Reviews (page 11 of 14)
It certainly doesn't grab me as much as some of their other stuff but still a good album that probably deserves a few more spins. Certainly Street Spirit (Fade Out) is the stand out for me
Such a change after Pablo Honey, this is where they started being awesome
Yeah I mean it’s a p nice listen but I almost gave it a three cuz it’s my 4th fav radio head album
I think my rating for this is more like 4 and half stars. Soaring, moody, better than I remembered. I think this album suffers in comparison only to OK Computer, the later being a perfectly prescient concept record. The Bends feels more like a series of perfectly sad and compassionate singles from a band who's guitars screamed while Thom Yorke lullaby'd.
Not in my top 3 Radiohead albums but still fantastic. With relatively simple instrumentation compared to later works, Thom steals the show.
Baita som
oof really love fake plastic trees and high and dry.
Let's face it RH went weird after OK-C and a lot of people didn't like it. Me included. I've grown up now and know the new stuff is better. In Rainbows is at least a 4.5. It's hard to go back. Here goes. Listens. Do I prefer the newer stuff? Yes. Is this a great album?. Hell yes. Also isn't Bullet Proof brilliant. I appreciate the ones that were more fillers. Street Spirit however is godlike.4.5
Siempre le pasé de costado a Radiohead. Me gustó mucho escuchar por primera vez The Bends a esta edad, entendiendo más de qué se trata.
Rock
The album that made Radiohead what we came to know as critic darlings Radiohead. I am not supposed to like this one, and still I find it enjoyable. I am fearing OK Computer though.
I'm not much of a Radiohead fan (at least I don't think so- I haven't listened to much) but I really like this album pretty well, specifically the first four songs.
This was a great album. I liked it a lot more than the previous Radiohead we listened to.
I think I just became a Radiohead fan? This album is full of musical highs and lows and is super comprehensive in the early 90s grunge alternative sound. Really great listen.
This was really good. I've always wanted to like radiohead, but some of their other songs have "noise" that overtakes the value of the song. That didn't really happen here and I was happy to listen to all of it. I'll return to this album.
So sad, but beautiful
Landfill indie is a pejorative term used by music critics to describe the glut of rocking indie tracks that bloated the UK in the latter years of the noughties. Now, UK indie has always had a much greater supply than demand since the early 80s, and a deep old dive into the more obscure of UK indie from any period in the last 40 years will turn up the odd pearl, along with the occasional used syringe. But the late noughties seemed especially plagued with middle-class quartets sporting shaggy hair and warm cans of lager, delivering moshable riffs that were constrained so as not to be too insensitive. Think "music leading to the ad break of The Inbetweeners" and you're exactly where landfill indie attained its cultural apex. My contention is that the foundation stone of this particular style of landfill indie is Radiohead's The Bends. Yes, you can point to the guitar-centric arrogance of The Stone Roses and Oasis, or the off-kilter kitchen-sink observations of The Smiths and Blur, or the wasted refinement of Suede and Pulp, and they are all key building blocks. But the sonic template for what became noughties mainstream indie originated in The Bends. Consider these facts. The first riff every landfill indie band learnt was Street Spirit (God, I grew sick of hearing that dribble continuously for hours in mates' bedrooms). If you plonked Just in the 2008 charts, you'd think it was just (hah!) a standard, slightly harsh, slightly cynical bit of landfill indie that landfill indie bands would release just to dodge the monotony of songs about their desire to explore a trustafarian's internal plumbing. Radiohead had become the most critically feted rock band by the year 2000, thus becoming the icon for your ambitious indie bands; Oasis had blown it, Coldplay were too liked-by-your-parents, Damon Albarn decided to be much more interesting with Gorillaz, and much other indie of the time was, well, heading for the landfill. Almost by default, Radiohead were the indie band to emulate. However, Radiohead didn't want to be the most heralded indie band; they were pursuing their own experiments, occasionally to great results. So, the landfill indie of the noughties touched on Radiohead's most accessible album as inspiration: The Bends. So is The Bends diminished by lesser bands seizing its aesthetic? Well, is Nevermind diminished by Puddle of Mudd? Personally, I recognise Radiohead has done great stuff, but not as much as is claimed, and in any case I just (did it again!) don't love Radiohead. Too much intellectualisation, too much calculation. Not that the intellect is something to snub, and this is a fine 4-starrer, but it's just (thank you and goodnight!) a smidge hard to detect the heart beating underneath the cleverness. I'll leave you with a game. Listen to the opening guitars on any song, and imagine it's by the Stereophonics. It fits perfectly, n'est-ce pas?
I hope this album got love for its guitar sound. Couple of tracks are dull. But otherwise, wow.
Probably my favourite Radiohead album. I always found it hard to buy into band's vision back in the day. The music papers tried to pigeon hole them in with Britpop. This clearly didn't fit, and so I didn't really understand what they were trying to achieve. I did buy The Bends, and played it constantly for a couple of months. It still stacks up - possibly more so now once the Britpop prism has long since been removed. The production on the drums sounds fantastic. Plenty of beef to compensate for the more bed wetter moments. I've given this 4. It could be a 5 tbh.
While it doesn't reach the heights of OK Computer, it's still a great indie rock record, and a clear sign of more greatness to come.
One of the few Radiohead albums that I don't have in my collection. No particular reason, just never ran across this one at the stores. It's a solid 90's alt-rock album. Some great songs, some not so great songs. Probably the most accessible Radiohead album. Solid 4 for me!
Mixed. 3.5.
It’s crazy to listen to this knowing what’s about to come
Planet telex, the bends, high and dry, fake plastic trees, just, my iron lung and street spirit all quality tunes, the rest better than mere filler. I only knew high and dry, my iron lung and street spirit before hand and I'm more into this than I expected to be for someone who more enjoys a few radiohead tunes rather than being a big fan of them.
