Reviews (page 13 of 15)
I’ve loved High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees since the 90’s. Always been favorites of mine. Fake Plastic Trees especially means a lot to me. Oh, Just is good too, when they still had that rock guitar solo! I remember that one. And My Iron Lung! The rest I don't remember as well, but it's growing on me! Funny enough, I feel like the title track now just sounds very Britpop. "I wish it was the 60s. I wish we could be happy." Man that was very much the 90s sentiment wasn't it? Now we wish it was the 90s... This is at least a 4.5... this is phenomenal record!
I like King of Limbs bedder lol if you don’t you kinda blow lol
Better than Pablo Honey but definitely still sounds really rooted in the 90s to me, as compared to the timelessness of later Radiohead albums.
Its ok. Some of the guitar riffs were pretty good but overall not really my style.
So fantastic songs and baseline grunge tunes, but it lacks the musical identity of many Radiohead albums. Still a solid listen.
Lovely album by Radiohead, it’s hard to say it’s their best though, I’m sure some would argue. Not my favourite style of Radiohead, but very, very good.
I had high expectations coming into The Bends, our second Radiohead album in two weeks. I don’t hate the album, but I do feel a little let down. “High and Dry” is one of the stronger songs on the album, but I do wonder how it has 350 million plays on Spotify. At best it’s a combination of other mid-nineties acoustic alternative, and at worst it’s some piss-drunk fella’s idea of a good karaoke song at Griff’s on dollar-PBR night. “Fake Plastic Trees” is not only a sobering reminder of our gilded consumerism, but an admission that we may even be too far gone. I find a couple of the songs (like “Bones” and “Just”) to be irritating, especially the vocals, but maybe Radiohead is more of an acquired taste than I’d thought. The album does finish strong with “Street Spirit” though. I’m not sure how justified this is or where it comes from, but it channels Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 for me. Diving deeper into Radiohead’s catalog, first with In Rainbows and now with The Bends, I’m just realizing that maybe I don’t like them all that much. There are some decent songs on this album, but there’s not enough here to be anything other than a three.
SO -- Street Spirit, Just, My Iron Lung
Now this is how you do a depressing album. Consistency and don’t change the mood. Whoever bought this would have done so because of a single song hoping the rest would reflect a similar mood and they do! In the right frame of mind this would be spot on.
voi pirulainen vieköön... vieköön lapset kauas kauas pois... tulkoon kylään ja vieköön lapsent...huonompi albumi mitä muistin. perkl...perkl.. kauan on kärsitty. kuuakuden sisään KOLMAS!!!! KOLMAS (3) radiohedi... jaksa rupee mitän alanisoida, vittu hyvä albumi kyllähän tämä kelpaa olisi voinut ylläpitö vähän levittää näitä mutta noh.. street spirit
Another banger! This is when Radiohead became Radiohead!
For the first time I had a reaction to a Radiohead album..which was “oh this is Brit Pop that grew up”
For my money this is their best album. I find that Radiohead spans from "this is fine" to "shut the heck up you pretentious ass", but for whatever reason The Bends absolutely clicks with me and I genuinely think it's a masterpiece. The rest of their stuff can leave this list and this can stay.
Pretty solid, but didn't hit me that hard. I think I prefer Ok Computer, Kid A, and In Rainbows over this, but still pretty good.
Muito bom.
Good one
High and Dry Fake Plastic Trees Nice Dream Just Street Spirit
Starts strong, but too many forgettable droney songs in the second half.
Are Radiohead the coldplay of soft rock?
its radiohead
One of my favorite albums of all time. Brings back so many memories. Had a great night listening to this.
Awesome album. Classic Radiohead
Music to have break up sex too, with the gravy stroke being just. The remaining songs are a mixture of feelings including angry, happy and rubbing out out cause it was kinda hot
Hated it then… still hate it
A favorite
As a fan of Radiohead, I am biased, but this is one of the best alt-rock albums out there. ‘Planet Telex’, the title track, ‘High And Dry’, Fake Plastic Trees’, ‘Just, ‘My Iron Lung’, ‘Street Spirit’. All recognizable songs from this album. That’s over half the tracklisting. Can you really argue with that? (yeah, but I guess I’m making a point)
This was the album where Radiohead moved from one-hit-wonder to being a force to reckon with. Everything after this came with a much greater freedom for self-indulgence. This was also the last guitar-based album from them, a sore point for some fans. When I was a contractor I did a job for a couple of months with someone who insisted on playing the first few tracks of this album, then skipping to Street Spirit, then back to the start again, over and over, all day long. The "missing" tracks have always felt fresher to me due to this and the first few I've heard so often I literally struggle for them to not just slip by my brain without even realising what I'm listening to. High and Dry starts up, then the next thing I know we're into Just and everything in between was a blur. It's a great album, not a perfect album like OK Computer, but not far off and the few dips in consistency can easily be ignored. As soon as I saw this come up I knew it was another 5-star rating, one that's definitely deserved.
An all time classic, one of my very favourite artists and perhaps their best collection of songs - although that is obviously far from certain. Was never going to be anything less than 5, but listening again reminded me why I love this band so much
My appreciation of this album continues to grow every time I listen. So many of these songs start unassuming and by the end they absolutely fucking take off like a rocket. Jonny Greenwood is like ground control, making sure Thom makes it through the atmosphere into outer space. The only thing that keeps this from being 5 stars for me is, it's not even in my top 3 Radiohead albums - probably top 5 though.
There was a time, before Kid A came out, that I would've given this 5 stars. But like the Beatles, Stones, etc., the heights they went on to reach ended up making their quite excellent initial output almost pale in comparison. These are good songs, but the thing that I really love about Radiohead is the texture. There are glimmers of that here, but it doesn't create a completely immersive atmosphere. Also, a fair amount of these tracks are emotional songs about interpersonal relationships, etc. When this came out that worked for me, since that was still an important aspect of my life. But as I get older, I simply prefer wallowing in the existential dread they went on to perfect in subsequent albums.
Radiohead is my fav band but this is not a 5. There are some duds that are just “okay” like High and Dry, Bones, and Sulk. There are still some amazing tracks like Fake Plastic Trees, My Iron Lung, and Street Spirit to name a few. Maybe in a vacuum where this was their only album it would be a 5 but, just a sign of what’s to come!
Always been a banger
Couple classic songs from radiohead. Generally I found the album a bit depressing.
classic
Las primeras canciones no me han llamado demasiado la atención, pero llegando a High and Dry ya si ha empezado a interesarme más. Fake Plastic Trees preciosa, ha sido mi primer wow moment del disco. Me gustan mucho más las canciones así más rollo lentito que las tipo rockeras. Me gust, aunque no me ha cambiado la vida. 3'5/5
I mean jeez, this might be up there with albums I’ve heard the most in my life and while it’s no longer probably my favorite Radiohead album full-stop the way that it was, it’s still almost endlessly singalong-able and features many of their best, most anthemic tracks. I still love it wholeheartedly.
Rad
By the end of 1994, you'd have been forgiven for thinking that Radiohead were a one hit wonder at the tail end of their 15 minutes of fame. Suddenly The Bends comes out to prove everyone wrong. Not only had they created more great singles, but they've crated them into a near perfect album. Quite a leap from their humble debut of Pablo Honey. It's hard not to compare it to their later, earth-shattering work. But the truth is that this album holds up very well, especially when you're seeking some 90s nostalgia. This was the album that proved Radiohead are a force to be reckoned with.
Not a fan, skip.
