Customer Reviews
The Beginning of Radiohead... 
2008-06-25
... as we know them today.
As a longtime Radiohead fan (one of my 3 favorite groups), I thought I'd finally start reviewing some of their albums. Looking at them comparatively with each other and as albums on their own right.
I start with the Bends because this is the album that really made Radiohead who they are. Previous to this album, Radiohead was going to be a one-hit wonder. Thom Yorke didn't want that, so they put out what is probably one of the best albums of the 90's. Unlike later Radiohead albums, The Bends is a straight out rock/alternative album. There isn't anything terribly complex about it in terms of accessibility, although the song writing does show the greatness that has evolved over the years. I think the accessibility of this album is what really made Radiohead a popular band. It is also what is responsible for the loss of fans that followed with the release of albums like Kid A and Amnesiac later on down the road.
Songs like The Bends, My Iron Lung, and Black Star are rockers not unlike Creep. High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees are ballad like rock songs that were stereotypical of the genre. What made the Bends stand out though was the creativity in the lyrics, the symbolism that isn't always present in the stereotypical rock album. Add to that the musicianship that while not unlike the popular alternative and rock albums of the time, started to demonstrate the talents of the musicians, especially Johnny Greenwood (whom has only become better with time).
The Bends really is a great album. It's a great album for the fan of the 90's alternative rock as it has almost a grunge like sound (although by a British band) that stretches beyond that sub-genre. It's a great album if you are a newer fan of Radiohead and you want to see where they came from. Again, it is probably Radiohead's most accessible album, so it is really an album that almost any fan of rock or alternative rock music would enjoy even if they are not a fan of the Radiohead of today.
Radiohead's finest hour 2008-06-05
I am guessing millions of more people will buy this album in the coming decades.The sound of this album explains just the basis of Radiohead's sound structure.What is amazing about Radiohead and often overlooked is how unyielding the sound truly is if you try to mimic it. I cannot think of one cover of any song on this album I'd give a second listen. It is just too difficult to gain inspiration from and procreate. Getting on now. Fake Plastic Trees. It is my favourite song by this band. I don't know how he does it. It is very difficult to sing when the song isn't playing and there is such "major key tonality" and a driven rock structure approach that the band and the vocalist assume that it truly owns the record. The Bends, title track, keeps your faith vested but isn't an instant classic. "High and Dry" is sometimes the "best thing to happen to you" My Iron Lung, you will love. "I wish I was" is the "how to disappear completely" of this record, excellent shower alone music. "Bones" makes me miss the 90's with a precussion.
Disclaimer - I don't understand what they are singing about 100% of the time and I don't want to because the guitar obstructs any possity to reign on the bends.
This Is The Best Radiohead Album! 2008-05-27
There...I've said it. The Radiohead-heads are going to come after me for this but this is far better than "OK Computer". I've never quite been able to get into that one aside from a few songs. Maybe it's because it's not very accessible that the diehard fans foam at the mouth over "OK Computer". Enough about that CD though. "The Bends" is fantastic. "High and Dry" is the hit but the title track, "Fake Plastic Trees", "Planet Telex" and "Just" are all simply fantastic. Thom Yorke's vocals are so much stronger on here than on...oops! I forgot I was through talking about that other CD. Anyway if you are new to Radiohead start here and if you like then give that other CD a try.
Classic 2008-05-16
A classic product in a complete package. It truly doesn't get any better than this. If you want soup-to-nuts Radiohead, this is the place. Would recommend you jump on this right away.
The last great rock album (well almost). 2008-04-11
In reading some of the reviews of this album I must say I am amused. It seems like most people are trying to justify their greater love for this record over OK Computer. Even more fascinating than that are the people completely bashing the band as a whole (a strong comment on their musical education and taste).
To address the first issue "Which album is better The Bends or OK Computer?" Is this really a necessary debate? They're both great albums, their completely different. One of the things that makes Radiohead such a incredible ensemble is their evolution through the years. They didn't just create a formula that worked and keep repeating it like most bands. Every Album is a unique expression of art, and evolves and changes.
If I was really pressed to pick their greatest accomplishment I would probably pick OK Computer, just because it hits me on the deepest emotional level and because its so sophisticated. Musically it is brilliant. Personally, I think it is better to think of their best ALBUMS instead of album. In that case I would say "The Bends" "OK Computer" and "Kid A" are their best recordings. Kid A took the longest for me to appreciate, but when I did it was astounding. I think people that love The Bends should stop trying to convince others to love it too. Its an amazing achievement and if others dont love it its their loss.
For those who completely panned Radiohead as a band, I dont know what you're looking for musically and I really don't care. You should go out and buy you're self a Michael Bolton CD, I am sure it will be right up you're alley.
All sarcasm aside. For people who struggle with Radioheads later albums it is important to remember that Radiohead is art, not entertainment. Its not always easy. Thats what makes it so special. While the rest of the commercial music industry is producing crap by the barrel full, Radiohead dares to create something risky and original. And miraculously they have created something beautiful and moving.