Really good album, some classics of course. Couple of tracks I didn't like as much. Hard to decide between a 4 and a 5, but want to reserve a 5 for albums I like (nearly) all songs.
Radiohead is, in my case, the kind of band that needs to be tamed with time. I don't think The Bends is their masterpiece, but I had a good Time listening to it.
It's physcally impossible for me to put a 5 stars for this genre, but itt's a really really good indie album.
A band that gets better as they age. This is a classic
Good listen
Not bad but sad for me
Realy nice, a mood
Much more listenable than I remember, though Thom still had some shaky moments on the vocals. At some point, he has to stop getting away with hitting a note too low and then bending his voice. It's okay to do another take. Best track: Fake Plastic Trees
Yeah real nice.
I knew the songs, but I had never listened to the album. Really Good.
Second time listening to the album. It's slow and bittersweet at some parts. I absolutely love the last few tracks, especially "My Iron Lung".
This seems to be a lot of people's favourite Radiohead record which I understand - it's certainly their most direct alt-rock/almost britpop album and fits nicely with some other acclaimed British albums of the mid 90s. However it's only maybe my 4th favourite Radiohead album, which says more about the consistency of their catalogue than the quality of this record While I would ordinarily give this a 5, considering every album here is regarded as one of the best of all time I'm being a bit harsher with my ratings, as there shouldn't be too many absolute stinkers. Therefore 5s are going to be relatively sparse, and The Bends can make do with a comfortable 4
Multiple songs saved but needed that one song to make it a near 5/5. Gonna say 4.4/5
lovely vibe some nice songs
It's not "Kid A", but I love a lot of tracks on here, especially the title track. And Radiohead always knows how to make a great closer!
Great
Radiohead are an overrated band. Not a bad band, those don't mean the same thing, but an overrated band. Their morose forays into depression and alienation lacked the passion to give punch to their themes. Much like Sonic Youth's bored rich kid noodling, it largely makes me ask, if you're not excited about the music you're making, why should I be? The Bends is a good album. It's one of their albums that suffers from this problem the least. There is a greater sense of urgency than on OK Computer or Kid A, which are the only other two albums that I would consider worth any amount of attention. Outside of that, too much of Radiohead is mumbling over skittering electronic beats.
I never cared for radiohead, but I have a much better appreciation now. The music really holds up. I listened to more Radiohead and Thom gets a little whiney.
I really enjoyed this album. I've never gotten too deep into Radiohead beyond the hit songs, but I probably should spend some more time with their catalog. Sublime. 4 stars.
I've listened to this album many times before and it is still my favourite Radiohead album. Not as alienating as some of their later stuff, but still sounds unique enough stand out from the other alt rock of its time
i like some songs on here
I see this as the gateway album into Radiohead. Their most accessible album and a great album on its own merit, but just doesn’t quiet match up to the genius of OK Computer and Kid A.
very good
Nice
Flew by on my first listen many months ago but now it's one of my top albums of '95. It's a massive improvement over their grunge-heavy debut Pablo Honey. In a lot of ways, this album reminds me of the Smiths, between the jangly guitar and mentally unstable, often haunting, lyrics that match the whiny baroque vocals. You can hear a lot of their ideas that'll come to greater fruition by OK Computer. Those first few songs really set the atmosphere, great songs back to back. I know the fanbase doesn't really like "High and Dry" but honestly I find it to be a perfect introduction to Radiohead, it was the first Radiohead song (besides "Creep" obviously) I could sing along to, before I actually became a fan. Two masterpieces, "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit" represent exactly why the band is genius, even at this early stage, with other tracks close to that title. This is their most consistent effort, but it also comes with a weakness. The 2nd side is full of weaker tracks, with most of the positives to just be replicated from the better tracks. It doesn't mean they suck, but I don't like them for what they are, just what they're trying to be.
90s era rock. I never got into Radiohead like all of my college friends did. An album that's easy to listen to with no real weaknesses ... unless you don't like grunge era guitar.
Loved the entire sound of this album! I've only heard few of their songs, but listening to the entire album went by so quick, I enjoyed it!
Actually way better than I expected! Really good 90s rock album
Took me a long time to really get into radiohead, but now i find myself enjoying pretty much all of their stuff
Ich höre dieses Album Heute zum ersten mal, während ich im Homeoffice Papierkram mache. Für mich eine gute Background music 👍🏻😀
Oh I like High and Dry!! The second new song collected from this project so far (18 albums in) after The Boxer.
Svo gooooott! <3
Really solid sound throughout, radio head is definitely a solid band
4.0
Did not remember it was this depressing.
This is a nice palate cleanser after The Avalanches. God I hate that record. I've got too many memories connected to this album to be truly objective, but it's a great 90s rock record. I will always love Just, but some of the maudlin numbers aren't all that great - high and dry / fake plastic trees.
More like a 4.5
Q: What's better, The Bends or OK Computer? A: Kid A Which isn't entirely fair...on OK Computer. But that's by the point What one often forgets is that Radiohead are a *brave* outfit. They're restless, adventurous, and have never been afraid to explore new territory. Which is saying something for a band of five guys who've been making music for 30 years. This is their last *explicitly* commercial album. Not in the sense that they aren't in the business of scoring and retaining a hold on a distinct fanbase (I think every musician wants this – its always a matter of scale, rather than intentions), but rather that they've worked from instinct rather critique ever since. I always think that the transition occurs somewhere between High and Dry and Street Spirit (Fade Out). The former is serviceable, but it's music making by supervision – where are the hit singles, etc. The latter isn't very far away from it, but it's much looser, less constrained, more ... real? It hasn't always been a smooth upwards trajectory ever since (Hail to the Thief and King of Limbs both have notable bad patches). But its been their own journey ever since The Bends
More like 3.7 because they haven't mastered the art of ethereal cryptic lyrics yet :p
Added!