A main influence on English bands post-Britpop, this album brought Radiohead out of one hit wonder territory and led them further into their experimental territory. I really like the blend of influences from Pop, Grunge, and their own brand of esoteric oddness. Not my favorite album from them, but an interesting point in their and UK''s music development. Quite the sophomoric effort
Although Radiohead would come to be known for their more experimental and transcendent albums following it, The Bends is itself an engaging and substantially transcendent album. Radiohead just has a knack for getting you to feel something so deeply that you wouldn't expect to resonate so beautifully. The album is an incredibly cohesive project, and the tracks all flows together flawlessly. The guitar work and vocals are some of the finest of Britpop too. Great album to be gloomy to, but also great to just think and to vibe to. Standout tracks: [Nice Dream], My Iron Lung, Black Star, Street Spirit (Fade Out) ---------------------------------------- Individual Song Ratings: Planet Telex - Fantastic The Bends - Fantastic High and Dry - Fantastic Fake Plastic Trees - Fantastic Bones - Fantastic [Nice Dream] - Masterpiece Just - Masterpiece My Iron Lung - Fantastic Bulletproof... I Wish I Was - Fantastic Black Star - Masterpiece Sulk - Fantastic Street Spirit (Fade Out) - Masterpiece Rating Average: 4.3 Final Album Rating: 5
Fuck yeah, The Bends. I'm more of a playlist kind of guy, and I don't listen to a lot of albums from start to finish, but "The Bends" is one of them. A true classic.
IMO this is mid Radiohead. Not on the same level as OK Computer but I like it a lot better than Kid A.
Une preuve que Radiohead fait de l’excellent rock plus conventionnel. Un groupe hors pair
Love this ablum
10/10 No notes. Perfect.
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I liked it more than I thought I did or would
4/5
How is it possible I received this the day after Ok Computer? The list is really trying to make me like Radiohead and I think it has done it for me. This is of course much more straightforward than Ok Computer but is an excellent alt rock album. It is truly ahead of its time and while doing this list I’ve discovered I really hate 90s British rock but this doesn’t feel like that at all. Added to playlist: The Bends in a tight race with High and Dry
Radiohead is a band for insufferable people. And I am insufferable for this band. Their music has captured me for so long now, I can't think of a time in the last year and a half where I wasn't absolutely in love with Radiohead. I only have my high school art teacher to blame for that. I got into them because of him. So getting the excuse to hear The Bends all the way through again under the new lens of having heard all of their other albums was exciting. In all honesty, The Bends is probably the album from Radiohead I listen to the least. On first listen, I didn't really get most of the songs on this. But that was nearly 2 years ago. The Bends is kind of an interesting album, because it came so soon after Pablo Honey. Nothing about Pablo Honey was really special. Other than Creep, almost no waves were made with that album. Radiohead was just another angsty indie alt rock band. The Bends changed that perception. Because this is something much more special than Pablo Honey. The complexity and songwriting is so many worlds better than its predecessor, it amazes me there was only a two year gap in between these two. Thom Yorke's voice sounds so insanely young on this, but it only works as proof that his vocal capabilities have not faltered one bit since this album was released. There is definitely something juvenile about how everyone plays their instruments on this, but it fits the wild and unleashed energy of the whole album. Planet Telex is the first song I ever heard from them, and I can remember it immediately blowing me away, even if the rest of the album didn't at the time. It was the first song of theirs that I fell in love with, and I still regard it highly today. I love the build up after the post-chorus in the title track, plus the guitar work on the bridge of that same song is also amazing. High and Dry proved that they were still capable of making big hits for charts, but I personally prefer Fake Plastic Trees. Just is easily the most chaotic song on the record, and feels like a bad hair day in the best way possible. The main guitar on My Iron Lung is crunchy, but the chorus borders on grunge, like something you might hear on a Nirvana record. Black Star is an interesting song, because it's great, but it feels as if you are coming into an ongoing song that they chose to cut and fade in. And Street Spirit is a fantastic closer, and feels like something that wouldn't be too out of place on Hail To the Thief. I think The Bends is about as fine tuned as a sophomore album can get. They took their sound in a different direction, while still keeping the alternative energy flowing through, and hit the jackpot. This laid the groundwork for everything they would come to make in the future. It isn't Thom and his band mates at their absolute best, but it was a damn good step in the right track.
i MUCH prefer post ok-computer radiohead. but this one is probably my favourite album from this era of the band. also the first radiohead album i ever listened to :) fav songs: the bends, fake plastic trees, just, my iron lung, bullet proof...i wish i was, street spirit.
I listened to this so much as a teenager. Even though I don’t listen to it was much these days it’s seared into my brain.
Fake Plastic Trees still beautiful. (Nice Dream) is a great deeper cut. Some iconic riffs on Just and My Iron Lung. No real misses.
This is my favorite Radiohead album, because I'm basic like that. While I think that OK Computer is the obviously better album, I have a stronger connection to this one. "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" and "Just" are both in my Top 5 most played songs of all time according to Last.fm. Definitely a no skip album, just an amazing trip from the first to the last song.
"Repetitive Grunge Cacophony". I like Kid A and Amnesiac pretty well, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood are musicians I admire, they generally do cool stuff with harmony and dissonance, but I found this album tedious.
Meh. Didn't like it 30 years ago. Sad to say I still don't.
Great album, only a couple weaker tracks.
Lots of songs that I skipped. It has elements that I like, but nothing fit together into a song I actually enjoyed.
Great album, second to Uzi
This one was pretty darn cool
Not my favorite radiohead album but still a really great listen. Some truly excellent songs on this album. "Just" and "The Bends" lay down a strong rock background for slow emotional songs like "High and Dry" and "Fake Plastic Trees" to really shine. Many songs even fusing slow ballads with moments of overdriven pulsing rock like on "My Iron Lung". This album, like most radiohead, highlights both the moaning sadness and outright anger in Thom Yorke's voice and makes wonder "who hurt you dude"
5 stars don't even need to listen to confirm
This one really faded into the background for me. Nothing in particular stood out either positive or negative.
Good jams. Not particularly my style but still good music.
Bom demais
Jag älskar ju Radiohead! Och, något jag inte tänkt på förut, men det måste Jocke Berg också gjort. Mycket låter exakt som Kent (eller ja, tvärtom). Och det är lika bra. På det där vemodiga sättet som passar så bra nu till hösten. The Bends känns dock lite mer upplyftande, även om texterna ofta är deppiga. Har lyssnat och lyssnat men kan inte riktigt hitta något fel på det här albumet. Gillar extra mycket 'High and Dry', 'Fake Plastic Trees', 'Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was', 'Black Star'. Men, i avslutningen stegras allt, när Thom Yorkes ljuvlighet sköljer över mig och får mig att vilja starta om albumet på en gång. 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' är så perfekt en avslutningslåt kan bli, i all sin enkelhet. Har funderat på om detta är en fyra eller femma. När jag går igenom låtlistan gillar jag ju allt skarpt. Det finns inget dåligt, och höjderna är absolut fem plus. Dock är det inte någon självklar femma jag ger. Men jag ger den ändå - för det är september och mörkt ute. Bästa låt: Street Spirit (Fade Out).
Phenomenal 90s rock
I struggle with this album. On the one hand, I quite enjoy it as an easily enjoyable Radiohead release. Like Radio-Disney Radiohead, if Radio Disney was all sad-boy pretense and cheese. And on that same hand, I actually quite like all the pretense and cheese. And really appreciate the Bends in a campy way. A good listen for when I feel like feeling like a post-pubescent boy again. On the other hand, I don't feel like feeling like a post-pubescent boy very often, which makes this album a tough listen most days. On the former hand, the production and music itself is so phenomenal that I *almost* don't feel cringe-y listening to and enjoying Thom Yorke's lost croon most days either. Then again, the latter hand: the real problem I have with this album is it is impossible to separate from everything it inspired. All the Coldplay and Muse and radio-friendly alt rock of the 21st century that Radiohead undoubtedly spawned even as they took off in another direction all together. I hear every good song here over the closing credits on some cringey-tween drama of the era, or on, like, the OC. So yeah. It's a chicken and an egg thing maybe. If this album existed in a vacuum I suppose I'd like it as much as I appreciate it, perhaps. And—on the former hand again—just the idea that Radiohead ever sounded like a perfect band to soundtrack the OC is kind of amazing. And it is undoubtedly the same concept that made Thom Yorke and co. tear off in that other direction we most love his band for today. So it's important they ever sounded like this. I'll round up to a 4.
