This album is one of the best of the decade. Public Strain is a near perfect album. I love this album. I wish this was not their last. Highlights: "Can't You See", "Eyesore", "Heat Distraction" Full Review »
  3. Dec 22, 2020
    10
    I got to know this album almost a decade after its release. But it was in perfect circumstances, since we were all locked inside our homes.I got to know this album almost a decade after its release. But it was in perfect circumstances, since we were all locked inside our homes. This album hits perfectly, giving a cruel sense of isolation, bitter-sweetness and overall some kind of "public strain". It's a terrific record and one of my instant favourites. Been listening for months and the seamless transition from what sounds like a fork scratching restlessly a plate into something that reminds me of an orchestra gracefully getting in tune as seen in the opening track "can't you see" always touches me the same way every time. Full Review »