Reviews (page 12 of 15)
El mejor tema Black Star
Ugh. The Bends is better than a usual Radiohead song. Too many of these are just boring and drone on. Just is good as well.
Changed my life, this is the peak of 90s alternative rock.
Great
Thought this would be cooler bc I remember getting this tape from Big Mike. Couple really good songs but I'm never gunna revisit this.
liked a lot more on the second listen, really solid sounds throughout although personally one didn't stand out as truly unforgettable. excellent lyrics
No matter how many times I try to get into Radiohead, I always fall asleep. I do recognize it's importance in music history so I don't want to insult it's legacy by giving it a low rating. Not for me, but I'm glad people enjoy this.
I love this album, it's fantastic from beginning to end, and I was glad to see it pop up for this project. They give me this sense of specific melancholy I don't find often in other artists, it's a real mood.
Black Star, Planet Telex, and High and Dry are good, I do not like the vocals/style of the rest
Feels a little odd to hear The Bends right after OK Computer - but this album seems a little more straightforward guitar-oriented pieces, with a dabbling of experimentation. Comparing Creep from their previous album, Thom Yorke's voice seems more developed, with more falsetto and vibrato, but for me OK Computer is the stronger album more tight, more developed, more experimentation, tho this has many very good tracks such as Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, and Street Spirit (Fade Out). Despite my favoring OK Computer, I'm rating it the same at 4 stars.
Not bad but a little boring.
Pretty good but don't really get all the hype.
Fun as hell. Coming off the back off the new smile album, and having never listened to this one before, it's really interesting. Never gone this far back in the radiohead discography, it's rock and roll baybeee. No max/msp patches in this one, just pedals, amps and microphones. I like it, but it's not perfect. Some kinda yuck moments in here (thinking about the doodoodoodooo bit in the bends title track). High and dry hits different because of the Jamie Cullum CD my parents had in rotation back in the day.
Etwas duselig
After listening to OK Computer a couple of times and just not getting the band, this album helped me understand why people like Radiohead. Chill album.
I fear Thom Yorke (and his ability to take all my 5/5s). Fav Songs: Planet Telex, The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, (Nice Dream), Bullet Proof… I Wish I Was, … and I’m now realizing that I’m about to list the entire album, aren’t I? Least: …see above
Where it all changed for Radiohead. I thought Pablo Honey was pretty poor whereas OK Computer is one of the greatest albums ever written, so this is a lovely stepping stone to get there. The Pablo-esque songs are the weaker points (Bones, Just, Sulk). The stronger points are when they begin to explore the elements of their sound that would shortly propel them to the echelons of music. Solid 4*
I could listen to this all day long
Ver
Wish I could give it 3.5. Uninspired
I feel l should like this album more than I do, all the songs are pretty good but just don't make me feel much.
Outstanding
Planet Telex // High and Dry // Fake Plastic Trees // 3.5/5
This album doesn't really stand out on its own, but it does lay the foundation for a lot of the 90s and 00s music that follows it (including some of the other Radiohead albums). It's definitely good, but without its influence, I'm not sure it deserves a spot in an unbiased top 1001. I do like the style a lot and enjoyed every track, though.
Most introverted & depressive Britpop album. Fav Track: Black Star
I still don't like Radiohead but at least this is better than the other album I heard. My Iron Lung and Fade Out suck. Bullet Proof is ok
I loved this a lot, I was familiar with some of the songs already but the rest were just as good.
5, no todo el disco, pero si tiene unas joyas
Da e greit, men litt kjedelig
Amazing album, not quite as good as OK Computer. Excellent songwriting. 4.5
My personal favorite Radiohead album. Dynamic, expressive, and well-balanced in many ways
Very good. Best songs: bends, black star, bones
I’m not a fan of Radiohead and quite frankly I don’t know how they’re so big. About a week ago my daily album was Hail To The Thief and thought it sucked. The Bends however was less whiny and had crunchy riffs so that was a plus for me.
The leap from Pablo Honey to The Bends was incredible. This album is packed with gems and revisiting it was pure pleasure.
All tracks great. All tracks have inspired at least one inventive and interesting cover--that I know of. Shows that this all-time band was making excellent music even before they started going really weird. Now they’re making excellent music AND it’s really weird.
One day I'll figure out what's preventing me from REALLY getting into Radiohead. I don't not like them! It's fine! They're good! It just hasn't clicked yet. Will this be the countdown that clicks me?? Not yet! I'll keep at it!
Yeah
Knew of Radiohead, never really listened to their stuff 1 - Loving the intro song Planet Telex, nice way to start 2 - Liking the vibe 3 - slowed down but definitely listenable overall faded, but the few hits were nice
THE BEST RADIOHEAD ALBUM. Favorite song: Bones and High and Dry
Hell ye
This is an amazing 90s rock record. It sounds like the other music of the time, but it has a certain quality that’s hard to describe, but is distinctly Radiohead. It’s. It my favorite Radiohead record, but it’s a damn good album.
