Women

Women

(ESL)

Record Review by Kevan Peterson

The debut album by Canadian rockers Women, which is really all guys, was recorded in a basement over several months.  Their space rock, anything-goes mentality carries them through ten tracks, four of which come in at under two minutes.  They combine the disjointed but somehow melodic sound of Sigur Ros, with the weed-induced trips of Pink Floyd, all on a dime-store budget.  This album is not for everyone, in fact it may be for very few. 

The album starts with “Cameras,” a track that uses muted guitar, airy vocals and a synthesizer to dramatic effect.  It ends in literally one minute and bleeds into “Lawncare,” whose banging drums sound distant and separated from the melodies layered over them.  Almost everything on this album sounds like it was recorded on fuzzed out, distorted microphones, and it will either charm you or disarm you.  About halfway through this stoner’s dreamland, the guitars go to distortion and hazy melodies for a good two minutes of mind tripping.  The tracks change, but the mood stays the same with “Woodbine” which brings a whole new meaning to the phrase “Women drone on too long,” as very little song comes out of this track.  It’s more an experiment on atmosphere. 
“Black Rice,” the albums fourth track acts as the first recognizable song, in the traditional sense.  Simple guitar, light drums and interplaying melodic lines come together to create the most commercially viable track on the album, although far from anything you’ll find playing on the top forty.  The next three minutes are comprised of two tracks, which go from instrumental experimentation to harmonious rock. 

The entire album plays best from beginning to end without trying to discern where one track ends and another begins, running counter to our current MP3-driven market.  “Shaking Hands” marks the last of the formed songs.  The last three tracks on the album move in and out of melodies, at times creating moods more than melodies. 

Women succeed in creating lush atmospheric music, which plays best with the lights low and the mind ready for a journey.  My guess is their biggest fans are the kind who spend more money on weed than they do on music.  You won’t find them topping the charts anytime soon, but that can be a good thing.  Their music is raw, experimental and at times comes together to create something special.  They are the kind of band who has the potential to grow into something greater than their current state, as they have proved they are not afraid to take risks.