Thom Yorke is a genuinely weird frontman for the band Radiohead almost became. We have more context for what Radiohead would turn into than the band themselves had in 1995. They seem to have no idea that they are about to break hugely influential ground. On this release they sound significantly more tethered to the times. This album has almost more resemblance to something like Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill of the same reason than to OK Computer— let alone Kid A / Amnesiac. As a mid-career Radiohead fan, there’s little you can grasp onto— other than “weird chords”— that doesn’t have a tiny smattering of 90’s Britpop attached. But you can definitely see some glimpse of what might have been… if the band had just listened to one too many A&R men, flew a little too close to the sun imitating the success of Creep, gone for more radio. In that future, we don’t get Weird Yorke. We only get worse music. So it’s a weird listen! But I like it! Fake plastic trees is a favorite. 4/5
This is my second Radiohead album that I have gotten in this generator. This one is their second studio album. Upon first inspection, I didn't think I knew any of the songs on this album, but as soon as Just started playing I was hit with a wave of nostalgia that instantly transported me back to middle school. That song was included in a Much Music compilation album, Big Shiny Tunes. I loved those records, and I had completely forgotten about that song! Overall, better than the other Radiohead record I've reviewed (In Rainbows). This album was more firmly rooted in alternative rock, and just flowed better in my mind. Favourite songs: Just, Bones, High and Dry, The Bends, Black Star Least favourite songs: Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was, Fake Plastic Trees, (Nice Dream), Street Spirit (Fade Out) 3/5
Zo goed, zo luisterbaar, en zeer invloedrijk.
A true classic which I have heard many times, but haven't listened to in one sitting in quite a while. Thoroughly enjoyable.
i can fucking soak in thom yorke's voice on sweet spirit (fade out) it fucks dick 10/10 would fuck dick again
I really enjoyed this album, i was really surprised by how much i did.
Not a bad album by any means, but I just prefer Radiohead's later work. The Bends feels a bit underdeveloped, like they were trying a lot of things to see what works before settling in on a more consistent sound. That being said, it's interesting and unique enough to catch and maintain my attention and that's worth something.
easy 5
Goood vibes abit of too much noise for me.
Moodier, pessimistic and sarcastic compared to Pablo Honey's more raw rock and roll. The Bends has a more ethereal sound to it which is somehow incredibly catchy yet somber. This is not Britpop, this is not Grunge, it is simply an alternative to everything else out at the time. It was way over my 13-year old head at the time. I wanted Thom Yorke to just shut up and let me listen to Green Day and the Offspring instead. As an adult this hits so very different. From the sarcastic rebellion of My Iron Lung to the absurdity of Fake Plastic Trees, this is another example of a bands transformation. In this case, we see their disillusion with the industry and their desire to make their music their own. Unique groovy earworms that stick with you both musically and lyrically. 4* for me. I prefer OK Computer through Amnesiac, but can completely understand why some would prefer this.
I purchased Radiohead’s The Bends along with OK Computer at the same time after a co-worker and friend insisted I give Radiohead another chance. Strangely enough, both albums had the exact same effect on me during that first listen: I didn’t like them at all. But over time, something clicked. The more I revisited them, the more they revealed themselves to me, and now I can’t imagine not having either of them in my collection. Maybe Radiohead was simply ahead of its time musically, or maybe it just took me a while to mature in my musical appreciation. Either way, The Bends has become one of my all-time favorite albums, easily landing in my Top 15. It carries a heavy sense of melancholy throughout, but it’s completely absorbing. Once I put it on, I have to hear it all the way through.
I feel sad :(
my first review got me eating bread for breakfast
The message of 'Everyone is broken' is a real powerful statement to have at the start of an album. It sets this tone for a dystopia. I love hearing the emotion in his voice. Love when singers have little cracks and imperfections in their songs. It makes it feel so raw and like real emotions. One of the reasons my favourite band is Korn is because he is so real with his feelings and that is projected through his voice. You can really hear his struggle with mental health and that he is a broken man. Fake plastic trees is such a beautiful song, one of my favourites. I love how he gets really high pitched and drags out syllables of some words and the repetition of 'It wears him out'. Also really appreciated 'Just'. I found it so catchy and repetitive and relatable. 'Black Star' is definitely one of my new favourites now. It had so much emotion and it just made sense to me. There were times during the final song where I felt like time was running out. It sounds like a cry for help. Very emotionally powerful album.
Reeeee radiohead
Still as good as I remember. One of my favorite albums of all time.
Sometime in the summer of 1995 I bought this album as part of a buy 3 for £20 offer (what the other 2 CDs were is lost to history) My mate Simon saw The Bends in my bag and said I’d just bought one of the greatest albums I’d ever hear. He wasn’t wrong I listened to this and OK Computer religiously for about 5 years until Kid A came along and the umbilical cord that drew me to Radiohead snapped So how does this sound with 20 years of dust on it? Still sounds amazing Not a bad moment let alone a bad track Flawless
overall, i liked some of the songs, but most of them were not my favorites. some songs in the album felt way too loud, chaotic, and overwhelming, probably because i just don’t like hard rock. black star and sulk were not bad though. but i did really like the more acoustic vibe of high and dry, fake plastic trees, and street spirit (fade out). those reminded me of coldplay.
This is such a fascinating listening knowing what Radiohead will eventually become. There are hints of their later brilliance on this album, but it’s so WEIRD hearing things like Thom York annunciating in that stereotypical Britpop cadence on the title track. At the end of the day this is not the best Radiohead album, but it is an incredible alt/indie record for the mid 90s. Songs like High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees are Pop songs, but they’re outstanding Pop songs. Great record with some tracks that probably could have been cut, just not fully realized.
Good album. Not my fave Radiohead choice.
James said this music wasnt made for me
Cool, but hard to see it as anyone’s favorite Radiohead album. Might be a 3, but I just love music
After their initial generic alternarock debut album (albeit with a few cracking tracks) Radiohead find their form with The Bends. A great listen from start to finish and full of many tracks that stand out on their own. Happy to listen to again and again.
The Bends gets knocked for being on the simple side for Radiohead, but idc I've always liked this one a lot.
Meh
Hey look it's Radiohead before they were the only band that exists! At least the discourse around The Bends is much less insufferable. I just refuse to see Radiohead as great innovators, just because a bunch of Pixies fans with no prog literacy whatsoever said so. Don't get me wrong, resolving the tension between punk and prog is no mean feat, but that's what Radiohead did on OKC and beyond, not tear open the mortal firmament to call down a holy sound never before imagined. There's just SO MUCH rhetorical baggage with Radiohead, but trying to take The Bends on its own merits... it's nice. Fits into a well established and pleasant tradition. A couple cute pop songs, that are only kinda samey. Some nice melodies, some fun fuzz. Street Spirit is absolutely the highlight. Perfectly acceptable.
I have mixed feelings in general about Radiohead, I sometimes feel like they’re a bit too pretentious. So coming into this I was a bit reserved, also due to the fact that I’ve heard this album before but it didn’t stick that well. But I was actually pleasantly surprised, I especially think the latter part was very strong. ‘Fade out’ was already among my liked songs, but ‘Bullet proof… I wish I was’ is a new addition!
Classic album. Hadn't actually listened to the whole thing but was pleasantly surprised. Sad and introspective without being too navelgazey. A lot better than "Pablo honey" but not quite as good as "Ok Computer" in my book.