Fake plastic trees is still as good as I remember, overall easy to listen to in the background but didn't grab me
Innovative and still melodic - the kings of prog pop
I really liked it actually. Definitely worth another listen
Much more chill than i thought it would be.
This is a tad unrefined compared to the greatness of the album that followed it, but still a big improvement over Pablo, some indication of where Radiohead saw themselves in the 90s grunge-ish rock scene. The album itself doesn't have nearly the thematic depth that OKC would show, but makes a decent-enough comment on fame to justify its existence as an album.
Superb
my roman empire
A brilliant second album after an eminently forgettable debut.
Radiohead's second album, the Bends, transformed the band from "one hit wonder" status into international stars. While none of the songs was successful as the "one hit" from their first album, "Creep," the album is filled with songs that helped define alternative rock. With haunting ballads like "Fake Plastic Trees" and anthem-like tracks like "Planet Telex," the Bends established that Radiohead has significant range, and broad-based appeal.
What a great album. Not quite as consistent and quirky as OK Computer - but very strong. Great songs. Great sound. Especially The Bends and Bones.
Not the best Radiohead at all. No true identity yet but still amazing
DONT LEAVE ME HIGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH
Great late 90’s rock band. Good songs, good sound.
I love Radiohead, but this album contains too many 90s alt-rock-isms and has a weak track list. Revisiting this for the first time in a few years, I was struck by how bored I was for most of the runtime, and how mediocre most of the songs were. Street spirit is a great closer, but this is an average album propped up in acclaim by the rest of their incredible catalog.
Just is an incredible song Whole album is great
Is it great? Well maybe... Do I want to listen to it lots? Well maybe, but I'm never sure when
OSTIA PUTA VAYA ALBUM RADIOHEAD ADORO
Don’t like radiohead
I can see why the reviews for this are so good. This is a classic and holds up very well to this day. I loved every track.
Found a new song I liked, plus the usual hits. Good background music.
It was honestly okay, my father seemed to really like it. Personally, it was enjoyable, but not to the point where I wold go out of my way to listen to it again or to add it to any of my playlists. For any future recollection of this site by me here what my stars rating system is: 1-Unlistenable 2-Not my style 3-Enjoyable but nothing more 4-Would see myself listening to it again 5-Adding it to my playlist as we speak
Long time love
I had it on the background, recognized some of the songs but did not actively listen.
catchy, brooding, and sad teenage Radiohead angst in a more traditional alt-rock band package. excellent stuff 4.5/5
Gefällt mir
Lo conocía
Heard it many times before. Not my favorite from Radiohead but there's lots to love here and hint at where they're going. 3/5
Un gran disco de Radiohead, bastante rockero. Aunque no el disco que me gustaría escuchar en este momento. Seguramente lo escuche otra vez para darle la atención necesaria, pero como tengo que seguir al disco que sigue por ahora le doy 3 estrellas.
A less techno-sounding album but no less outstanding.
Not my favorite. I gave this a try, but cannot stand Thom Yorke’s voice.
(Nice Album)
Amazing album with some 5 start songs on it.
Overshadowed, outdated and outgrown. An album for its time.
Listened to it three times, fantastic album. Very mellow and easy listening. The bends, high and dry, fake plastic trees, sulk, black star, and street spirit (fade out) are my favorite tracks. Very interested to explore more Radiohead now.
I really like this album.
Great album 10/10 but will give it a 3 stars cause thom yorke is a zionist
odlicno
The Bends can be thought of as an interim or transitional album between the mainstream Alternative Rock of Pablo Honey and the more esoteric psychedelia of Ok Computer. The only radio hit from the album, Fake Plastic Trees, fit well with the mainstream of Alternative and could well have been an outtake from Pablo Honey. Other songs, including High and Dry, point to what Radiohead would become. That said, it is more accessible than later albums to listeners who are not Radiohead fans, and yet, still will satisfy the hardcore fanbase.
Not the biggest fan of Radiohead's old stuff but damn that album is influential. Looking at you Muse and Modest Mouse.
ovo cu slusat na nocnim voznjama s poluotvorenim prozorom, jako lipo!!
Uz popodnevnu kavu. Top. Mislim da mi je prva pisma najbolja
Zapravo 3,5 ali ajde. Sviđa mi se, slušala ga dosta kroz dan i ima par pjesama koje su mi se basss svidjele. Ali bolji mi je “In rainbows” koji sam slušala nedavno.
Slušam ga iovako svaki dan, sve radiohead je 5/5
I like it better than ok computer
One of my favorite bands and one of the best bands ever.
A fucking classic
Definitely one of my early favorites... Thom is a fantastic artist, musician and force in the industry... he does not conform... at all...
Good album, a preview of what radioed would become. A little heavier and rock than my expectations.
Planet Telex - 9/10 The Bend - 10/10 High and Dry - 10/10 Fake Plastic Trees - 10/10 Bones - 9/10 (Nice Dream) - 9/10 Just - 9/10 My Iron Lung - 9/10 Bullet Proof...I Wish I was - 9/10 Black Star - 10/10 Sulk - 10/10 Street Spirit(Fade Out) - 9/10 TOTAL - 104/120
Best song: Black Star Not a big Radiohead fan and this didn’t do a whole lot to change that. It’s objectively not a bad album at all and I can see why people like them, but it’s just not my scene.
