A great time capsule - this record created, or at least crystallized, the trends of indie music in 2008-2014. Nostalgia that also holds up thematically
Interlude: Pledge - sets this up as an album that intends to make statements in addition to pop music. A mission statement that blends not entirely seamlessly into the pop hook production of…
Rhythm Nation - …the lyrics follow through on the promise of the pledge - “with music by our side, let’s work together to break the color lines.” Even as the lyrics have a call to action, they make the idea of social progress seem deceptively easy. However, perhaps it is as simple as enjoying music together and passing the test of “no struggle, no progress, lend a hand to help your brother do his best.” The sample from "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" by Sly & the Family Stone gives the song such a great pace and beat to keep your foot tapping.
Interlude- TV : leans into the concept of this album but doesn’t do a lot to clarify its message
I’m not loving my structure of song by song reviewing. Overall the production and vocals are great on this album, and I appreciate what Janet is doing while also finding that it has aged in a way where I wonder how it fits in the cynicism of todays landscape in America.
Did not stop tapping my feet throughout this whole album. Incredible layering, space for a jam to breathe and solo improvisations to take the center without becoming boring or wearing out the welcome of the central riff - perhaps a testament to the rhythm section most of all.
While the opening tracks are both deeply uncomfortable (especially the first, with its origins in a later disproven horrific news story) , the record as a whole is a solid punk effort that makes smart use of razor sharp guitars and pounding drum machine.
This is a solid post-punk record with a dark, goth rock drone. It achieves a lot and obviously has had an impact on contemporaries and followers. However, two things impede my personal opinion of this album: one, it’s frank and depressing lyrics (especially on the over-long opening dirge) linking so directly to Ian Curtis’ struggles and eventual suicide make it a deeply sad listen, and two I simply prefer the efforts of contemporaries like Echo and The Bunnymen, The Cure, and XTC - who kept pop more central, sure.
A solid record that only kind of sounds like The Beach Boys you’ve heard before. The harmonies are still here, but lacking fullness without the full involvement of Brian Wilson. And the musicality and ambition is still present too, but sometimes misguided or hazily mixed into a cacophony as in the muddled “Feel Flows.” “Student Demonstration Time” tries for socially conscious blues rock, but is much less successful than it aspires to be. However, the first four tracks are effective both lyrically and musically, the album closes strong as well. Worthy entry in the canon of a legendary band.
A surprisingly fun listen - that ends with a bummer of a tune with the creepy and silly “Shrivel-up”
A great record from a legendary band in top form. “Born Y-Aur Stomp,” “Immigramt Song,” - heck, I love “Friends!”
Really impressed with the opening tracks, and find that Zappa succeeds here when I treat the record like the work of a composer who is using rock and prog instruments, instead of trying to fit his work into the idea of a band writing rock songs
An iconic record for a reason. Lovely.
This record is in my personal top three Radiohead records, I think. It is hard to rank their work because I’m such a huge fan. However, The Bends shows such a fun period in the band’s development, from the grunge/alt sounds of Pablo Honey to the more electronic, elaborate, and thematic work that was to come on OK Computer and their subsequent work. The Bends is accessible AND ambitious, with tighter instrumentation overall and the trademark lyrics that somehow are deeply emotional while also being kind of cryptic and sci-fi (Fake Plastic Trees is a prime example of this).
This album is just full of essential songs: High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, JUST!!!!, STREEET SPIRITTTT… Essential listening for any fan of indie rock