10/10
My very first concert was R.E.M., with a one-hit wonder opening for them. Or so me and my friend thought. We were walking through the hall of the arena and hearing this soaring voice. “What is this. It’s incredible. This is the ‘Creep’ band?” We hurried out into the main arena to our seats and watched Radiohead perform an incredible set. We were hooked, and I’ve been hooked since.
Guitarrero y melódico a partes iguales. En ocasiones más gamberro, en otras, más relajado. Buena voz. Un tanto rock sucio
This is another easy 5. It may not be as artistically creative as the later albums but it is still a great listen front to back. Definitely inspired other bands such as Muse, Coldplay etc. Fav track: Fake Plastic Trees
This was very good! I never really gave them a chance but the record is great. Sometimes a bit too whimsical but mostly great
-Didn’t write a BL- AL: I thought this album was decent - good even, but I’m gonna have to say it - I still don’t quite get the Radiohead hype, so many people think it’s one of my worst musical takes - but to me they seem like any standard 90s alt-rock band - The Smashing Pumpkins have a much more compelling discography as far as I’m concerned. This album was pretty good, and “high and dry” still holds a lot of emotional weight to me having heard it at a specific time in my life which it struck a massive chord at the time. FT: “High and Dry”, “Fake Plastic Trees”, “Black Star” 3/5
It tough to judge a Radiohead album I'm not familiar with since a few others I know so well are will be instant 5-stars for me. The Bends has the same dread and drama of their other releases, but tends to be too non-specific or repetitive to really grasp me for the full runtime. 7/10
Melancholy but sublime
High 4 but have to save room on the S tier for other Radiohead albums
Radiohead still coming into their own and already very good. I think the idea of them as this super grim mopey band is mostly a stereotype, but it is reinforced by this one, probably their mopiest album. (There’s literally a song called Sulk. I mean. Come on.) Beneath all the dreary moods there are some gorgeous melodies on quality songs, a great mix of rockers and ballads and mid-tempo combos with big choruses. Instrumentally they’re nothing particularly special yet, but Thom Yorke’s ghostly wail is already here and pretty powerful in my book. Best song: Street Spirit (Fade Out)
listened to this in the perfect atmosphere: absolute chaos and sense of impending doom. still sounds quintessentially radiohead despite not being as far into their discography. best tracks: high and dry, nice dream, black star
Classic! One of my favs all time.
My face when I hear alternative music album The Bends by English rock group Radiohead. Last song best song.
Highlights: "Just," "Black Star," "My Iron Lung," "(Nice Dream)" Was surprised by the turn this takes in the second half. Thought this was chosen to represent a period of the band's more straightforward early work, but Greenwood's oscillating trail forays are even more pronounced on some of these tracks than on OK Computer, and Yorke gives much stronger and more impassioned performances here than he has for most of his career. They've never done anything much weirder or edgier than "My Iron Lung," but that's not really their strong suit. It doesn't linger on the creative, interesting choices that push this towards something more than an alt-rock record. It is still true that the album suffers from trying to have clear-cut and familiar song structures, and it doesn't have a cohesive arc as an album.
Really enjoyable, impressed with how strong this album is from start to finish
When Radiohead wrote actual songs they were majestic, epic, peerless. Better than all their peers from Britpop, the band Coldplay and others would dream of being. Everything on here shows the absolute return to structure and melody that they later decided they were against when they drifted into sound and mood. Every track stands up to listening and all the grunge and indie pretenders on this list would dream they had nailed it the way Radiohead did it on this. An absolute masterpiece and deserving of its position in the all time lists.
3.5/5 Out of the two Radiohead albums I have listened to, I knew less about this one. I didn't recognize any of the songs. It felt kinda sad and pessimistic. The musical quality was good. I just couldn't get into the lyrics or something. I'll have to revisit it
What an album to return to the project with! Thank God. All killer no filler for me, this is an album I own a physical copy of so bias is definitely at play, but I think the music deserves the top rating.
Black Star is fantastic
Excellent characteristic indie. It is fresh melodic, with little gestures of the later Radiohead in some of the arrangements. Genuinely an extremely enjoyable album but not quite the heights of OK Computer and In Rainbows.
Owned this one for a long time. Fave is Fade Out.
When I was younger I had this guy I knew that loved Radiohead. He was a trash person and had bad music taste. I want the instrumental version without the whiny vocalist.
Though it reached number four on the UK Albums Chart, The Bends failed to build on the success of "Creep" (Radioman's only good song according to factual sources) outside the UK. Just, Fade out Also that album cover is cheeks
🤡🤡🤡 2.5/5
don't love it as much as I did in 90's and early 2000s but still a solid album
Good stuff, I was very familiar with this album, but it was probably almost a decade since I last listened.
Baby's got the bends
I loved every minute of it. An album that must be played loud rather than quietly.
Radiohead's first "all-time classic" in a career of at least 3 or 4 all-time classics.
The Bends aged remarkably well over 25 years. Six out of five stars.
Tre stjerner
Da e greit, men litt kjedelig
The sound they were looking for is coming into focus now and would, in my opinion be perfected on the next studio album (OK, Computer).
Magnificent!
Radiohead's transitional album. It has a couple of great songs (high and dry, fake plastic trees and street spirit) but they haven't quite put it all together at this point.
An amazing album, almost 0 boring songs.everything from till after my iron lung are BANGERS.fake plastic trees and just are some of my favourite songs.I just love the guitar work and the vocals.It’s just such good rock.
This is a great album, realized I added every track to the standouts list. I've been a big Radiohead fan for a long time and think this album doesn't always get the recognition some of the others do but was an incredible step forward that kept them from being considered one hit wonders and is a great bridge to what they would go on to do. I've got to give it a 5/5. Standout Tracks: Planet Telex, The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Bones, (Nice Dream), Just, My Iron Lung, Bullet Proof ..... I Wish I Was, Black Star, Sulk, Street Spirit (Fade Out)
The 1-2 punch combo of Just and My Iron Lung put this over the hump from 3 stars to 4. Def there is a LOT of great stuff on here, and it's period-perfect to a fault. High And Dry and Fake Plastic Tress felt a bit dated actually - maybe just overplayed? I feel like if Radiohead had spent their later years chasing that Just/My Iron Lung thread I may have been along for the ride a little more.
Not their best but jesus christ this thing slaps. Definitely a step up from Pablo Honey and so many songs on here are some of the greatest alt rock songs from the 90's.
I liked it, not my normal genre but it was good.
I like the laid back instrumental and I feel mostly good about the sort of whispery delivery of the vocals. I can see how it succeeds Creep but I definitely don’t think any one track on this record steps to that level. My favorite track was High and Dry.
Having only meaningfully listened to their other 'big' album, I was expecting to be blown away by this, given the reviews and reputation. It was good, by my mind remains intact.
One of my favourite albums of all time. It's beautiful, punchy, sometimes ahead of it's time, and sometimes of the moment. While there's touches of art rock in here, I've always felt like Radiohead really felt like they had achieved all they could with traditional alt-rock on this album. I've listened to it thousands of times. It doesn't get much better.
Needed to put on my "good" headphones for this. Hard to hear with decent, but older wired set. Strange. I'm a well known Radiohead hater. This album was pretty decent for the first half, then "(Nice Dream)" drove it off the side of a cliff. "Just" kept throwing me off because there's a riff that's very reminiscent of a Beatles riff that swings into 90's ___ rock. Not a bad song, just distracting. Still not a Radiohead fan. 3/5
Good album. Recognized a couple songs. Another band I should have more experience with, but just don't.
An album I actually know! Fake Plastic Trees is my favorite Radiohead song. I know people that feel that Radiohead went "full weird" after Kid-A. I don't agree with that but I would listen to this again and again. It certainly has a bit of a Coldplay vibe to it. In a good way
A yes, Radiohead's magnum opus as the best British Guitar Band ever before their transition to the greatest band of all time as a prog rock band. Stellar listen start to finish, easy five stars.