Classic Radiohead sound. Great album. 5/5
Hated the singles from this at the time. But grew to realise my mistake and embrace this excellent original but still firmly rock and pop album.
Better than I expected considering not liking the other Radiohead I've listen to. Less whiny and more accessible.
i just know there’s a fortnite kid out there somewhere with a grandpa who is so annoying about this album
Not my groove
My first listen since 2010, definitely enjoyed it more now than I did then, especially the first three tracks
I mean, it's Radiohead. Probably not the one i've listened to the most, but it should be in the roatation. 4.5.
♪ Baby's got the bends, oh no. Don't have any real friends. ♪
So far no new albums to me: this has been a favorite since high school. Excellent.
Good album, would listen again. Probably not my favourite Radiohead, but very cool and a bit more raw than other albums.
Cross between 80's heavy guitar, grunge angsty-sound, and bit of the 90s singer soundwriter. Fake plastic trees seems almost out of place on the album.
I’m biased but, this is the first of the big 4 five star albums that radiohead have created, I think this is a very melancholy album however it’s so moving and every song is brilliant. Thankyou Thom.
Meh
Not bad - but not grabbing! Would need to listen more
Quantum leap forward for the band....no one-hit Creep.
This is a great album. It’s not perfect, but there are definitely some perfect songs on it. High And Dry and Fake Plastic Trees, for two, are absolute masterpieces to me, along with Black Star, which imo is tied with Airbag for most underrated Radiohead song. But even the ones I like the least are still really good. I’m a total sucker for guitar-heavy alt-rock, so it’s like Radiohead made this album to completely fit in with my taste.
I used to like this more but Radiohead just doesn't do it for me like they used to. Whiny Thom. It's a pretty good album still, 3.5/5 rounded down
Had you asked me to review this a year or so ago it would have gotten a 2. But recently i’ve become RadioPilled and am really understanding their music. This isn’t my favorite by them but god damn it’s a good one. Honestly listening to fake plastic trees randomly on shuffle last year fueled my newfound love for RH. so thank you bends
Meh. Have never really been a fan of theirs. Just ok.
Not a weak track on this one. I personally think this is Radiohead's best album. Jonny Greenwood is a guitar hero despite the fact he's not even close to being a classic shredder yet the way he can manipulate and devise sounds and angles into the songs is just brilliant. Fantastic stuff.
big 3
Another album I know well by one of my favourite bands. Discovered this after I had got into OK Computer. One or two really stand out tracks with my favourite being Fake Plastic Trees. The last verse of that in particular means a lot to me - a cutting indictment of my marriage at the time. Having been prompted to listen to full album again realised what a great and ground breaking album this is and nearly 30 years on from release stood test of time.
Love this album. Planet Telex, Blackstar, Street Spirit, just an amazing album
Not my favorite Radiohead album but still so very good
A little slow to start but then Just comes in and hits like a brick.
high and dry single was alright.
Fantastic album. I need to listen to more Radiohead.
Another meh.
better computer
Please no more Radiohead. This album is alright though.
Great album. Good lyrics, interesting music.
•own, 3-4 times over •This is the first record on this that I’ve listened to a million times but I’m going to focus on how it sounds as an album—as compared to an article from my life. That said, I hear the filler that people complain about, even RH fans. It’s a formative record—you can pick which songs came from the Pablo Honey sessions, which ones lead them to OK Computer—and it still contains some of their greatest songs (Street Spirit, Just, Fake Plastic Trees) and some of Thom’s best lyrics (“Drying up in conversation/ You will be the one who cannot talk. / All your insides fall to pieces/ You just sit there wishing you could still make love.”) And yes, that also includes comparing a lover to Coca Cola. •4/5
Album 271 of 1001 Radiohead - The Bends Rating : 4 / 5 Good album. Did me well as I made breakfast this morning. A little less grunge than their first album. One to keep.
Klasse Album. Das ist wirklich sehr gut „gealtert“
3.8/5 Best Track: High and Dry
Stones, U2 - and the paindriven voice of Thom Yorke …
Radiohead’s sophomore work is a massive step up from their debut in all aspects; while still far from their best work, The Bends is 90s alternative essential, which helps to establish the distinctive Radiohead sound which is further consolidated in their coming magnum opus. Stacked full of underrated tracks like Planet Telex, Just, Black Star to name a few, The Bends is always a reliably great listen.
it was really good i liked it a lot 4.5 stars
second radiohead album i listened to today... actually i think i like this better than kid A but maybe that's just because i listened to it more growing up
Hadn’t ever listened to Radiohead before this project (too nervous) and each of these albums is so good. The Bends is more my taste than Kid A actually, I’ve been listening to it all day and my Sunday has been great. Sorry that you had to suffer for my enjoyment Mr. Yorke 🫡
It's solid gold for me. From the era where everything was trying to copy Nirvana or Pearl Jam this shined through them all.