So back to my title. The Bends is the last great (somewhat traditional) rock album. OK Computer breaks the barriers of genre and therefore it gets a little hazy calling it a "rock" albul. The Bends was the last breath of life in a dying art form. If you like music that is interesting and moving, buy The Bends.
The best Radiohead album of all time. 2008-03-31
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More from Radiohead
OK Computer | 
Amnesiac | 
Kid A |
Pablo Honey | 
Hail To The Thief | 
I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings |
I Can Be Wordy: So I Won't, But Buy This CD 2008-03-23
If you enjoy post-punk "Alternative Rock," you cannot go wrong here. This album seamlessly melds overdriven, distorted hard rocking guitars with the beautiful melodies that ground punk into a pulp after it gave us the shot in the arm we needed, but faded (thank God) into musical history. This is far better than punk: After all, we get to have our cake and eat it too. There are more beautiful tunes here than I can count in my currently altered state of mind, but as a professional bassist I can tell you this: Get the CD. You'll be singing most if not all these songs and enjoying the experience! Alt Rock was/is a genre that requires that you know how to play your instrument! What a concept! We get brash but melodic (and tuned!) guitars and bass with tight drumming and gut-wrenchingly beautiful vocals. The songs are memorable but not in the annoying jingle-style pop "provides." This is real rock. And all this can be yours without having to erase the sneer on your face or even modify your attitude. It's a no-brainer. Grab it!
The Bends is the Best Place to Start 
2008-01-29
There are many very informative reviews for Radiohead's "The Bends", but I decided to go ahead and put in my two cents worth. I am not a long-time fan. I just recently bought a few of their albums. After listening to them, I came to the conclusion (as have others) that this would be the best place for someone new to the band's music to start out with. The reasons are simple. The Bends is one of the bands best albums, and it is indeed the most approachable. One of the things I dis-liked the most with "OK Computer" and "Kid A" was the vocals. The Bends definately have the most comprehensible lyrics of the three. So, Like I said, this is my recommendation of the place to start getting into Radiohead. If you like this one, then you can explore further, but be cautious.
The Bends 2008-01-12
Radiohead-The Bends *****
Bridging the gap between what was and what was to come, The Bends, released in 1995 was essentialy a transistional album for Radiohead. Released after the bands debut Pablo Honey, and the My Iron Lung (EP), The Bends sepperated a great rock band in the style of Oasis, with a Beatles twist from a U2 meets modern day Coldplay but better alternative band. After The Bends Radiohead would go on to release more alternative albums such as Ok Computer, Hail To The Theif, and as off late 2007 In Rainbows among others.
The guitars are still in full swing here and are still a mjor driving force of the band, Johnny Greenwood and Ed O'Brien just have added more effects pedels and depth to their playing and style where as before it was just straight up rock with mostly use of power-chords only. Thom Yorke has grown and devoloped quite nicely as a performer and became quite the endearing song writer as of The Bends.
Leaning more toward electronica then the typical rock anestetic on songs like the album opener, 'Planet Telex' and 'My Iron Lung' showing that U2 were not the only ones capable of trying new things and using electronica as a force in the early 1990's, infact I would argue that Radiohead did it better. Other places such as the almost epic '(Nice Dream)' with it's sheering guitar assault mid way through, and sedate vocals mixed with a classical string arrangement make this melting-pot of a track one to remember. Followed almost immediatly by 'Just,' a straight up hard rocker boasting one of the best song opening lines ever, "Can't wash the stink out, it's been hanging 'round for days,' you can tell from that moment on that you are in for one hell of a song, one reminicent of Pablo Honey.The second half of the album is a lot heaver and rocks a little bit harder then the first with songs like the albums stand out track 'My Iron Lung' which was so good on it's own EP released just before The Bends that was so good they decided to include it here as well, the already mentioned 'Just' and the fantastic 'Black Star' which is a little softer then the other too but none less powerful.
So while The Bends is not a stand out track in the bands canon or a defining one it did help to show what was to come and sepperate the future from the past and show a band that had growth. With not a bad song to it's name The Bends easily stands up against the bands three other giant albums, Ok Computer, Kid A, and the newly released but maybe the best thing they have ever done In Rainbows. Radiohead is one of few bands that I would reccomend their whole catologue, but they are simply fantastic, and even when they don't shine at their brightest, they still tower over most others.
Really Great album 2007-12-25
I agree, the most underrated of the albums from radiohead, I just got really into them a year ago, having listened to them for years since my brothers have been into them for years, but never really heard this album(which is surprising). I would definitely recommend this to people JUST getting into radiohead, for the main reason that this is kind of user friendly, but still has the hard edge of radiohead. And the next album I would say to a user to listen to is the new album In Rainbows...but let me get back to this album.
Every track is definitely rockier and just great to listen to loud..and I think the best tracks have to be The Bends, Planet Telex, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, My Iron Lung, and the beautiful Street Spirit( Fade Out). Each one of these to me are 10/10, but the other tracks are great as well. I think this album definitely should have got more recognition, because I think this definitely shows what they are capable of producing, which is meaningful, beautiful, and classic music.
Great Job Radiohead for sticking around and never giving into pop culture....well maybe Pablo Honey was generic, but that was your first album.