Second Listen. Really loving this album. I want to give it a 5/5 but I'll stick with 4/5 for now.
On par mit den besten Britpop-Zeitgenossen. Bei mir damals trotzdem nur am Rand der Wahrnehmung weil ich weiß auch nicht. Thom Yorkes Monstranz aus Artyfartyness wo ich doch nur dröhnen wollte? Egal, jetzt das, was sie dafür locker verdienen: 3,8.
Good track from Some Rap Songs
I've never understood all the fuss over Radiohead, but I'd also never heard this album through. Great stuff.
this was fun. i've never really been into them, but not for any particular reason. i first heard high and dry as a cover by jamie cullum (which is amazing, btw), so it was cool to hear the original in context. also, hearing my iron lung made me desperately wish that they'd cover the killing moon by echo & the bunnymen. the intro is sooo similar, and it just screams to me that their cover would be incredible.
Yeah, this is a really good album. With the exception of My Iron Lung and Bones, I liked pretty much every thing else on it. I'll listen to this again, and again.
Great album. I wish I had been paying attention when it came out. Stellar band.
Good album. Maybe great? Not sure. I'd have to listen many more times before making that distinction. I think it would really grow on me though. Would tots listen again.
i really loved this album i thought it was so fun and just a good album to listen to
Categorizing this as "alternative" is a bit puzzling - this is a straight-up fantastic rock album that felt very fresh for the mid-90s. Incorporating modern elements/sounds into a layered guitar approach it was a great step above their meh debut album, and would only be a temporary stepping stone to their next string of albums which went off in then-unpredictable and amazing directions. I'm not entirely sure it's as revolutionary or amazing or alt-rock as was (is?) made out to be and if there's any negativity from me it's that at some point the songs do tend to blend in with one another somehow, despite the decent variety. Seems weird to say it but even though I like every song on this album, as a whole it bores me and I don't know if I have ever been able to sit through it at once. If you've heard and disliked later-period Radiohead give this a try as it is a far more traditional rock format in terms of the instrumentation and song structure. Highlights are "The Bends" "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" 7/10 4 stars
The real Radiohead definitely starting to show up here though I think better is yet to come.
The Bends goza de estar entre el odiado Pablo Honey y el glorioso OK Computer, siendo un álbum de transición que si bien no es ni la mitad de importante que su sucesor aun así logra brillar con luz propio. Más de la mitad del álbum está compuesto por absolutos clásicos del canon de la banda donde abandonarían poco a poco las influencias britpop de su debut para cementar el germen sonoro de lo que vendría a ser un futuro brillante. No creo que sea la obra maestra que muchos opinan, pero ciertamente es un trabajo destacable y más que relevante dentro de la discografía de la banda. Para mí un sólido 8/10
There do be some bops on this
Good to listen to when you want to punch someone in the throat 9/10.
Great mid 90s melancholy alt rock!
Have listened to Radiohead before and do like them, just don't listen to them or think they are gods like some do. Highlighted songs: High and Dry, Nice Dream
The Bends is an album I have heard of but never had the chance to listen to. After "Creep" it catapulted them into the stratosphere. Their sound has influenced so many Brit Pop/Rock bands that have come after them, and in listening to this it becomes evident where the influences are. Best: The Bends; High and Dry Worst: Bullet Proof... I wish I was
really crazy trip down memory lane, honestly very much overlooked and underestimated this one
Great stuff
Absolute CLASSIC. Not a bad song on this album! Usual highlights but Fake Plastic Trees and Street Spirit are two of the greatest songs ever written! Absolutely love this album! ON THE VINYL LIST!!!!
I have this one, but haven’t played it in a long time. Did not have time to listen yesterday, but will revisit today.
6th best radiohead album is still an 8/10 lmao
Oh no. I can't bare Radiohead! Was what I first thought when I saw this was the album of the day. Where I can't deny, there are some really beautiful songs on this album - High and Dry an example. I just can't help wishing that someone else was singing them. It all stems from seeing them on TOTP, years ago and Thom Yorke just spitting everywhere whilst he sang. I just can't bare him! 😫
I've never been a radiohead fan, I feel they are pretty overrated. That said, this was ok.
Radiohead, nuff said
More accessible and perhaps conventionally rock than OK Computer.
If Pablo Honey was the band warming up, The Bends is where they truly start to find their signature sound. Simple and straightforward alt. rock songwriting is at the forefront here, and there are some really effecting tracks here. Street Spirits is a new favourite, and leaves me with a pit in my stomach. The tracklisting is almost perfect for this genre, and Radiohead is very close to perfecting this genre for the 90s, which isn't surprising that they jumped into more experimental waters after it's release. Onto bigger and better things. Fav tracks: Street Spirits (Fade Out), High and Dry, Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was and Fake Plastic Trees
The Bends is a transitional record for Radiohead, still operating in the alt-rock mode of Pablo Honey but suggesting the more experimental work to follow with Ok Computer. It's quite a trajectory and while perhaps the Bends doesn't reach the heights of Ok Computer, I'm enjoying it's more straightforward arrangements and pop songwriting quite a bit. Maybe that's an unfair comparison. "High and Dry" and "Fake Plastic Trees" are obvious highlights but the title track and "Street Spirit" are also really moving. Favourite tracks: The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Street Spirit
Buen disco, aunque sigo prefiriendo el OK Computer
Wat een leuke bende !
Very relaxing music. Had several fav’s : Fake Plastic 🌴and High & Dry, My Iron Lung are great stand outs, Good lyrics, good music. The album cover is very creepy.