I know why people are into them now. Everyone took a page from these guy's book.
should be on the 101 best albums list
Some solid Radiohead. My first Radiohead album, in fact. Not 5 stars because I'm not sure it's aged that well.
Some good tunes. Just find Thom a bit whiney
I quite liked this.
Day 2- Expectations on what songs would be like were averted.
2nd favorite Radiohead album so far 👍
I understand now
EVERYTHING IISS... brooken,, DONT LEAVE ME HIIIIIII DONT LEAVE ME DRIIIIII Yeah thats some heat right there
Best Radiohead album don’t care what the dorks of reddit say
Disco muito bom, ajudou a derrubar boa parte dos estereótipos que tinha em torno da banda. Não é meu estilo favorito de rock, mas mesmo assim é um disco incrível. Bati cabeça em umas 5 músicas. 4/5
Pretty good
Audibly let out a "LETS GOOOO" when I loaded the page to see this was my album of the day. I went through a massive Radiohead phase as I was really getting into music (like many, many people I'm sure), and while I don't listen to them as much as I once did, I don't think they'll ever fully leave my pantheon of "Favorite Artists of All Time." Anyhoot, this album rocks. Perfect 90s alt-rock, Radiohead perfected the style and then got bored with it and made even better music the next few albums after this. But that doesn't take away from the excellent songs on this record. "Just" has long been a favorite of mine, highly recommend checking out the music video to that one as well. "Planet Telex" is the perfect way to start an album. "Street Spirit" is one of the best songs Thom ever wrote. There are some Radiohead albums I slightly prefer, but that doesn't stop this from being an easy 5 stars from me.
Very good
Great radiohead album with some great tracks but one of my leest favourites compared to their others
Exceptional album, great sounds Top tracks: High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Bullet Proof … I Wish I Was
I am not one of those people who is predisposed to think everything Radiohead did / does is great - I'm defo not that keen on OK Computer - but this album is just perfect. Definitely less gloomy and more classic rock, I think. Although I am wondering if I came to it at an impressionable age when I was still inclined to LOVE something and put on repeat (recall mini disc listening) and therefore familiarity bias.
Multi-layered, if one-song-overlong listen. Heard it years ago and it sounds much better now than it did then.
Been a pretty big Radiohead fan for sometime. While The Bends has never been my favorite of theirs as I started listening when In Rainbows came out, so I Was already more familiar with that. But I really do enjoy this album, I haven't listed to it in a few years now and am happy it came up now, as I have been spinning In Rainbows again. Great guitar songs on this one.
They probably have 3 better albums. Insane that their 4th best album is still a good 93/100.
I think it's good, but not great. I am a radiohead fan and I found this to be a bit whiny at times. It does have some great technical moments!
Väkevä bändi. Tämäkin varsin eheä kokonaisuus! 4/5
Vähän liian balladia mun makuun ollakseen 5 tähteä, mutta kyllähän radiohead kelpaa.
Kova levy ja etenkin alkupuoli aika ikoninen. Raskaammat rock-hetket tuntuu tässä vähän päälle liimatuilta eikä ole ihme, että bändi niistä pian luopui.
Tykkään kyllä tästä alkupään Radioheadin suoraviivaisemmasta rock-ilmaisusta myös! Tällä levyllä maistuu erityisesti menevämmät biisit ja kitaravallit. 4/5
hahaha nooooo
Notable Songs: The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, Bullet Proof, Spirit Street
Average.
Classic
5/5 - a perfect album in my mind. The way they effortlessly take the foot of the pedal into superb guitar riffs and chilling vocals is fucking cool. Let the haters think they’re cool
I prefer the Scroobius Pip version of Planet Telex tbh. Nah actually its kinda an underrated Radiohead song in my book. Chorus is nice. The Bends is a very 90s tune, perhaps the most Britpop-y Radiohead. It's still a tune also though. High and Dry is also just such a beautiful song, same for Fake Plastic Trees. The Bends starts so hot. Bones I guess sounds quite derivative of much other 90s alt rock. Bassline sounds a bit like Green Day, echoes of Oasis. Nice Dream sounds much more like a Radiohead song. Just is both a bit overplayed and underappreciated to me. The guitar lines have some of the first murmurings of what OK Computer would do - like the passage at 2:08 or in the verse along the line "One day he'll get to you And teach you how to be a holy cow". I'm not a big fan of the My Iron Lung chorus - if you can call it a chorus. I can give or take Bullet Proof. Blackstar is a bit of a ditty. Sulk is kinda boring to me. Street Spirit is haunting. The Bends is still a very decent mainstream rock album to me. 4.1/5
The Bends is obviously great but presumably we have at least 3 more radiohead albums to come, so I have to leave myself somewhere to go and my knob doesn't go to eleven. My ratings are a mess anyway.
A masterpiece.
