Public Strain
by Women
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. No Ripcord
    10
    At its weakest, the album is merely boring with the lamely typical Can't You See, an album opener of distorted rumbling and vocals so low you'd strain to make them out. Arguably worse than a bland track is that the album actually offers some hope for a reasonably enjoyable experience.

Awards & Rankings

77
#77 Best Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. elduderino
    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. fahim98
    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. Emicito
    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 »
See all user reviews »