I mean I hate Radiohead as much as the next man. But this was done well before they disappeared up their own arses and its a class apart isn't it? The first five songs alone are one of the best run of 5 songs back to back on any album I can think of. (Nice Dream) is a bit of a nothing track which is a shame. Just is one of the best Radiohead songs. So is My iron Lung. Both stone cold classics. The rest of the album is flawless and Street Spirit is a wonderful closer. Fuck. I wanted to hate this! Do I forgive it one forgettable track and give it a 5 or is it a 4? Its a 4 isn't it.
I'm not a fan of more recent Radiohead works, but this album has some type of rawness that really touches me. A great piece of art.
Cool, what can I say? I really want to love Radiohead but I'm incapable of listening more than 6 sons in a row :/
I like it a lot. First half is a bit of a snooze fest even though I like the songs (don't leave me hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh). Once it gets to Just and the following higher-energy stuff, the album really picks up steam. This'll probably make it into my winter rotation of albums but isn't quite a 5 imo.
Good.
One of the greatest albums ever produced. Definitely in my top 5 by Radiohead.
It's tempting to give all Radiohead albums a 5, but this one has to get a 4 since my connection to it isn't as strong as some others. But overall they make genius music.
Sooo good!
I prefer their later, weirder albums, but re-listening to The Bends and it's really solidly well done - lots of great tunes. Fave track - "Street Spirit (Fade Out)", although "Fake Plastic Trees" is a close second...
Really good.
Amazing album. Top 3-4? Radiohead album. 9/10 1. Just 2. High and Dry 3. Planet Telex
loved this album, unfortunately i had already heard this but still real good 4/5
Love it but I liked OK Computer more.
Mid tier radiohead
really solid
never listened to this one before but radiohead is my usual style so ill probably like it plantet telex bouncy but vocals eh bends solo neat noizy high and dry mood 👌 fake plastic trees is that moment in the film when things went to shit and they're all sad also GHOST KEYBOARD bones beginning ✨✨✨✨ nice dream is nice, yorks voice sounds gr8 here and the noisy solo just is fun my iron lung yes whiny vocalss refrão yesss bullet proof great, hearted black star roadtrip song sulk that 4 motif is cool Street spirit I love when it gets whiny and its obviously an End overall I liked it, its cool 4.5
Very good casual rock high and dry
Good songs
Enjoyed it very much. It's just a great melodic Brit rock album. Highlights: High And Dry and Just.
yes
Surprised that I enjoyed this. A couple songs were pretty meaningless tho
all the songs sound the same but that's their vibe so /shrug
Enjoyed this early Radiohead album, but I like later albums more.
Classic. Lots of nostalgia on this one.
Gr8
Not bad! Good, classic alternative.
Big surprise having never really listened to Radiohead before. Much catchier melodies than anticipated, as well as some songs that I already knew that I didn’t know were by them
Great album mostly hits. Some unremarkable tracks
Радиоголова на четверку точно тянет!
I have known, owned and loved this album since its release. I haven't listened to it in ages, it's still lovely, before Radiohead went past my threshold. It almost deserves the 5 rating for Street Spirit alone, what a tune that is.
Not my favorite Radiohead album but a great one
Yeah, it's Radiohead. I was 20 when this came out and it takes me back.
Slow rock. I like it. Will come back to listen again
Not my favourite Radiohead album, but still an excellent album
3.5 a lot better when i was 15
Storslået, eksperimenterende, heftigt, melodiøst
Another reminder to listen to more Radiohead
A bit too soft and moody for my tastes. I liked "Planet Telex" and "Just" though.
A little better than Kid A in my opinion.
Despite being quite into radiohead as a teen I never quite enjoyed the bends. And even now 15 years later it just doesn't grip me. though it does feel like their most energetic and conventional album in a sense, it ends up being a little bit boring and somewhat bland
i don’t know what there is to say about radiohead that hasn’t been said. thom yorke is an ass. music is emo. it’s fine if that’s your bag.
The Bends/ OK Computer is my sweet spot of Radiohead. They'll never be my favorite, but I liked this more than I remembered. Just is my favorite, but that may be because of the video? And maybe I like Radiohead videos more than their albums? 3.5⭐️
Good, but I'm not British so it's not the best thing I've ever heard.
Was actually surprised I enjoyed this! Had a lot more sonf with an alt rock than I'm used to for Radiohead. And only occasionally drifted into avant garde territory. Overall- good album. 3.5/5
- (Nice Dream) is the only one memorable to me so far - I know some of the songs. But I don't think I really like any song in particular.
***An ok album, fairly easy listening
I like (nice dream). heard some songs already. peak 2000s indie emo rock vibes.
Not a huge Radiohead fan but it was okay
Alright but I wouldn't relisten
It is a dynamic album with some depth, the guitar sounds great and the songwriting is decent. Yorke can be a bit whiny sounding but I am okay with that. This album was a huge influence on the Brit-pop sound. It is a decent album has some really good songs and a few meh tunes.
An acceptable rock album. Nothing spectacular here. The only song on this one that grabbed me was "Street Spirit (Fade Out)", which I had never knowingly heard before. Hopefully I'm done listening to Radiohead. My Rating: 3/5
okay at first all the songs kinda sounded the same but when i tell you i loved sulk it when into like 3 of my playlists which is an achievement believe me another one i really liked was just it when straight into emo goth from the 90s playlist all of them were similar but special in their own way i know a few raidohead songs but let me say i only know the popular ones yes i am a larper ngl but i am glad i got to hear more of their songs would i listen to the whole album again no but did i really like it and will def be listing to the ones in my playlist yess to happy i got recommend this website day 1 !
Buen material. Siento que tiene buenas canciones, pero no mis favoritas de su discografía Muy fiel a su estilo, que ya en Pablo Honey estaba bastante marcado, pero de igual manera esto es solo un paso a toda la evolución a la que han llegado Se disfruta! 3.8
So I was expecting to hate this but the songs (at least the fast tempo one were really good but the slow ones really did nothing for me. So I had to split the difference and give them an average score.