Great reminder of the power of Radiohead
Amazing album - touches all the right notes. Leaves me in awe like the guy on the cover. What a fucking work of art from one of the most prolific bands of our generation. 5/5
The soundtrack of my teens. I remember listening to the line "Talking to my girlfriend, waiting for something to happen," and thinking I'll never have a girlfriend. Now all I do is talk to my girlfriend and wait for something to happen. Radiohead were the band for the weird kids who didn't dig Oasis. A little trite in places, but the crazy arrangements hide so much. "Just," "My Iron Lung," and "Street Spirit" are still incredible, and not quite like anything else at the time, almost grunge, semi-Britpop, 90s prog, but something else also. Better than OK Computer in terms of consistency.
"The Bends" is still one of my favorite albums by Radiohead. I think it is perfect post-grunge, alternative rock, and it has great avant-garde elements. It is even more impressive that it is one of its kind, among their own discography, especially. I'd probably give the album a 4.5, but I can't round down to 4, because I still sometimes think this may still be my favorite Radiohead album, if I had to only pick one...
Rock Radiohead is best Radiohead.
Noch nicht der Höhepunkt, aber man erkennt schon gut wo die Reise hin geht
Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, but this album has always left me a little cold. Not that I have thought it was bad, just that it doesn't compare to the magnificence of their other albums (though I have always found it to be better than Pablo Honey). Since I generally skip this one when I'm in a Radiohead mood, it was fun to listen to this with a "fresh" perspective. While I don't think it's a timeless classic like most of the rest of their catalogue, I still think it's a very goddamned good 90s rock album. I'm comfortable with 4 stars here.
Oh hell yeah, Radiohead! So many songs I adore in this one, so it's 4-5* before even listening to it as a whole. Highlights: High and dry, Fake plastic trees, My iron lung, Street spirit This album still holds up, 5*. On full album listen also liked Planet Telex, Bullet Proof (great guitar doodling), Black Star.
Not bad whatsoever, a solid 4. I love the variety in styles and chord progressions and rhythms. My only criticism is the lyrics aren’t really clear which is fair given the time this was recorded
OH Shit, not a single bad track on this album. Can't say enough about how much I love this album. Either way 5 stars!
Classic album, dad always played this in the car. So many brilliant songs that I love and feel a bit nostalgic as well. Described as alternative from 1995. 5/5.
Not even my favourite Radiohead album but it easily deserves 5 stars, that's how good they are!
good
Love.
Classic, absolutely amazing
It was ok. I listened to the whole album. I certainly didn't find anything I must listen to again, but equally nothing on there that forced me to stop listening. All a bit 'meh' really.
I've never quite been on the same Radiohead worship level as others, but I do think it's pretty enjoyable
Yea I can admit it's pretty damn good
fave tracks: high and dry, fake plastic trees, just, bullet proof, black star I enjoyed this album more than OK Computer, but my opinion could change
What an album!
Bangers
If there was a soundtrack to the first half of my 20s, it would just be the guitar on High and Dry. Like when I think of myself in those years cinematically, like a montage, the things I was doing, the women I was seeing, the late nights wandering New York smoking cigarettes at 3 AM at the foot of the Triboro bridge, drinking beers at the end of a lifeguard shift at the beach, driving half hung over and half drunk just as the sun was come up trying to get home and get showered before my girlfriend got home, writing letters to exes and thinking about where they were and how I could get back to them, roofing and tending bar and pawning my electric guitar for coke money and typing on my 1920s Remington… All of it playing under the guitar from High and Dry. And forget about Fake Plastic Trees. All that song does is break my heart wide open and leave me back when I told that blonde girl I was dating in college that it was over and I had to watch her walk away across the lawn and know what she would think of me the rest of our lives. I know now that she probably hardly ever thinks of me and if she does it’s probably just, like, nice, fond memories of what was essentially puppy love, but then—then, I was sure the heartbreak would haunt us both forever. And in a way it does, because Thom wrote this song and recorded it I listened to it then and something got seared into the place these things get seared into and so even if I no longer think of her that way, there’s this visceral memory, this felt sense that gets not just reactivated but relived every fucking time FPT plays. I’m realizing listening to these albums what a fucking sap I am and how not-over so many things I remain. Love the rest of the songs in this album too. They just don’t miss you know?
It’s one of those albums that makes me want to go plug in an amp and let some chords rip. Like taking a trip through a magically melancholy world for an hour.
A better album than OK Computer. Controversial? Quite possibly! Nearly got to 4*, but then got a bit moany and 'Radioheady'
Radiohead is a band that, for some reason, I've largely ignored over the years. Looking over my Last.FM profile, I've only ever spun 5 tracks from The Bends over the past decade, never the full album. I was impressed by its two strong openers, Planet Telex and the title track, leading me nicely into a state of sonic familiarity with High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees, both of which I enjoy and are true 90's classics. From here on, I was engaged and invested. I relished in this album more than I thought I would. A solid 4/5.
Now I love Radiohead, they’re one of my favorite bands. This however is definitely not one of my favorite albums by them. It’s a fine 90s alt rock album but it’s really nothing more than that. Maybe I just don’t have the nostalgic factor to it, but I like this album. I just don’t love it.
