Calgary shoots and scores with the self-titled debut album from Women. Recorded by the Polaris Music Prize nominated Chad VanGaalen through a series of boom boxes and archaic tape machines in the Canadian wilderness, the sound here is of a young slacker band coming to terms with their Pavement and Velvet Underground roots. They have no problem at all surfing through dense ambient but uncomfortable soundscapes and post-punk caterwauling just to land on a distorted ‘80s indie or dissonant ‘50s pop vibe. Most important, they pull it off without ever sounding like they are in over their heads, a fate that claims many Canuck indie bands desperate for American approval. Fans of Deerhoof and the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s My Bloody Underground should be blown away by Women, and it’s only their debut. They have real promise.

• Multiple songs MySpace
• "Black Rice" MP3
• "Group Transport Hall" MP3