as the title may suggest, the band women has no women in it whatsoever.
women were an indie rock band active from 2007-2012 from calgary, alberta, formed by brothers patrick and matthew flegel (guitar/vocals and bass/vocals respectively), michael wallace (drums), and christopher reimer (guitar/vocals). they released only two albums and remained quite obscure, but were critically acclaimed for their eclectic post-punk/math rock/i don’t even know sound. unfortunately, internal tensions tore them apart. they broke up after a literal onstage fistfight in 2010, and disbanded for good after christopher reimer passed away in 2012. r.i.p.
women were competing among the likes of MGMT, vampire weekend, and fleet foxes, around the time ‘indie’ ironically began to have more mainstream appeal. indie rock was shifting into something more like homespun pop with an emphasis on simpler melodies and better production. but women rejected that. with their complex songwriting and strict DIY ethics, women really represent what indie rock could have been in the late 2000s.
“Heat Distraction” is one of their more well-known songs from their 2010 album public strain. the part that immediately jumps out is the odd time signature. the main squealing riff is in 13/8 time, and the verse is in 5/4, which gives it a restless feel. it doesn’t settle into 4/4 until late in the song. the way these time signatures are executed feels rather slint-like: shifts that are natural but noticeable. so while it has a bouncy, energetic melody, it’s never quite resolved, and that makes it weirdly replayable.
however, there isn’t much going for the cryptic lyrics and mumbly vocals. it’s not the focal point of the song, and this would’ve probably been better as an instrumental track. but the way each instrument interacts and moves throughout makes this song engaging. overall, a solid, inventive track with a couple minor flaws here and there.