I don't know what to make of Radiohead - they capture the atmosphere of the UK in the 1990s and can sometimes sound depressing, but the overall sound and feel of the album is one that I like.
Radiohead is practically cheating. This album might be the final form of the early 90's.
I thought this was really great actually; my favorite was probably "Bones". 8/10
4/5. An interesting and depressing collection of songs with great guitarwork. Yorke is still finding his voice in this one but on the songs he got it figured out, it really stands out. The first half of the album is the highlight with some okay songs near the end. Overall though, a surprisingly good album that I wasn't expecting and gets better with each listen.
Sad boi soundtrack
Transfered me back to being a sad and angsty 16 years old.
My Iron Lung is still one of my favourite Radiohead songs. Having moved beyond this album preferring their newer output, it was great to listen again to it with fresh ears. It sounds more under-produced than I remember - perhaps 'less-well' produced is more accurate - but I love this album more than I remember. It is fresh and the songwriting holds up extremely well to this day. Nothing sounded like it at the time of its release, and I remember being unnerved by its unusualness in a great way - much like listening to the Pumpkins when they first arrived on my headphones. It's a fantastic album that isn't as cutting edge as their subsequent offerings but paved the way for OK Computer perfectly. A banger.
radiohead is on top
Tunes. Tunes. Tunes.
Redux review: 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 [side note - this comment hasn’t aged too well, but on the whole I still agree. There is also the run of tracks of Bulletproof - Sulk towards the end which, while still good, isn’t quite as strong as the rest of the album] Therefore 5s are going to be relatively sparse, and The Bends can make do with a comfortable 4
Favorite songs: high and Dry; fake plastic trees; bullet proof….I wish Melodic. Understated. Really solid.
Apart from Fake Plastic Trees, couple tracks enjoyable. but radiohead is definitely not a thing for me.
An album for a time
3.5
I wanted to hate this, but I didn't. I still hate their later records. Favorite song: Bones
Radiohead’s most “90s” album, in my opinion. I prefer their later stuff.
Not really a radiohead fan, but this is an alright album. It definitely catches their distinctive sound
It’s a pretty good album with some beautiful songs on it. Didn’t know much about Radiohead going in but was pleasantly surprised
Great Tracks but not the best Radiohead. 3/5
I liked this better than i remembered.
I’m going to be slightly more liberal in my rating due to the lack of half stars
I did not save a single song, but I get why people like Radiohead now
It was fine
I’m not a fan of Radiohead, too melancholic and dreary but actually it wasn’t too bad so a solid 3*
Not bad.
- My Iron Lung - Street Spirit 2.5/5
Could listen to it if it was playing. Nothing I would seek out though.
Known before: Yes Standouts: Just, Fake Plastic Trees, Planet Telex, My Iron Lung, Street Spirit (Fade out) 8/10
Known Before: band, album Standouts: High and Dry; Fake Plastic Trees; Just; Street Spirit (Fade Out) 8.5
Known before: Band/ some songs Standouts: 4. Fake Plastic Trees 8. My Iron Lung 12. Street Spirit 7.0
Known before: Yes, everything. Standouts: 03. High and Dry 04. Fake Plastic Trees 09. Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was Rating: 8.5
Known Before: Band/Lot of the songs Standouts: 3. High and Dry 4. Fake Plastic Trees 12. Street Spirit (Fade Out) 8.5
I think the only Radiohead album I'd listened to in its entirety before today was 2016's A Moon Shaped Pool, which I remember enjoying. I've heard for years and years how great Radiohead's albums are, but today was the first time that I've listened to one of their earlier albums. I really enjoyed listening to The Bends. Yesterday, I had the Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream, and this album was the perfect thing to listen to the next day. This album was absolutely beautiful from start to finish. I really enjoyed the guitar forward sound of this album, but the overall sound was so rich and deep; there were so many little bits of instrumentation that were peppered into each song, like the little chimes and strings on "Street Spirit." The keyboard playing was fantastic too, especially on "Fake Plastic Trees," and I really enjoyed Thom Yorke's vocals throughout the album. The production work was fantastic too; I can't imagine the work it took to get this rich sound. My only complaint is that things kind of dragged on "My Iron Lung" and "Bulletproof," but things picked right back up from "Black Star" to the end of the album. The first four tracks were probably my favorite part, but the whole album was great. Not only did I love and enjoy this album, but it was just a beautiful piece of music, and I think it's just objectively great. I wouldn't even know how to categorize this album, other than just tossing it under the generic umbrella of "alternative rock," but it feels like it stands outside of that label. I can't wait to be assigned the other Radiohead albums that are on this list.