This album will never fail to make me stop what I’m doing and just *listen*. To the guitars, the lyrics, to the wishes for something better. Tears are usually already flowing by the end of The Bends, and if not then definitely by High and Dry. It was also very cool to hear some OK Computer-style Radiohead in (Nice Dream). Street Spirit is an incredible end to an incredible album.
In my personal Top 10 - I was saving one of my 5s for this one :)
I knew "Fake Plastic Trees" prior and that was it. Sounded very 90s and was probably just a few years ahead of my time. I have a feeling it would get 1-2 more stars if I was fully a Gen X'r. Solid alternative music from my initial listen.
The whole album felt like really polished songs. I mean that in a good way.
im a little biased because this is the Radiohead album I listen to the most and I just really enjoy it more than some of the others, not perfect but still great
Fuck this album. Ok computer is 1000x better
One of my favorites. I could Just Sulk about listening to it on repeat. Found it in college. I listened to In Rainbows first, and it led me to The Bends. My fav Radiohead album
One of the best albums of all time 10/10
Actually really enjoyed this one, bones in particular. I'm a sucker for a moody falsetto.
Trying to find a fault with this album but I couldn’t manage - every track has its place - it never tapers - keeps the interest throughout the entirety of the perfect length of the album. To me this has always been part 1 of the trilogy of great consecutive Radiohead albums - this, Ok Computer and Kid A - and despite it’s hard to recognise what used to be the sound of Radiohead pre-Kid A pívot - it sounds on brand and still holds up even after all these years. I would like to diss on Radiohead but - definitely not regarding this record.
Not my jam
thought I didn't like that album but turns out it's very good!
This might be my physics teacher's favourite Radiohead album. That's irrelevant, but this is a cool album.
So this album is perfect. Every track could have been a single. It’s my 4th favourite of theirs because, well, they’re Radiohead and they did a lot right. Street Spirit is the best closing track by a band that specialises in closing tracks. This whole album is a happy place. 10/5 Immerse Your Soul In Love
I'll just leave it to Thom to review it with some out of context lyrics: "Oh, it's the best thing that you've ever had The best thing that you've ever, ever had" 5/5
My favorite album by one of the best bands of the late twentieth and early twenty first century/. A band at the cusp of reinventing rock. It’s epic.
And if I could be who you wanted If I could be who you wanted All the time All the time My 43-year-old teenage angst comes crashing back like a tsunami. Searingly epic, downbeat then downright sad, spectacular and then 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' Awesome, almost too good for coherent words. 5 / 5 stars.
The Best by Radiohead
A statement record if there was one, a significant improvement on Pablo Honey that showed the heights they would reach. Planet Telex, Just and My Iron Lung include some of my favourite guitar lines, while the more subdued High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees in particular hinted at their sensitive side. They’ve made better albums since, but hard to argue that there are many better moments in their catalogue than the solo outro of Just or the haunting melodies of Street Spirit. First listen for some time and I’m reminded Black Star is a solid deep cut I’ve not revisited lately. It’s going on the playlist. They’ve not stumbled since, what a band.
very bien
ja lit
Second 5*. Every song is a hit, very pleasant listen. Great rock.
Been a long time since i put this on, forgot what a slapper it is
Thom Yorke är överskattad. Okej platta dock.
Quite a crazy experience listening to The Bends by Radiohead, they really discovered and dived deep into depression in society, fake plastic trees talks about "fake" people, bones is literally about how you turn older it's about ageing, one of my favorite tracks is My Iron Lung which talks about the bands hit song "creep" from Pablo Honey, it talks about how the song is their "Iron Lung" it is in the same scale, the album also references Nirvana , the way Just starts the same way as smells like teen spirit and My Iron Lung has the chorus similar to heart shaped box
It's The Bends
This 90s (80s) born kid didn't listen to Radiohead when I was growing up in the early to mid 90s. I heard of them later on alternative rock stations or movies (Clueless/Romeo & Juliet) with their most acclaimed hits -- the way I heard Pearl Jam and other grunge era bands. I listened to them as an adult and I find their music to be experimental and cerebral -- not just grunge. Thom Yorke is one of my favorite artists and Radiohead is staple for 90s rock. You can hear influences from Pink Floyd and as well as other bands from the grunge movement, like Nirvana.
Cat: great sounds, great rock/pop songs, great lyrics. The Bends might be one of the greatest rock songs ever. High and Dry is iconic. Fake Plastic Trees is so raw and real. I remember listening to it with you and breaking down. Just is awesome. Black Star is an anthem. But generally this album is all over the place stylistically in the best way. Something for everyone. And Thom Yorke’s voice is unreal. AJ: seeing The Bends (song) at Bonnaroo 06 with Train is a moment I’ll never forget. The Bends and Pablo Honey will always be my two favorite albums by Radiohead. Still a rock band on those two albums. I like some of their newer stuff, but these two albums are the only two that I love every track on. Minus one or two if I’m being honest. I’ll never forget our first Fake Plastic Trees. Finally singing the last last line with someone I wanted to be all they wanted all the time. The first four songs are perfect. My goodness. I wish I wish wish…
Better than I expected when I saw it was Radiohead. I am a bit biased, but they surprised me. Sounds were quite good, liked some songs, but still stayed a little dull and samesy.
Amazing album 🥰
Didn't do anything for me, unfortunately. Just boring.
This is like one of the classic/quintessential 90's rock albums. I've seen this album art everywhere. That being said I am finding that I am not a huge Radiohead fan. Something about the way their lead singer's voice/the way he sings really puts me off. The instrumental is pretty good in most of the songs, but it's nothing to particularly write home about for the most part. I can see the merit in what they are doing here, but I just don't really enjoy it all that much. Honestly, some of these songs sound like proto-Muse songs but without the interesting things that make Muse songs good. They are a band slightly older than Muse, so it seems they were at least somewhat of an influence on their sound/style. It's not a chore to have to listen to them, but I'm not particularly enjoying the experience (don't hate it either though) The music enjoyer in me is saying this should be at least a 3, but I really didn't enjoy this all that much and my heart says it should be a 2 Probably gonna settle on a low 3 because I can really see the merit in these songs, and have almost enjoyed them, but never really got there.
Nothing terrible. "Just" is a masterpiece.
I've always put off listening to Radiohead, I've always been told ots depressing etc. However this album is a work of art I will be listening to more Radiohead
Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: Yeah, it’s an incredibly easy listen but so mesmerising and easy with pace, a thing of beauty! Favourite song: Track 10 - Black Star
Great album that really works as a whole. Not listened to Radiohead much before as often put off by the vocals. But this is good stuff.
When I first got into Radiohead, the albums I gravitated to were Kid A and OK Computer; The Bends always seemed to be an odd one to me because of the lack of electronic effects and the brit rock sound. After a few listens, The Bends turned into a staple in my Radiohead album rotation. So many good tracks packed into this one, and the flow of the album is really nice. I think Pablo Honey suffered from some abrupt transitions, but they fixed that issue on their second studio release. The mix of acoustic and electric on this album is done well and keeps a very intimate tone throughout the record. Fave tracks: The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Black Star
Their second album was when Radiohead really started to rise above the crowd. While it's still not their best, you can definitely hear the beginnings of what will go to be some of their distinctive trademarks. High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees are still both in my top favourite Radiohead songs, so they were definitely doing something right here. Fav Tracks: High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, My Iron Lung
I know, I'm shocked too.
This is where it starts. Although I started listening to Radiohead with "OK Computer," it's this album that truly shows the band in their element. I know that the first album is good, and people play "Creep" to frigging death, but so much of the later works can be tracked directly to this album. Sound effects on "Planet Telex" can be found on the next album, "High and Dry" and "(nice dream)" both have the same kind of feel as "No surprises." I should listen to this album more. I know a number of these songs from concerts and bands covering them, but it's an album that should be more in my general rotation.
