Public Strain


Public Strain is the second and final album by Canadian rock band Women. The album was produced by Chad VanGaalen. It was released in 2010 on VanGaalen's Flemish Eye record label in Canada, and on Jagjaguwar in the United States.
Two songs on the album are direct references to the artist Ray Johnson: "Locust Valley" is the name of the town where Johnson lived in New York. "Venice Lockjaw" is a phrase Johnson incorporated in pins that he gave away at the 1990 Venice Biennale. Johnson was also referenced on Women's 2008 self-titled album; "Sag Harbour Bridge" refers to the location where Johnson committed suicide in 1995.

Reception

Public Strain was released to critical acclaim.
Exclaim! placed Public Strain at number 10 on its list of the best Pop & Rock Albums of 2010, with critic Brock Thiessen writing that "Public Strain showed that rock'n'roll can still offer shock and awe." Pitchfork placed it at number 47 on its list of The Top 50 Albums of 2010.
The album was named as a longlisted nominee for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.
Gorilla vs. Bear and Tiny Mix Tapes ranked it the 31st and 77th best album of the decade respectively.

Track listing