Amazing
Radiohead - droning but has movement
Very pleasent and quirky
Finally another masterpiece of music yet this is only My 3rd or 4th favorite album by Radiohead depending on how I’m feeling. This one has a stronger alternative rock sound and fits that mold of 90s music. It’s probably one of the better 90s alternative albums. This is the album that made Radiohead great and showed they were going to do some interesting things. I could listen to this one any day it’s very consistent. 8.5/10
Excellent. Better and more rocking than I recall. Great production value. Johnny's guitar work, especially the twinkly guitars (Nice Dream) are noteworthy. Tom Yorke has an exceptional voice but generally annunciates rather poorly imo. My favorite songs are also the quieter (less rocking) tunes: Planet Telex (study chord changes to chorus) High and Dry Fake Plastic Trees (Nice Dream)
Absolutely love this album. Radiohead was a bit before my time, but I'm glad they have enough long time fans and critical recognition to keep them on my radar
Mostly like their hits
generell nicht in mood für radiohead, noch nie so der radiohead fan 1. 2.7/10 2. 5.3/10 3. 7.2/10 4. 5.9 5. 5 6. 4,5 6.
NOT a radiohead fan. Most overrated band in history. That being said, I had never really dug into this record. This album actually made me forget why I stray away from them. Okcomp and KidA get all the hype but this is a clean concise effort that delivers from the jump
Ok, je sais pas si je deviens lentement un fan de Radiohead, mais cet album là était vraiment meilleur que les autres. Moins de chignage et plus de rockage
Forgot how great this album is.
The Bends is one of those albums that really encapsulates what makes Radiohead absolutely incredible. Fake Plastic Trees is such a hauntingly beautiful song and never fails to make me extremely emotional. The entire album is like that, fully encapsulating ideas and 'vibes' and bringing life to them in a way you don't see from many bands, including on this list. It's the rare band that can truly capture magic like Radiohead can.
Tops the first album! Great rock music. Classic.
Just meh. Didn't love
Really liked it!
Moderate. Starting to tap more into the vein of what I like, but wasn't a huge fan.
Excellent 90s alt rock album. The vocal stylings and musicality on both the bass and guitar are superb. Fav tracks: Black Star, Bullet Proof ... I Wish I Was, My Iron Lung
Not ok computer.
Classic. Solid 5. I was super excited when this album came up for listening and enjoying it through the years but it had been a long time since listening straight through. Still finding new things to appreciate about it and see its influence on other groups.
I really like Radiohead
Starts off a little flat, but builds to something really beautiful. I don't know if Radiohead has made anything less than an excellent album, but this one is gorgeously crafted and highly listenable. I would recommend this as a nice entry point into the band. Fave Songs: High and Dry, Black Star, My Iron Lung, (Nice Dream), Fake Plastic Trees, Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was
Yet another classic of the 90's
Ja
damn, "male manipulator music" truly popped off with this one.
One of my favourite albums of all time...
Radiohead's first 3 albums are all incredible and music I listen to regularly. Best song - Just (though fake plastic trees is a very close second)
I liked it quite a lot - not as much though as other Radiohead albums early favorites: Fade Out, Just, The Bends
killer, historic, album
This a pretty solid album with a lot of interesting songs. I was familiar with songs like High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees and they kinda turned me off a little bit from this album because they were a little too soft/empty sounding for me. My favorite song was definitely Black Star. I also liked The Bends, Bones, and Just.
Never liked Radiohead but I think I get it now. It’s ok.
Kanker
Great album! Some very brash songs, but many beautiful ones.
One of the great albums by one of the great bands. This is the last "guitar" album that Radiohead made, and what a sendoff.
Top 100 of all time. One of the best bands of all time.
I'll admit that I have very little familiarity with this band though I have been led to understand by friends and by the press that I might like it. I heard a playthrough of "In Rainbows" at the Dead & Co shows in Boulder in 2023 during set break and it reminded me that I needed to check these guys out. Fade to now, definitely interesting stuff. I suspect that Wilco, Beck and Radiohead are some of the only enduring music to come out of this era.
I’ve listened to Radiohead before but never a full album all the way through. Enjoyed it but did feel like some of the songs were very similar. High and Dry was one of my favorite songs in high school so bonus points for that.
Really enjoyed the vibe. No skips and cohesive enough where you can just play it through w/o stopping. Listened to it quite a bit. Lacking any standout song which demands I keep going back to a particular track. Kind of reminds me of coldplay a little bit but less pop-ish/contrived (?)
Never been able to get into Radiohead
I’ll admit there’s a strong nostalgia factor here but I do just love this album
More generic rock than their layer experimental albums but this album really showcases Thom Yorkes fantastic voice. “(Nice dream)” into “just” is probably my favorite part of the album
Maybe less edgy and annoying than Pablo Honey but very conventional and some bad lyrics for Radiohead. It’s kind of wild the progression they had to make OK Computer and Kid A after this. Just and My Iron Lung are the highlights.
Got it as a christmas present in 1995 (or maybe 1996?), one of the first albums i ever owned, and haven't stopped listening to it since. soundtrack to my adolescence, for better or worse.
not in the mood for radiohead
I feared that my affection for the later Radiohead albums would taint my view of the slightly earlier catalogue, however I forgot how much of a BANGER this is. They can do no wrong. Just is a certified MTV2 classic. Just brilliant.