Earlier I had said I prefer The Bends to Ok Computer but I don't know anymore. This album is still amazing but it's not quite as innovative as their next one. Still, what it lacks in creativity it makes up for in rock edge, beautiful but despairing compositions, raw emotions, and great lyrics. Planet Telex, the title track, and Just show a bit of that rock edge and where they came from on their debut Pablo Honey. But then High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, and Street Spirit show that more stripped-down and haunting motif that they kept perfecting from here. I listened to a podcast years ago that said the final version of Fake Plastic Trees came from a session with just Thom Yorke laying down his parts, where he was in tears by the end of it. And man, you can hear the anguish in that song - just beautiful, one of my all-time favorite songs. Street Spirit isn't far behind, gives me goosebumps every time. My Iron Lung is a bit in between, with a little bit more experimental feel to the guitars that they'd take further on Ok Computer. That's just the singles, but Bones, Black Star, and Sulk are other awesome rock pieces while Nice Dream and Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was are other amazingly beautiful softer pieces. A classic album with no holes - when Radiohead really became Radiohead.
By far my favorite Radiohead album, before they went off the electronica deep end (OK Computer is also great, but is more consistent with the direction they were headed). So many great songs: The Bends, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees (one of my favorites - love how it builds), Nice Dream, Street Spirit (Fade Out). Not a bad track on the album. Easy 5.
My favourite Radiohead album. It's a transition album from their typical Britrock debut to the electronic rock of OK Computer, and it's a perfect balance.
The void between Pablo Honey and OK Computer. It has great moments, but overall it's a generic mess reminiscent of Pablo Honey.
I got Radiohead yesterday but I'm not mad.
nice dream 🥹
great peek into peak 90s rock
This album is dense with songs that the true faithful close their eyes and and sing along to. The stuff that used to annoy me doesn’t annoy me so much nowadays. The lyrics are still a mash of abstract platitudes, but they work as dumb, anthemic refrains. Irony, often falling to sarcasm, slapped on with paint-roller, both in words and mock heroic guitar - “My Iron Lung” is archetypical, with a guitar that switches between sneer and sonic “blah blah blah”. Their sarcasm might be sarcastic, a put on. Recursive affectation! Slightly annoying! But the instruments sound nice, if busy. Two.
not more Radiohead.. this is just one dull indie tune after another, although the shitty whine vocals suit these better perhaps e.g. Bones than their try-hard wanna be avant garde later crap
"The Bends" by Radiohead is a solid album that showcases the band's incredible musicianship and knack for writing powerful, emotionally resonant songs. While it's not perfect, I would give it a 4 out of 5 rating. The album opens with the explosive "Planet Telex," which sets the tone for what's to come - a collection of songs that are both introspective and explosive. "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High and Dry" are both beautiful ballads that highlight Thom Yorke's unique vocal style and the band's ability to create lush, atmospheric arrangements. But it's the more upbeat tracks that really shine on "The Bends." "Just" is a frenetic rocker with a catchy chorus that will have you singing along, while "My Iron Lung" is a moody anthem that showcases the band's gift for building tension and releasing it in explosive bursts. The production on the album is top-notch, with Nigel Godrich's clean, crisp sound helping to bring out the best in the band's performances. The only drawback is that some of the songs can start to sound a bit samey after a while - there's a certain sameness to the guitar-heavy arrangements that can make the album feel a bit repetitive. Overall, "The Bends" is a great album that showcases Radiohead's strengths as a band. While it may not be as groundbreaking or experimental as some of their later work, it's a testament to the power of solid songwriting and tight musicianship. If you're a fan of alternative rock or just appreciate great songcraft, then "The Bends" is definitely worth a listen.
Incredible album!!
4.5/5
I couldn't finish this, it's bland mush.
If Radiohead had stopped making music after The Bends, it would have been the defining album of 90's indie rock and European alternative rock. Instead they had to ruin this album's legacy by releasing OK Computer and Kid A... The Bends is the most accessible album of Radiohead's discography, and the tracks are mostly just great pop tunes written in recognizable structures. Like, really great pop tunes. Thom Yorke is not as sulky (heh, get it?) as on later records, and Greenwood's (the Johnny one) guitar demands full attention with every violent outburst. 'The Bends', 'High and Dry', 'Fake Plastic Trees', 'My Iron Lung', 'Black Star', and 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)' (best Radiohead tune ever?). This is an easy 5/5. And it might not be in my top 5 of Radiohead albums.
The Bends is not one of Radiohead’s greatest albums. And it’s still a 5/5. This band is just plain ridiculous.
This one doesn't hit quite as hard as some other Radiohead albums IMHO, but it's still really good. A very solid 4.
More overwrought bullshit from Radiohead. At least there's one slightly tolerable song on this album.
I like Radiohead for their unsettling, uncomfortable electronic sound. Not for their average attemps at Rock. Good songs: High and Dry Great song: Street Spirit (Fade Out) Awful songs: The Bends, Black Star
This was a great listen. This is the 3rd Radiohead album I've listened to on this list and my feelings are still mixed. My only assumption to go on is that they collectively agreed to make every album a bit shitter than the last until it's eventually an unlistenable drone of experimental crap
This is a great great album. I think if all Radiohead sounded like this theyd be a lot more popular, but a lot less interesting overall
Transitional album. Radiohead was still in their alt-rock sound but moving more towards art-rock and experimental styles. Fun listen.
Shows how Radiohead was just about the best rock band before coming the best band, period (and artiest and most ambitious, too). Three classics – "High and Dry," "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Black Star" – plus several other plus-plus tunes. The sound throughout is well-balanced and assertive, a band gaining full control of its ability and deploying it excellent effect.
Solid. Always down to listen to some Radiohead
The beautiful jumble of awkward, emotional noise that can only be described as Radiohead. A little less diverse in soundscape than OK Computer or Kid A, but still a fantastic release.
Amazing
Yes
Liked it
Not up there with OK Computer and Kid A but great
Boring britpop. Cheer up
SEXOOOOO 8.5/10
Yay! Another opportunity to try to make myself appreciate Radiohead. And ... no, it isn't growing on me. Boring and I simply don't like Thom Yorke's voice. Having listened all the way through I don't loathe the whole album, High and Dry is pretty ok, a good use for Thom's upper register. Street Spirit is a perfect example of a song I really don't like at all. In between the album just slogs along, leaving me feeling a little sour and down, not at all what the album art promises. I hope this is Radiohead's last entry on this list but I suspect it isn't. 1.5 stars.
I like to talk shit about Radiohead, but this is actually a great album. It seems less "out there" than some of their other records, which makes it a little more in my wheelhouse. The arrangements, melodies, and tones are unique and interesting. Nothing bad to say about them this time. :)
Not a big radiohead guy, but I understand.
Great album, it's crazy that to me that the bends is the 3rd best Radio head album behind OK Computer and Kid A. Bloody great 2nd album
3.5 I thought I didn’t really like Radiohead but I guess I just don’t like their big songs. Over all a little too drone-y ambient but not bad overall
I still hate radio head but I didn’t hate this. Idk why kid a and old computer are more popular than the bends, much prefer this one
Few tolerable tracks but yeah I have no idea what's the appeal. I mean it could have been worse, at least it's not a Coldplay album.
I’m not a big Radiohead fan, but this record is… OK. This record has melody, and harmonies, and big rock sound and doesn’t feel pretentiously arty and experimental. Nor very special. Happy to have it on, but I’m not paying it a lot of attention to hike it’s playing.
More straight forward then some of the later albums we've listened to. It's just not my thing. Fake plastic trees bugs me as much as when i first heard it. Thom Yorke's voice is still weird.
This has been my favorite Radiohead album so far. But I still only sort of liked some of it. Some of it I really didn't like, too.