I can understand why people love it but the only thing you want to do is fall into depression and kill yourself
A few great, nostalgic songs, and overall great vibe, but not an album I’d listen to start to finish.
This is the best of their albums, I’d say. Still annoying to listen to, but not as annoying as their later stuff.
Honestly, I was prepared to hate this. But this is a very sympathetic record. Palatable and very honest. I don't know if radiohead will become one of my staples but I enjoyed it.
The Bends is far from my favorite Radiohead album. It feels like the band have found what they wanted to be, but not yet fully developed into being comfortable with that style. It reminding me of an ex asside, I still think its pretty good even with all that said. This feels like the most post-nirvana album of theirs and probably the best pick to get someone who thinks "Radiohead is too slow" to listen to. It's just lacking in the standouts I find in their best work, and feels more like a showcase of things to come then an incredible album in its own right.
Aight, its radiohead
Review - really shows that they hit their stride with Ok Computer. The good songs are good but there's a lot of chaff here too. Score - 7/10 Need to listen? YES
Not bad, not my thang
Somebody on the list-making committee must like Radiohead, as this is their third appearance. Radiohead is known for their alternative rock, although to me the music here is a mixture of rock and hard rock. I know none of these songs, although that’s not a surprise since they are from the 90s. Barely good enough for three stars.
My old friend Radiohead. Them wishing it was the 60s on 'The Bends' is like me wishing it was the 90s now, which I do, so that's a song that's grown on me with time. But this isn't one of the 3 Radiohead albums I own, and thus (or therefore?) it's not one of the Radiohead albums I particularly like. However, a shoutout to 'My Iron Lung' for being another excellent Rockstar Supernova performance! That show is like the State to State of music - I'll never forget it, even if I forget everything else. I think a lot of these songs are used in sad TV scenes, and that's kind of the vibe of the album: sweeping, sad, but a little bit generic (at least now). I'm a mild fan. Highlights: 'Fake Plastic Trees', 'Black Star'
definitely feels transitional but that’s probably because i know what’s coming next. fake plastic trees and street spirits are major highlights
Not too fussed about it, although there were some bangers I didn't realise were Radiohead. Otherwise was kind of just a blur.
Best Radiohead album thus far
Probably the most familiar Radiohead album to me. Also sounds like Coldplay to me. I like a few of the songs but not really my vibe
I realize I’m writing these more as a journal/reflection for myself rather than true album reviews, but here we go: This is probably the album cover I remember the best from Radiohead, and it was interesting to learn that The Bends was the first Radiohead album with cover art by Stanley Donwood, who has continued to produce artwork with the band ever since. As far as the music itself, I was surprised that outside of High And Dry I’m not sure I recognized much. This album felt like a very different (but more “traditionally alternative”) style than the other two albums I’ve reviewed as part of this journey, both released in the 2000s versus the 90s (Amnesiac & In Rainbows). While I’ve come to associate Radiohead with the more haunting and experimental sound of their later albums, I did really enjoy this one. Street Spirit (Fade Out) was probably my favorite.
Blows they're Zionists now :(
There's some really interesting instrumentals here. The last few songs really got going. But it's not resonating with me as it is with other people. Glad I got a listen. Time to go back to the Flaming Lips on repeat then...
Buenas letras; la música no me llamó la atención, y quizá sólo por no ser mi estilo. High And Dry tiene una interpretación sublime del vocalista. Sorprende su capacidad en cuanto a falsete también en la canción siguiente, y la siguiente, y la siguiente... Harta un poco. Lo poco interesante que le hallé a Fake Plastic Trees es la adición de instrumentos de cuerda; similarmente, sólo me gustaron las guitarras en Bones. Ahora bien, Nice Dream es una de las mejores; no por su inicio aburrido, aunque con la llamativa imaginación de una instrumento que parece colgar infinitamente en dos notas, sinó por su evolución y brevísimo solo, que la mejora demasiado. Los acordes de Just están bien; mi segunda favorita (puede ser que, con el tiempo, le agarre más cariño). My Iron Lung es simplemente cautivante; ya hay, entonces, una tercera. A este punto, con Bullet Proof, ya entiendo por qué es considerado un gran álbum. A Sulk le salvó la batería y el solo. En resumen, amé la mitad del álbum; mas ni el inicio ni el final se me hicieron particulares o destacables. Admito que juzgué mal a la batería, pues, andando el tiempo, le noté la utilidad. Este es mi primer álbum de la lista. Haré lo posible por no puntuar canciones individualmente, porque mi pensamiento es el siguiente: el álbum musical es una unidad como tal, no sólo un conjunto de canciones. Naturalmente, se tratará siempre de mi apreciación a la primera escucha; el encontrarle el tino y el concepto a un álbum no requiere de una sola, sinó de varias y de exhaustivo análisis e investigación, así que ni yo ni nadie se debe tomar esto muy en serio. XD
I'm not a fan of Radiohead, and I don't believe I've listened to this album start-to-finish. I generally dislike Thom Yorke as a singer. On their later albums, they also tend to just _not_ rock, which is a weird thing for a rock band to do. This being one of their earlier albums, it's still got a fair bit of rock in it, but it's also still very much suffering from my distaste for Thom Yorke's singing. I don't hate this album, but I'm definitely not going to listen to it again.
Nice, and good to hear fake plastic trees in context. That said. I still don’t quite understand why this band is held in such disproportionately high esteem compared to other similar bands. I keep expecting to be blown away! Deathcab was my top artist of 2025! They can’t be that far off right? Maybe they are. I’ll investigate. Still, I loved a few especially high and dry and Just.