Powerhouse of an album with not a bad track in sight. Such an anomalous band, nothing like them before or since in my book.
I expected to like it as much as I have in the past but something this time around didn’t hit me the way that it had in prior listens. Still, too many gems, and the songs flow so beautifully from one to the next, to rate it below a four.
Didn’t love the whole album, but loved about half the songs. Very melancholy as usual for Radiohead, but great in its own right
Important and transitional album from Pablo Honey to OK Computer (also on this list). The production and spacey-but-still-guitar-laden sound are on another level from their previous album and start to give the band their current well-known identity. The lyrics are like first- or third-person fables, somewhat blunt and overly angsty but again working toward the more abstract, sweeping commentary that was to come. Not my favorite Radiohead album but still a great one.
1. Musical Style: "The Bends" represents a significant shift in Radiohead's sound from their debut album "Pablo Honey." While the earlier album had a more straightforward alternative rock and grunge style, "The Bends" showcases the band's evolution towards a more complex and experimental sound. It incorporates elements of alternative rock, post-punk, and hints of electronic experimentation, setting the stage for their groundbreaking work in later albums. 2. Songwriting: The album is renowned for its thought-provoking and emotionally charged lyrics. Thom Yorke's songwriting on "The Bends" explores themes of alienation, disillusionment, and personal introspection. The lyrics are often introspective and emotionally intense, resonating with many listeners. 3. Notable Tracks: "Street Spirit (Fade Out)": This haunting and melancholic track is one of the album's standouts, featuring Yorke's ethereal vocals and evocative lyrics. "Fake Plastic Trees": Known for its poetic and slightly surreal lyrics, this song is a moving commentary on consumerism and urban life. "High and Dry": A beautifully melodic and accessible song with memorable guitar work and Yorke's emotive vocals. "Just": An uptempo, edgy track that reflects Radiohead's ability to create intense, rocking moments. 4. Production and Sound: Nigel Godrich, who would later become a crucial collaborator for Radiohead, played a significant role in the album's production. The soundscapes are rich and layered, featuring a blend of electric and acoustic instrumentation. The mix of Jonny Greenwood's inventive guitar work, Colin Greenwood's basslines, Phil Selway's drumming, Ed O'Brien's guitar contributions, and Thom Yorke's distinct vocals created a unique sonic palette that set them apart from their contemporaries. 5. Impact: "The Bends" was a critical and commercial success upon its release and marked a turning point in Radiohead's career. It's often seen as a bridge between the band's early rock-oriented work and the more experimental sound they'd explore on "OK Computer" and subsequent albums. The album's success helped Radiohead gain a devoted fanbase and established them as a force to be reckoned with in the alternative music scene. 6. Legacy: "The Bends" is regarded as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s and a classic of the alternative rock genre. Its influence can be heard in the work of numerous bands that followed. The emotional depth and musical innovation on display in this album set the stage for Radiohead's continued evolution as a band. In conclusion, "The Bends" is a timeless album that showcases Radiohead's growth and artistic maturity. Its combination of introspective lyrics, innovative sound, and memorable melodies makes it a must-listen for fans of alternative and rock music, and it remains a cornerstone of Radiohead's discography.
I see it’s merit however it was not my fav
All killer, no filler
Not much to say here, it's radiohead
5/7, a perfect score
Nr. 7/1001 Planet Telex 3/5 The Bends 4/5 High And Dry 3/5 Fake Plastic Trees 4/5 Bones 3/5 (Nice Dream) 3/5 Just 2/5 My Iron Lung 2/5 Bulletproof... I Wish I Was 3/5 Black Star 3/5 Sulk 3/5 Street Spirit (Fade Out) 3/5 Average: 3 I really wish to be able to get into Radiohead, since they are so universally acclaimed. I just can't...
Been a while since I listened to this, im a massive radiohead fan but havent been close to their early work, this was an amazing rediscover.
Great album, love hearing how vulnerable the vocals sound sometime. Also the guitar riffs are solid
One of the worst lazy eye albums but still a 5
Street Spirit is a 5* track in itself.
I wish this generator would give multiple albums from the same band in chronological order so you can hear their development. From what I recall, this sounds like a precursor to "OK Computer". Some of the grungy songs are little dated, but overall pretty good. Again, I can't understand most of the lyrics but that suits his voice. It's good, but from what I can tell on the wiki, would have been better to discover it in '95. 3.8
Maybe the 5th best Radiohead album but shit STILL slaps. Great band.
Classic
Coassic
Better than I remembered, 2 memeroble songs, one sing along
too much noise
Great Album.
Forgotten how much I love this album.
Jesus what an album
Went so crazy
its fine, not a huge radiohead guy i guess.
A lot familiar but plenty new to me.
Great compilation of Radiohead rock songs
i obviously just don’t like radiohead but i just don’t get it.
A classic
very 90s. two huge songs. it’s radiohead. liked more than I thought i would
Terrific album - one of Radiohead’s best.
Droning , difficult to understand but backups up by some beautiful melodies