Radiohead - The Bends - Album Review
- Juan Hernandez
- Aug 2, 2017
- 4 min read
For alternative rock fans looking for no gimmicks and electronics, this is probably the most accessible Radiohead album you're gonna find.
Radiohead has had a long history of changing their styles after their 1995 record, The Bends. Before Radiohead dipped into ambient sounds on OK Computer , long before electronic sounds on In Rainbows and Kid A, they were keeping things simple with a sound that doesn't so challenging to this day.
The Bends has a little bit of everything for everyone, from screeching guitar sounds from the brilliant Jonny Greenwood on songs "Just" and "My Iron Lung" to Thom's dramatic vocals on "Black Star" and "Bulletproof... I Wish I Was". While the album is their sophomore effort, they sound very energetic and excited, even while giving us the typical Radiohead feel, which is usually depressing. All the tracks display maturity from a band that was thought to be a one hit wonder. Radiohead sounds very comfortable on The Bends, and they do a good job at keeping songs tight and consistent with one another.
The album opens up with "Planet Telex", the track sets up whats to come on the record. On the track, Thom Yorke's anger worn vocals takes the stage, and it's a subtle way to start the album. My favorite track on the record "The Bends" has probably the best guitar work from Jonny Greenwood in my opinion. The guitar intro is filled with such filth that the distortion makes the track that much more infectious and memorable. Thom's voice ranges from quiet whispers on the chorus, to loud screams on the verses. The title track along with "Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was", "High And Dry", and "Black Star" all deal with love, abandonment, and anger. Most of this album has an aesthetic and a vibe that all feels well mixed together. The most popular track "High And Dry" still sounds beautiful as ever, and is one that'll make you sing along to the chorus. Thom Yorke delivers many stellar performances on the album, and a prime example is displayed on "Fake Plastic Trees" where his vocals take center and becomes the highlight or the song. The acoustic powerhouse "Fake Plastic Trees" is one of the more simple songs on the album that manages to leave the audience mesmerized and in awe.
I cannot say the same for "(Nice Dream)", this song still sounds as annoying as when I first heard it. The track has an overly simple chorus from the band, and it doesn't do much for the album. While this is a Radiohead album, change is kind of expected, and minimally here they try different sounds. One of the least intriguing tracks "Sulk" has a hollow feel, and Thom's voice sounds grand, but not in a good way. The track is kind of funny to me, it sounds like Thom is trying to imitate Serj Tankian from System Of A Down but with a British Kick.
The album jumps back to thunderous sounds with "Just". The track opens with a quick acoustic intro that soon turns into a mess of guitar screeches from Jonny Greenwood. The track has great dynamics that range from subtle verses to frenzied chorus', both Jonny Greenwood and Thom Yorke display their chemistry and genius. After that we get another dynamic song, "My Iron Lung". You can feel the tension in the song waiting to burst, and quickly Jonny's guitar work takes the lead once the chorus arrives. This song makes a prime example of shifting performances where Jonny and Thom exchange performances without out doing one another.
In my opinion, the most emotional track on the entire album is undoubtedly "Bulletproof...I Wish I Was". The track has a very dreary sense of pain and loss, this is also one of the more stripped back songs. Thom's voice sounds fragile and haunting, one can almost feel the pain behind his words, and to me this song hits harder than "Fake Plastic Trees". Heartbreak becomes the main focus on "Black Star" and it boasts one of more driven performances from the band. The intro begins out with piercing jangling guitars and soon Thom gives a story of tragic romance. The album already boasts a get streak of great tracks, song after song we get brilliant performances from the band, with that they are obliged to end the album on a great note, luckily they do. Do not be fooled, they do not end the album with a killer guitar solo from Greenwood along with Thom's signature high-pitched screams, instead they end the album on a somber finish with "Street Spirit". The beautiful piece of work echoes with minimalist guitar work, and dashing vocals. The band leaves the audience with a taste of everything, from killer riffs to dreary acoustic ballads.
It's nice to put on a record that doesn't sound so drastically different with each song. The Bends takes the listener on a ride through psychotic guitar work and painful lyrics. Critics who soon dissed Radiohead were soon proven wrong, the album proved they were not act that would soon fade away. The album boasts it's own legacy and holds a special place in the heart of many Radiohead fans, you would only be doing yourself a disservice not listening to the album.
The Bends
Released: 1995
Favorite Tracks: The Bends, High And Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, Bulletproof...I Wish I Was, My Iron Lung, Black Star, Street Spirit
Worst Tracks: Sulk, (Nice Dream)
8.5/10
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