Just perfect in every way and this isn't even Radiohead at their best IMO. This gets all the stars possible.
NOOOOOOO NOOOOOOO I HATE RADIOHEAD NMOOOOOOOOOOOPIUDHGS:OBYIrgwkjeuf;osvgef.jkqgiuhkwyeqrg7rqngfufuieG"Gg RHQea/GqKB ahbirhlgohgevhlbodfhghgjahhjnG jbdvuhht93yr9tyh3ru9h[8hugvgh98yg9yv94uihgfh98yg9g8py6t*T*t8)T80R*ttvdfvDT86TV8V&TDV&^v687d5v)&%v07*%DV
Fav song: high and dry, Just
Great album but highly overrated. This was released before Radiohead had their style and because of this it falls under the category of "generic indie rock from the 90s". Nothing wrong with this album at all and in fact some very high highs but it just doesn't stand out among the rest of their amazing discography
Not really a need to comment. It's radiohead. It's the bends. It's damn near perfect. Although not as perfect as the next one haha. Im enjoying the more deep cuts this time around, though.
Better than I remember it
Absolutely fantastic record. I thought I preferred their later albums, when they’d gone all electronic, but this guitar album is a banger.
This is my favorite Radiohead album. The one-two punch of High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees gets me every time - but the entire thing holds up to those and is fantastic
easy 5
YES! Come on! Classic Radiohead. From song one to the end, it's filled with 5-star songs. This is a great album start to finish!
I never have liked the vocals of Radiohead. They have killer instrumentals though.
This is the first time listening to Radiohead outside of "Creep" and I wasn't expecting Thom Yorke's voice to be as good as it was. It was just the right amount of rock - not too sad Brit, not too whiny. I don't know if other Radiohead is like this album or if it's more like "My Iron Lung" (less up my alley), but if it's like this I would listen to other albums of theirs
My babys got the bends oh no, the bends é a evolução perfeita que o radiohead precisava, depois de um debut conturbado e fraco e sem originalidade, o radiohead começou a ser o radiohead aqui, The bends fez os caras ver que a musica tinha muitos limites para serem passados, e não ser pra sempre uma banda que se baseia em artistas do alt rock americano, o lance agora era o Britpop, eu sinceramente não considero o álbum como um álbum do gênero ou movimento Britpop, mas é nítida a inspiração, com musicas mais acústicas como, High And Dry ou Fake Plastic Trees, o álbum fez o radiohead ter uma identidade e não apenas a banda britânica que tenta ser grunge falando como se sente sendo uma aberração, agora o radiohead se demostra mais confiante em fazer novas coisas ir pra novos lados, a lirica foi uma grande melhora, continuando com o toque de letras mais pessoais que foi assim a carreira inteira da banda, enfim um álbum importantíssimo pro radiohead, pro rock alternativo e pra música no geral, nota final 4,0/5
I found my copy of this CD only about a week before it popped up on this list. Even though it's not my favorite Radiohead album, it's still so, so good. It's got elements of the more experimental things they leaned into harder on OK Computer and Kid A, but still has quite a few more "straight forward" rock songs, which are still brilliant.
Weird to hear the pop version of Radiohead after listening to OK Computer and after so much. Still, not bad and some highlights. 3.5/5
I am not a Radiohead guy by any stretch, but this has to be their best album. For one thing, it captures the band at a peak position, post-“Creep”, where they’re trying to prove that there’s more to them, but pre-OK Computer’s dull pretentions or their lame electronic phase. This has a lot of their best ideas and the band has never sounded better in synch. That, and “My Iron Lung” is an all-timer. Some of it still isn’t my thing, but this would be my pick for them. B-
Interesting to think that the sounds of this album would be right at home 10 years later. Enough crunchy guitar to satisfy the 90’s grunge fan and the a vocal style that would become ubiquitous with 2000’s Indie music. A couple of tracks I enjoyed,”High and Dry” and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”
boring, every song sounds the same. some good bits, but not enough
Iron Lung is the only tolerable song on this album because it's about how much they hate the song Creep
My second Radiohead album on this journey. I like Radiohead but have really only listened to the hits and Kid A. I liked In Rainbows when I got it 6 months ago but now totally forget what it sounded like. Anyway, I liked this. Most of it was a little too slow and dreary for me to listen to regularly, but it's good stuff regardless. "Just" was the highlight for me.
Great album from the 90s. Radiohead are so good, so different, so unique. Almost amazing they became radio stars.
I would like this give this album another listen, it was decent overall. I think it was just on the cusp of me really enjoying it. Still, not bad and I'm expecting other Radiohead albums for this list. I am looking forward to checking out the rest of their music.
Me gusta mucho, pero prefiero el OK Computer
i'm in a glass case of emotion
Highlights: High and Dry, My Iron Lung
The OG doomer rock
The first glimpse of greatness from Radiohead. Coming out of the gate with the mediocre Pablo Honey, fans must have been stunned by this, their sophomore effort. Although I'm a big Radiohead fan, I came into this listen expecting to give it 4 stars. I don't think it's their best, but it's a great collection of songs. Listening again though...I can't not give this 5 stars. Every song is pretty perfect.
A classic. Moves nicely between hard rock and ballads, with the softer tracks hitting better. Made for a good train journey home. A few of the tracks seemed like Radiohead doing their best Nirvana impression, can't hate too much on that that though. 3.5/5
It was decent. Probably requires more listens to truly appreciate it
The ‘difficult second album’ theory blown out of the water. Radioheads second was everything that the first was lacking. A peak of their form of alt-rock, before beginning to create their own sound entirely. One that will dominate and influence the minds of music nerds from Oxford to Osaka for the next 25 years. Following album with a similar sound would have been next to impossible. Having singles like Just, High and Dry and Street Spirit. Whilst having cult classics such as Fake Plastic Trees or Nice Dream or Blackstar. An album where when I want to listen to a song off the album, I end up listening to the whole thing. An album cover that scared me when looking through my parents records when I was a kid. Iconic. British alt-pop-rock perfection. Half a point dropped for My Iron Lung. Half a point gained for sentimental value. I don’t even think it’s their best. SoT: Planet Telex The Bends High and Dry Fake Plastic Trees Bones Nice dream Just Bullet Proof Black Star Sulk Street Spirit Fade Out ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Recognizable value and enjoyable
I love radiohead! But I don't go nutz over the bends. Very cool album though! Great stuff of course. Would recommend just not for me personally.
Just a brilliant album, forgot how good
I know it is not regarded as one of the Radioheads best albums, as this was right before they got reaaally experimental with their music. Still, I regard this album very, very highly. The Bends is arguably my favourite brit-pop album, as it contains some great songwriting, some indication of what is to come for Radiohead later, it is not in any sense generic and it never, never in its 48 minute running time gets tiring whatsoever.