A good, but not great Radiohead LP. Most of the tracks here are wildly overplayed but the deeper cuts jumped out a lot more on this listen. Nice Dream, Bones, Black Star all surprisingly good. Catchy, memorable songs but overall just a bit… safe? Give me weird Radiohead over this any day.
The only Radiohead album I occasionally return to. Tells you more about me, than the album.
Блять) вот надо было так выиграть в лотерее, что из ВСЕЙ музыки на свете выпала Радиохед. По стереотипам музыка данного коллектива крайне депрессивна и годиться для того, чтобы лечь под трамвай включив exit for a film. ШТОШ, если так повезло, то будет на серьезке слушать. Пока просто брит рок. Но вот вокалист на эмоциональных моментах прям умирает ноющие.
Mid dude
For me Radiohead is only sad songs and existencial crisis so i want to hear what this album is about. Suffering, but very wonderful(like the end of the times) in Planet Telex. I can understand the lyrics, tired sinner vibes. 8 out of 10 The self-title song is good, i liked the riffs in the half-end. The lyrics are like Dumb from Nirvana, but ends hopeful i guess. 7.8 out of 10 High and Dry have a nice chrous, but idk, i think is the singer voice that gives that vibe of hauting and nostalgic. Pre-final riff reminds me of Its Time from Imagine Dragons, but is very good and nostalgic. I feel like this would´ve been written in the late 00s or 10s. 9 out of 10 The cover doesnt match the songs Fake plastic trees remind me of Lorax. Its all too libertador, i enjoy this. 8.9 de 10 A nice sound in Bones, its different from the others. The singer puts more emotion, the sound seems harsh. Talks about getting old? 9.5 out of 10 Nice dreams is very 90s but i feel like this not belong to an adult. A rock on the end. 7.6 de 10 Just is a very messy song, but i liked and i relate to the lyrics, so is goooood!!! liked the more heavy rock. 9.2 de 10 I like the riffs in My Iron Lung, its a good song, kinda generic(not in 1995). Lyrics are curious? 7 de 10 They sound like crisis, but with rock and anger mixed. mid-song have good riffs. Bullet proof is sleepy and purple. 7 out of 10 Balck star have a renegade type of lyrics. I liked, i can feel Resgate thoghtout some parts. Its a very heavy song(lyrically). 8 out of 10 Sulk have the sound that i like. Dreamy but passionate. Love it. 9.3 out of 10 The album ends melancolic, i liked Fade out. Very nice final seconds. 7.9 out of 10 An album very interessing, especially by the decade. Also very Hot Fuss skies and tired sinner lyrics. It was a nice album, but nothing too memorable.
Not big on Radiohead but this was much better than the last album of theirs I had.
I’m the perfect age/race/gender demographic to be a huge Radiohead fanatic, but they never really did anything for me. I can recognize that there is musical talent, but there isn’t any there there. There’s no blood going to it.
Some real jewels amongst pebbles, proto-brilliance.
3.5 stars
Like every other Radiohead album - fine, I guess.
3 1/2
3.5. the highs are high!!!
Ogólnie vibe albumu fajny, nie słuchałem wcześniej, ale żadna piosenka nie zapadła mi w pamięć
This is a serviceable 90s album. Not my favorite, not the worst.
it was fine
It is quite amazing that these guys hamstrung their own early popularity by releasing the worst song off this album as the second single, then decided to play entirely different music over the next few albums. Despite these factors they are still considered by many to be one of the best bands ever formed. They must be very good.
I like the instrumental side, but the vocals are not my thing. I also wished it got more experimental/weird.
This was good album that was pleasant to listen to and it also contained loads of interesting stuff in the songs. This was more to my taste than the previous Amnesiac that I listened from Radiohead. Best track was High and Dry.
There's a lot of filler on this album, High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees are great tracks just listen to Ok Computer to In Rainbows instead. What a hell of a run
Alright alright, I'll admit this wasn't horrible. I'm surprised this album isn't as insufferable as their later works. Just normal alt rock. Would I revisit this? Maybe. No guarantees. Tracks I liked: The bends, my iron lung, bullet proof I wish i was, black star, street spirit fade out.
Buen álbum, musicalmente excelente pero no me llegan las canciones. Le siento falta de potencia a la voz para las canciones.
Muy normalito, no me pareció nada del otro mundo. 6/10
Уже не creep, еще не no surprises
Didn't really hit for me. Objectively nothing bad about the album.
1995. Combines guitar songs and ballads, with more restrained arrangements and cryptic lyrics than Radiohead's debut album, Pablo Honey
it's fine. "street spirit" is still a great, great song, but this album doesn't move me like _kid a_ and beyond. _ok computer_ is a big upgrade from this but still isn't radiohead at their best
Most songs sound kind of the same except for the second one and the last one (The bends and Street spirit). Melancholic, every song blends together as if being stuck in a line of thought for 48 minutes straight, going over the same feeling over and over again. That's not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, I wouldn't have had it any other way
La primera mitad del álbum es mi favorita y es musicalmente muy esperanzadora. La segunda mitad es todo lo contrario, ahora entiendo por qué está en la lista.
Buen álbum
I enjoyed this album. The band behind Thom York is stellar. York's vocals are muffled sounding to me. I don't know if his voice is difficult to record or if it's just how he sounds. His voice is pleasant enough. I just wish it sounded more present. Other than that, good stuff.
Radiohead is not really my kind of band, but I can recognise that it's a big band of the 90's. My personal note is 3/5
(Ice Cream) Good album just not enough bangers so probably wouldn’t listen to the full thing again. Do like radio head just not my fave work of theirs
3.5
radio head was never my thing... opinion stays same
Takes me back to my youth. Few classics on here, but a few to forget as well
Not quite as dreary as I had expected. Still a little bit noisy and mournful at times. Unlikely to revisit but not bad.
i have never loved Radio Head. i like them. i was hopeful for this one. overall it was fine. but i am not into them anymore than before
It was pretty good, but Radiohead still evades me…
gave me more radiohead knowledge but idk if it spoke to me enough
I don't get the appeal of Radiohead.
