Radiohead is:
Thom Yorke: vocals, guitar
Jonny Greenwood: guitar, other instruments
Ed O’Brien: guitar, backing vocals
Colin Greenwood: bass
Phil Selway: drums
Radiohead. A band known for many things, for example their lead singer Thom Yorke's paranoic persona, or their 1993 hit single "Creep", or for their 1997 masterpiece "OK Computer". But Radiohead's main characteristic is that they change their sound album to album, and they come up with great music. They released their debut Pablo Honey back in 1993. It was on 1997, after the release of their magnum opus OK Computer, that they became one of the biggest and greatest bands of the world.
However, it was The Bends, released in 1995, that paved their way to greatness. This album is often looked as a great britpop album, the same as Oasis, Blur, etc. It is great, yes. But is this a britpop album? Hell no. Ok, there are some song that probably could fall in this category, but this is pure alternative rock. Radiohead's sound on this album is nowhere compared to their "pairs" at that time. Think of an Oasis song similar to "Street Spirit". No? Or something from Blur sounding like "My Iron Lung". Nothing yet? Stop wasting time trying to find a song that don't exist and let your ears be delighted of The Bends, one of the best Alt. Rock albums of the 90's.
Maybe you’re wondering “why do you praise this album as a classic just because it is better than Oasis?”. I’ll tell you why it’s a classic. Lets take a look to the songs. The Bends has 12 songs to offer, ranging from beautiful acoustic ballads (Fake Plastic Trees, Nice Driam) to heavy rockers (Just, My Iron Lung). And they are all a good listen. There isn’t any filler here.
For example, let’s analyze Fake Plastic Trees. This is a beautiful ballad that starts with Thom Yorke singing and playing his acoustic guitar. The song goes on, then drums and some “ghost-like” keyboards enter. This creates a dreamy atmosphere and, suddenly, the distorted guitars burst into and gets to the climax of the song, as Thom sings “She looks like the real thing / She tastes like the real thing / My fake plastic love”. Pretty emotive. Radiohead performing to their best, making this track one of the finest of their entire catalogue.
The instruments on this album are, as in every Radiohead album, perfect. The triple guitar attack from Yorke, Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood creates perfectly each of the sound a song requires. O’Brien and Greenwood prove they are excellent guitarists, pulling out creative riffs and always keeping the listener interested. Plus, every solo by Greenwood is amazing, always rocking off his ass. For example, “My Iron Lung” is a madhouse of distorted guitars and angst. Starting very calmed, with clean guitars and Yorke singing about how the band hates their hit song “Creep”, and then, Greenwood kills everything when he enters, making this song an obvious standout of the album.
The rhythm section is very good, too. Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway do a very good job. We can find some great basslines in “Bones” and “Sulk”. Selway does his job fine. He doesn’t stand out very much, but he is highly concentrated playing his parts. Surely, he throws some great fills in some songs.
Vocals and lyrics are one of the highest points here. Thom Yorke is a great lyricist. Let’s check out “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”, the best song of the album, and one of the most beautiful songs ever written:
“This machine will not communicate these thoughts
And the strain I am under
Be a world child form a circle before we all go under
And fade out again
And fade out again”
Poetic, emotive and genious, as his voice suits perfectly adding some falsettos. He can add some irony to his lyrics, even on topics like depression. On the title track of the album, we can see this:
“And who are my real friends?
Have they all got the bends?
Am I really sinking this low?”
Hilarious, isn’t it?
This is the combination of things that makes “The Bends” a true classic album. Original, inspired, emotive, interesting, and, at times, ironic, added to great musicianship done by the whole band.
1. Plant Telex 4/5
2. The Bends 5/5
3. High And Dry 4.5/5
4. Fake Plastic Trees 5/5
5. Bones 4/5
6. Nice Dream 4.5/5
7. Just 5/5
8. My Iron Lung 5/5
9. Bulletproof 5/5
10. Black Star 5/5
11. Sulk 4.5/5
12. Street Spirit (Fade Out) 5/5
Awesome album. Anyone who likes music should at least give it a listen. This is an essential album of the 90’s, and, in my opinion, the best british album after OK Computer. Morning Glory? What’s so great about ripping off The Beatles and the Rolling Stones? Get this: The Bends kicks britpop’s ass.
Recommended songs:
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
My Iron Lung
Fake Plastic Trees
Just
The Bends