Don't need to listen to this one to rate it, but I will anyway because this album kicks ass. This album marks a clear transition point for the band where they ceased to be the band that they were on their first album and started becoming the band that would produce OK Computer. They definitely aren't quite there yet on this album, but it's stellar in its own right. It's cool hearing 90s style guitars with the more experimental music that Radiohead stated doing here. With nearly any other band, this album would be considered part of their run of great albums, but OK Computer, Kid A, and Amnesiac all leave this album behind in the dust. That's sort of the tragedy of this album. It's incredible in its own right, and it should be talked about as one of the best rock albums of the 90s, but it's completely overshadowed by Radiohead's later work 5/5
One of the greatest rock albums. And Radioheads most accessible
Quite interesting
Ah, it felt good to go back and listen to Radiohead when they were a straight-forward rock band. "The Bends" is the second studio album from English rock band Radiohead. It has guitar songs and ballads and more restrained arrangements and cryptic lyrics than their debut. It was described as being "more spacey and odd." Boy, if they knew what was coming. Their record label Parlophone put pressure on them after the success of their song "Creep" which apparently led to some high tensions recording. It initially had decent critical reviews but gathered nearly universal acclaim as time went on. Swirling winds open "Planet Telex" and the album. We then get reverb guitar and more electric guitar. Maybe about depression. Maybe about reality being unchangeable. The last of six singles released "The Bends" has five parts and garnered comparisons to Queen and others. Well, no. Just no. The guitars and layered guitars rock this song. We come to the first ballad in "High and Dry." The drum start. The acoustic guitar. Nice guitar. Lead singer Thom Yorke said originally it was about a loony girlfriend but morphed into being mixed-up with success and failure. And we in Chicagoland might have "Fake Plastic Trees" to thank or swear at the reason Lollapalooza is in Grant Park. Radiohead was the first band to play at Hutchinson Field in Grant Park on August 1, 2001. I remember reading a concert review in the "Chicago Tribune" that as this song played fireworks went off behind the band and with Chicago Skyline, the atmosphere, venue and everything was just spectacular. Oh, it's a good song too. Yorke's falsetto. When the song takes off midway through. Inspired by commercialism and the death of Jeff Buckley, the song is about the effect of consumerism on modern relationships. I thought I had read at the time, "Fake Plastic Trees" was about a woman getting an enhancement of something. I'm sticking to it. There's great guitar feedback which I appreciate especially if pisses people off and great guitar solos on "Just." Also, inspired by the band Magazine. "My Iron Lung" has a jangly guitar open and goes to a weird melody. Selling out to make money??? My favorite song on the album is "Black Star." Maybe Radiohead's most pop song in their catalogue. I love the melody, chorus and Yorke's vocals. The album ends with a song they commonly end their concerts with in "Street Spirit (Fade Out)." A dark sequence of guitar notes. Inspired by R.E.M. and about the escape of an oppressive reality. Does this foreshadow where they would go next with "OK Computer" and "Kid A?" It's hard not to think where Radiohead would have gone if they had stayed the rock-pop course after listening to album. I think it would have been very interesting. They did basically become the biggest band in the world so I doubt nothing changes there. On its own this a great album and, for me, very high on my Radiohead album rankings.
U top 5 Radiohead albuma, i to na mjestu broj 5.
I used to listen to this one a lot as a kid. It's a great album, although it'll always be eclipsed a little by OK computer.
hot take: radiohead is overrated
Genres: Alternative Rock Formed: Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985 The Bends is the groups second studio album. All the tracks have over 10M listens on Spotify, and two have over 200M listens. Although the album contains 12 tracks, the running time is less than 50 minutes. By 1995 CDs could hold 74 minutes of audio, so I don’t know why this album is so short? Being a tight Yorkshire man, I would have felt short changed! This album was touted by reviewers as being significantly better than the previous one. I loved the track “Creep” from the previous one, so I expected more from this. It is very different to what I listen to, so maybe it’ll grow on me. I enjoyed the track “Just”, I’m keeping an open mind on the rest.
Meh, honestly kinda boring to listen to
Why did we all have so much angst in the 90s? I’m not super fond of this - all pretentious sadness. Also not fond of when bands mix the vocals in under the instrumentals to make you lean in. But at least it’s better than Coldplay.
not a bad song on the album
Being too young to be open minded, I wrote off Radiohead when Creep arrived. So I missed the Bends album when it dropped. I barely gave OK Computer a glance when it first came out also. It took some cajoling from family and friends to get me to re-appraise Radiohead. I'm glad they cared enough to call me out on my bias. The bends is worth your time. 5 Stars.
5, probably the most vanilla and smooth radiohead album. Not quite a 5 I just love seeing it. Also Fake Plastic Trees
It might grow on me if I listen to it a bunch but I'm not generally a Radiohead fan.
Top tracks: 'High And Dry', 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)'. 4/5
a classic. slay
Every time I think I’m off of Radiohead I get pulled back. I think this is my favorite Radiohead album. Some of the same eccentricities of their later work balanced with a bit more overt vulnerability. It’s a wonderful album that’s wonderfully produced
I’ve been looking forward to getting a Radiohead album since album 1 and of course the first of the (I think) 4 albums I get is my least favorite of the bunch. That’s not to say it’s bad—just, fake plastic trees, and high and dry are really good—but it doesn’t hold a candle to in rainbows or ok computer or kid a. Just is an especially good song and partially introduced me to Radiohead.
This album is always on my harddrive, but I just never got the time to listen to it until last night. I was immediately amazed by this album, mainly because of its ballads. Radiohead also shifted their lyrics into a more cryptic one compared to their first album. I will definitely listen to this album again.
kinda hard to put a number to this one high and dry is the famous song from this
I've listened to their first album Pablo Honey and the albums OK Computer and Kid A so many times but for some reason this one never stuck. It's a huge gap in my Radiohead listening and the style is definitely different from their other works. It's more in the britpop style of Oasis but still its own thing. As usual with Radiohead it's a pleasant listening experience with great production and well-written songs. However I think that compared to OK Computer this lacks a certain something. OK Computer feels more unique and is overall more memorable. It really sticks with you but The Bends never peaks to that level.
🎶Listenin to Radiohead Oh no We don’t have any real friends No no no🎶
LP
Bless me, my little heart soared when this popped up on a cold damp Monday before work. Quite simply in the top 10 list of greatest albums. Those guitars just hit the spot. Love this so so much. I've played it all through a zillion times. This reaches out to your psyche, squeezes it, tenderly massages it and then throws it into the stratosphere.
Lastig. Het klinkt bekend, allemaal wel goed gemaakt, maar het blijft wat navelstaarderige muziek, en dan breekt het op dat ik helemaal niet naar de teksten luister omdat het in het Engels is. Geen idee waarover ze zich druk staan te maken.
Dit album verkregen uit een erfenis. Een paar keer opgezet om te proberen. Telkens na 2 a 3 nummers afgezet. Eén nummer is prima. Maar het is wat zeurderig en het wordt mij al snel veel te veel. Toch maar eens geript en toevallig dit weekend helemaal geluisterd. Wat en toeval. En tot mijn verrassing vind ik het meest zeurende nummer, het laatste, het leukst. Dat nummer doet mij wat aan UNKLE denken. 2.5 ster.
Voordat er Muse was en Coldplay, had je Radiohead. Een van hun betere albums, toen ze nog gewoon muziek maakten ipv elektronische foefjes. De typische stem van Thom Yorke is uiteraard altijd al aanwezig geweest, maar verder wordt dit gewoon nog doorspekt met zowel lieflijke als scheurende gitaren van Johnny Greenwood. Makkelijk 5je vandaag.
Another beauty by Radiohead.
Just love almost everything they do!
Brilliant
I didn't think this would be for me but it's a classic for a reason
favorite - planet telex, high and dry, fake plastic trees, my iron lung, black star least favorite - (nice dream), bullet proof
Alright. Good singles but some weird stuff that doesn’t make me love it.
These first three radiohead albums are my favorites and this one probably comes in at #2 with OK Computer being #1. Black Star, Planet Telex, Fake Plastic Trees, My Iron Lung... these are the songs you need and no one else was quite scratching this same itch. Not Blur, not Oasis, not Verve or Pulp or Supergrass. This was the only shit.
Sorry folks, I just plain don't get the fuss around this mob. Not awful, but where's the juice?
Still a fan of this one. I can understand why it doesn’t float everyone’s boat, but it hit for me at the time in my life when I was hungry for sad music. “Just,” “Nice Dream,” “Fake Plastic Trees” and “Street Spirit” are all songs I haven’t tired of and the ones around them don’t make me mad either.
I don't like Radiohead.
It's just one of the best
Det här är kanon. Borde man ha på vinyl
Couple of great songs a few good songs and some meh.. songs. overall allright.
Egentligen ganska bra rock men man tål ju cirka 1 min av den gnälliga rösten...
5/5