I wasn’t familiar with this album, though the track ‘High and Dry’ did sound familiar, of course :-) The rest of the album wasn’t bad, so I’d give it a 7 out of 10...
good
Fine but can't really get into Radiohead
The first song that I like is High and Dry Fake plastic trees is amazing album is ok, I am not hooked, it is 3/5 for me
Enjoyed this more than the other Radiohead albums I've had so far on this list. It's more straightforward and more of a rock based album. I prefer this over the more ambient and distorted albums they made later. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Ok. Better than I expected.
*I appreciate the musicianship but Radiohead is just not for me.
7/10 Not my style but i see why it's such a good album
3,5 men det får jag inte ge. Gillade Street Spirit!
meh
Je veux tellement aimer ça mais
it was ok
pretty good (i can’t fully remember - maybe not a stand out…maybe need to relisten)
Don’t think ima Radiohead guy. Ig it’s an acquired taste. Still some good sounds.
I’m a
good, liked 2 songs
This album is painfully mediocre, there is nothing special about it and just sounds like standard white guy rock, if an album is good enough to be on this list I expect it to have at least some originality and not just the bland stereotypical inde rock song
- Kan godt lide Radiohead, men det er bare ikke mit y
Ethereal floating voice, lots of songs that I'm not sure about. The highs are high but it didn't land completely for me.
not my top radiohead album but a good listen
meh, the least interesting radiohead album
Radiohead is one of the greatest artists of all time, but this is like their 5th best album at best.
Good bit not as good as the rest
Sounded like Radiohead, good vibe from that era, didn’t really strike me otherwise.
ok finally getting back to listening to this. first thing monday morning because why not. planet telex--off to a better start than amnesiac. the bends--nice rocking going on there high and dry--ok i'm actually enjoying this one still got some radiohead mumbly not annunciating anything singing humming stuff. i dunno, 3/5? 2/5.
I don't think this is Radiohead's best work.
I dont really like it, but I know the impact of this record in the world music. im not a huge fan of Rdiohead but meh, its ok, I understand the love for this. "Bullet proof... I wish I am" its fuckin depressin bro.
Radiohead, for me, are an acquired taste. I still have not been able to acquire a liking for Thom Yorke’s whining and moping which makes this record a chore despite there being some quality tunes. I get that Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, Planet Telex and Street Spirit (Fade Out) are cornerstones of Radioheads hits coming off of the massive single “Creep”, and I would normally enjoy these but it all comes down to whether you like Thom Yorke as a vocalist. I don’t. None of these are my favorite from this record. Mine is Bones for some reason. A little tedious overall and for all the hype surrounding the experimental nature of the band and its music, little evidence of that exists here. 3/5
Gosto de boa parte das músicas, principalmente fake plastic trees e high and dry, a atmosfera escura do álbum causa uma certa Melancolia que n gosto de sentir por mt tempo mas ainda sim gostei no geral
I just can’t get into Radiohead. I’m sure it’s good but it is whiney.
nah i didnt like that
Good stuff 👍 not bad songs, only one was grating but nothing really stood out to me either.
I've inadvertently heard this album against my will for the majority of the 90s and yes, there are some bops put out by some sad bois. It's ok!
probably my second least favorite Radiohead album. depending on how i feel about The King of Limbs on that day. still pretty decent though. Fake Plastic Trees is a show stopper and Just is the best alt rock banger they've made probably ever. deserves to be one of the 1001? i mean i guess. it's a really huge step forward for the band and is no doubt a big moment for 90s rock, even if i think it's kinda middling for Radiohead
Jeg er mest til deres ballader, ellers bliver noget af det lige rocket nok for mig. Et par af sangene som fake plastic trees gør meget for mig
3.0 - Ok
Prob one of the better radiohead albums I've listen to fav songs: fake plastic trees, black star
7/10
This was already a fav of mine so I loved it duhhhhh ❤️👅❤️ those rolling stone guys rly know what they’re talking abt -Ruby I guess I’m just cursed to never like this band. —Noah
Ok, this album never struck me as great
I didn't hate this one, unlike other radio head albums.
Coolt men tråkigt
i liked it but i don't see myself jamming out to on the regular
the opener is actually pretty good! My Iron Lung and Sulk are also fun. elsewise it's not nearly as interminable as Amnesiac since the vocals aren't distressingly flat to nearly the same degree. this album sounds like i imagine living in a long-faded former industrial city in 1990s england feels.
Still not really getting why Radiohead is considered the best ever by so many people. Still, I really like the album ok. Will have to dig into more reviews to see what I am missing
Good. But is Radiohead the most overrated band in history?
Gotta revisit later
Radiohead, et band jeg aldri har lært meg å like ordentlig. Sangene deres er ofte vakre, med Thom Yorke sine myke vokaler, men de gir aldri noe mersmak. Det er nok et problem jeg har med art rock generelt; det engasjerer ikke nevneverdig. Dette albumet er mer rocka enn Radiohead sine senere prosjekter, og det er for så vidt positivt. Til tross for den innledende tiraden, er det mange smakfulle sanger her. Et ålreit album å lytte til når man trenger å slappe av. Top 3: The Bends, Bones, Black Star
Absolute classic my favourite Radiohead album so many great songs
Fajne brzmienie, ale to tyle. Bez rewolucji.
I mean it’s ok but not worth all the crazy rave reviews
Another slice of life from the thinking mans Coldplay. Highly probable i will not listen to this again although it wss ok to listen to. Didnt knock my socks off.
