Women – Service Animal 7″

What’s up? Today looks like another lousy day in Philadelphia. The forecast calls for rain basically all day. The same thing happened yesterday day too – it’s such a bummer. If there was anything that made my rainy day exciting yesterday it was the fact that my brand new copy of the new WOMEN album “Public Strain” came in the mail.

That’s right, Women have a new album out, and it’s official release date is today, September 28th! In most places across the web (like Insound, and Aural Exploits), if you buy the album, it’ll come packaged with a limited edition 7″ featuring two new and unheard Women songs. That’s the 7″ I have here for you guys today. So the only way it seems to get this one yourself is to buy the new Women album from one of those places I just listed. I also actually saw they were offering the 7″ with purchase of the new album at my local record store, so that might be your best option. Either route you choose, please keep in mind – they only have the 7-inchers “while supplies last”, so order carefully!

First up on the A-side is a song called “Service Animal”, and the guitar work is enough to make yr head spin right off your shoulders. Spikey, spiny, and jagged guitars cut at your throat for most of the song, which at times has both noisy rock and pop qualities, while a rubbery, fat and slappy bass guitar keeps the song in order. The guitar progressions you can hear in this song are absolutely flawless, and they might actually catch you off guard at times. No wonder that guy on Pitchfork said “When you’re trying to tell a guy at your New Year’s Eve party where guitar-based indie rock is headed right now, remember to include Women” (the quote is at the very bottom of the list). But yeah, it’s pretty clear what he meant. This song “Service Animal” illustrates that quote perfectly.

Flip that 7″ over for another highly enjoyable listen, this time with a song called “Grey Skies”. It’s funny though, because with the way this song sounds, the sky seems like it would be any other color than the dull and unexciting color of grey. It’s much more laid back and delicate than the A-side was, and this song would go somewhat perfectly with a stroll through the park on a beautiful, cloudless day without a worry in the world. Definitely pure bliss up in this track.

It’s odd – I feel like both of these tracks could have been on “Public Strain”. Maybe they just ran out of space or something, because these two songs are like the answer to that “…To Be Continued” feeling you get once that epic album closer “Eyesore” finally fades out on their new album. Seriously though, if you haven’t heard that song yet, you’ve been missing out. It just might be my favorite of the year at this point. Check out both of the songs from the 7″ below, and please make time for a quick listen of “Eyesore”. You won’t be sorry – trust me.

PS – Women come to Philadelphia on October 10th @ Johnny Brenda’s

Service Animal –

Grey Skies –

Eyesore –

My Rating: 8.5/10
Genre/ Tags: Lo-Fi, Indie Rock, Experimental
Service Animal 7″: Tracklist:
1.) Service Animal
2.) Grey Skies

Women on Myspace
BUY the new Women LP “Public Strain” from Insound – The 7″ comes with yr order (while supplies last!)