I know bupkis about War On Women, okay? But I do know what I like and I like this. A lot. And I also know that in these trying times, it’s important to showcase artists who give voice to the voiceless and use their powers for good like War On Women do.
Following April’s full-length release, Capture the Flag, War On Women deliver a stripped down and captivating performance of tracks that mostly appeared on that album. And like a raw exposed nerve, especially as the mid-term elections approach, the songs presented here are even more potent and urgent than they were when they were first debuted on Capture The Flag.
“Touch me and I’ll fuck you up/Yeah, I’ll show you the meaning of fear” is sung so sweetly yet with such venomous intent by Shawna Potter during opener “Predator In Chief” and is a vast departure from the electric rendition on the full-length but just as powerful. “Silence Is the Gift” is an anthem in the age of 45 and #MeToo as Potter declares: “I’ll never, ever be a quiet woman” with Brooks Harlan’s swirling guitar riffs (Jennifer Vito bulks up the guitar section for the original recording) toned down but still hypnotic. Two cuts from the self-titled album (“Servilia” and “Glass City”) both fit nicely in with the newer material with Potter’s lush soprano delivery taking the songs to new heights. The original “Anarcha” is akin to a Bad Religion classic with drummer Ben Jones and bassist Sue Werner delivering a rhythmic ruckus but here, sans Werner and Jones, the track takes on a whole new life to close out the somber yet still exhilarating and uplifting EP.
Live At Magpie Cage (Acoustic) will be released on November 9th through Bridge Nine Records and can be pre-ordered now by clicking here. For more on War On Women, including upcoming tour date information (The hit the Sinclair this December!), head on over here.