Not bad for Radiohead
Solid 3.5 4
I like the guitars on this one.
Very emotional album
I get that Radiohead are a generational band. They're brilliant. I don't really love them. I really like individual songs. This album contains several of those. It's a good album for me and a great album for others.
I expected it to be sad because that's what I know Radiohead for, but it's a very chill album. Very outside of what I normally listen to but I could 100% see myself listening to it again Alt rock/slowish vibe at time but not necessarily a sad emotional album but definitely a few slower songs
classic ive listened to this album before but never all the way through its ok a few skips
Good album, but only the start of what Radiohead can do.
Esse álbum e meio termo pra min,tem músicas que eu gostei,tem umas que eu nem liguei,e tem my iron lung.Eu vou querer escuta essa música depois,pq nem sempre gostamos da música de primeira.Tem muita música que eu adoro que quando conheci odiei.mas bem,gostei um pouco do álbum.
Another album that I know inside out. This is peak 1995. It's a massive level-up from Pablo Honey and the band just went to see Jeff Buckley in concert. The Bends is a good album. There's a reason why it catapulted Radiohead from "That Band That Did Creep" into the upper echelons. But, as you can probably tell, I don't entirely vibe with this album. I lived this whole 1990s British guitar-driven scene. The Manics had just released The Holy Bible and Suede's Dog Man Star was still fresh. Two behemoths in the 'what is this genre capable of"' category. By comparison The Bends is a good, solid album but it's still derivative and middle-of-the-road. Heck, Radiohead themselves kicked themselves into a completely different gear with their next album. I'm grading on a scale here, so this is a 3 for me. I think if I didn't know the era so well, I'd have a different reaction but here we are.
boring af.performances and production were really hollow. While there weren't many bad songs, what was there left me unimpressed.it had typical Radiohead lyrics but other aspects were significantly worse than other albums. Songs were often Samey and bland. Good album to help fall asleep Tho lol strong 5 to light 6
It was good. Impactful, interesting lyrics. Favs were High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, and (Nice Dream). Personally the more heavy rock elements are not always my cup of tea. I like the sounds of the lead singers voice. He makes lyrics about fake boobs sounds soulful and sad.
6/10
Täytyy myöntää että mulla on kohtuu tyhjiö tän orkan kohdalla. Ilmeisen arvostettua kamaa ja täytyy yrittää sisäistää. Tullee lisää näitä.
Ei ole tämäkään bändi kaikesta hypetyksestä huolimatta uponnut meikäläiseen. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
an okay album. I can see why it's praised but just not my style
Hmmmm I was really excited for this! But....it was just okay. Better than some albums I've gotten recently for sure, & I think that's skewing my opinion.
Got alot of good songs
3/5 - This album listen just confirmed that my Lexapro has officially kicked in, because this doesn't hit. For my first ever Radiohead album, not too shabby. Beautiful musicality, and I love the pure utter agony of the singer. But, there's this emotional distance between each song and I, and I got a little bored after My Iron Lung. It's beautiful, but also a drag, maybe I will relisten when I am more depressed and pretentious.
Not really my thing anymore although I enjoyed more melodic tunes from the album.
3/5 - gets catchier the more I listened but some had v repetitive lyrics
I see why they are considered the blueprint for shogaze, alt/indie rock. Saved one song, would not personally listen to whole album again but I "get it"
I just don’t get it. The amount of praise this band and album gets eclipses probably any other band and I just don’t hear it.
Merde j’avais écris tout un truc. Planet télex, j’aimais pas au début mais je crois que c’est la pref maintenant. Les accords m’ont juste pris par surprise.
Found this pretty generic, especially because what I have listened to from Radiohead is their later stuff which is much more experimental and interesting. Cool to see where they came from however
ei kuuland lopuni
So the music itself aint bad it's actually pretty good but its the style of the songs that i dont really like that much. It the kind of music i dread. Its giving summer vibes without anything really that special. But some songs from this album actually do go hard
J'ai bien aimé Black star et overall l'album est cool mais c'est pas une ambiance que j'aime écouter.
7/10
Not really my style but I do think it’s a good album if you’re into this kind of thing (sad boys who resent life and society). Personal favorite is Just, and the video is a masterpiece. My Iron Lung is also top 3
sigh. another radiohead
Aight not the best
Listening to The Bends after listening to Supergrass and having recently listened to Hail to the Thief as well. Going into listening, I feel like I typically am not a huge fan of Radiohead compared to what their hype is. The Bends is a jam. Solid jam band sound. I don't always love Yorke's whiny, drawn out vocals. High and Dry is of course one of Radiohead's most famous songs. Its good, its fine, its solid. A good song. Nothing special. Enjoyed Bones! Saved to my rock playlist (Nice Dream) was boring Just is good! Brings back some energy Bullet Proof again just kind of boring - I don't think the spacey, electronic post-grunge sound on a lot of the songs on this record is for me Overall, not terrible. Just has moments that are really boring imo. Still a few jams mixed in there but not consistent enough for me.
Im not an incel no ale buja kurde troszkę :(
Not their best offering
Kinda boring. "This, this is our new song Just like the last one A total waste of time"
Brandi did a cover of one of these songs at her last Campfire live stream!
Starts out and I think “oh okay, not bad but maybe not something I’d listen to all the time. By the end of the 3rd song I’ve changed my mind. I’ve found the depth I was seeking. This is when I decided I should pick a favorite song from every album I listen to and make a playlist. We’re now in fake plastic trees and I’m thinking this has to be my favorite song. I’m convinced. I’m only four songs in though. I feel like this album hits a climax mid album and then slopes downward in power and aggression. A good album. I’d listen again. And yeah fake plastic trees is the winner but Bones was a close second for me.
I definitely need to listen to more radiohead. Very nice album.