Released in March 1995 from a English 5 piece band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire! This second studio album really came in with a kick. When I first heard this album I wanted to listen to over again. It just has so much emotion within the songs and can really calm you down with the sounds they provide. The bands name comes from the title of a song in The Talking Heads: True Stories album. Coming out of the Britpop scene that did dominate Britain at the time with the likes of Blur and Oasis, the band conjured up some success and stole some spotlight being on the outside of the musical sound. Radiohead are such a unique band to me, they can really reach into your soul with their sound and the solid emotion they portray in the songs.
I think many people assume Radiohead to have this hated haze within their lyrics, but I see them as questioning life. The Bends made a huge leap with the sound, they inherited from the experiences and performances from the previous Pablo Honey album.
Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, Colin Greenwood, Phil Selway
The Bends
Coming from their debut album of Pablo Honey (1993) the band did have pressure on them to reproduce the material they did. The band were so close to breaking up. With their song "Creep" it became a late chart success and the band spoke out about being smothered by the success. The Bends refers to a condition divers get when they come to the surface to fast. It is a commentary on Radiohead's sudden fame. Radiohead have a sound of being heavy but then slowly calming it all down again, their style is unique and with this album. Heavily involving a lot of catchy guitar riffs along with lyrics that take you away from your mind. The melodies within this album should be greatly admired! The album is slightly grunge inspired you could say, in the era of music they found themselves in.The cover is of a mannequin that is practised for people learning to CPR. This relating to the condition in what you receive when you have The Bends. Quite simple idea and keeps in with the theme of the bands material.
Track Listing
Track 1 - Planet Telex - 4:19
First track on the album with intense keyboard intro to begin the song. Then ripping vocals of Thom Yorke with a awesome guitar lick to follow up. Interesting information here, is that the band wrote this in one night while extremely intoxicated. Thom sang all the vocals lying on the floor, it took just one take. (http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1540) Suppose to be titled Planet Xerox but trouble through issues with copyright stopped them.
Track 2 - The Bends - 4:06
As I talked about earlier. The Bends is a medical condition that happens to people that come out of the water too fast. Metaphor of the band becoming these instant rock stars without a chance to adjust to fame and the spotlight, questioning life and for us as listeners to relate to the feelings and emotions the bands going through. The lyrics talk about the newly found fame and popularity. The songs on the other hand has quite a repetitive band sound to introduce Thom's high pitched vocals, then slowly the band halts soothly Thom's verse vocals.
Track 3 - High And Dry - 4:17
Within the song it really portrays the vocal ability of Thom especially within in the chorus and the demand for recognition you could argue! The band has never appreciated their own work on this song, thinking that it sounds like a Rod Stewart cover is very bizarre. Lead singer Thom really didn't want this song on the album being recorded in the Pablo Honey sessions. It was dismissed but was later remastered here and I'm glad the band kept this content alive because it really became a successful song for them among the charts. A very soothing song from the band that heavily involves a repetitive acoustic guitar, along with gentle tapping of the drums.
Track 4 - Fake Plastic Trees - 4:50
Another slow acoustic song that Thom admits to crying too whilst trying to perform it. Not once but twice and surely more after watching a Jeff Buckley gig. The song has such progression, becoming heavier throughout and grasping the unique vocals and emotions of Thom. Such a chilling out song and can be put on in the background if you want some calming reassurance which is what Radiohead provide. If you had a sad scene in a film and you wanted to present it hugely. I'd use this and that's what the film Clueless (1995) did.
Track 5 - Bones - 3:09
Plugging the guitar back into the amp, the song brings out the gentle heavy sound again. The bass line picks up the limelight with a faster pace beat and distortion of the guitar that is strummed once so often. The style of the song is introducing a bluesy-boogie beat that just has awesome groove to it.
Track 6 - (Nice Dreams) - 3:53
A very slow acoustic based song. I can't imagine it being easy to pour your heart out so easily as Thom does. As a listener the feelings within the song is alienation and finding a way to deal with the problems. Inspired from George Harrisons song 'My Sweet Lord' recreating the ambience in their own unique way.
Track 7 - Just - 3:54
This is Radiohead at it's best! Just the changes and co-ordination from the band makes this a powerful unique song. The use of both acoustic and the electric guitar and not knowing where the song is going, which is probably why it's my favourite song on the record!
Track 8 - My Iron Lung - 4:36
Now people may argue with what I'm going to say here. The song sounds very similar to Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana in the chorus. Obviously unintentional but has similarities between each other. The song was written after the band pulled out of Reading Festival because of Thom's strained vocal cords. Such an awesome song that can keep you going through the day!
Track: 9 - Bulletproof.. I Wish I Was - 3:28
Another slowed chilled out acoustic song. Thom wishing he wasn't so sensitive but the huge theme of sensitivity within the song. The high pitched voices and howls are unique within the song and can take your mind of for a wonder while you get lost in the music.
Track 10 - Black Star - 4:07
Moderate rock song. "Funny enough the song is about sex in the morning, it's the best time to have it especially if you've brushed your teeth before". Quoted from lead singer Thom. Song was recorded without the producer and probably why it sounds more improvised from the rest of the album and has a raw edge to it.
Track 11 - Sulk 3:42
Repetitive guitar sound that traps you in the melody. Something that I'd admire about Radiohead is that the riffs get caught into your head, you just get lost picturing all sorts of inspirational visions. The song is inspired about the Hungerfood massacre in which 16 people were killed in a shooting spree. A lyric which was involved in the song was "Just shoot your gun." It was left out due to Kurt Cobain's suicide recently and thought audiences may interrupt it as a crude cash in. This was the last song to be completed and was written in the Pablo Honey sessions.
Track 12 - Street Spirit (Fade Out) - 4:12
Another repetitive song with the guitar licks that experiments with the vocal ability of Thom. A song that was highly received with its melodic and peaceful sound. Not one of the bands favourite songs to perform live! Many people going to the show were in high demand of seeing this song performed live! Song is inspired from Ben Okri's 1991 novel The Famished Road. Although maybe sounding peaceful, it's one of Radiohead's darker, saddest song.
Live Performances
I was lucky enough to see Radiohead at Glastonbury Festival on their secret set! I should honestly say that I didn't know much of their material. I am glad I watched their performance and discovered Radiohead and seeing how they interacted with the fanatical masses of audiences at the front of the stage!
Merchandise
Since The Bends album, the band have done numerous albums and have so much new merchandise that have promoted all of their new albums. This is one shirt I found online, I'm not sure it's official but pretty much just promotes the album cover.
10/10 Of Rating!!
This album is just awesome and you can stick it on and I'd be content. It's so chilled out the whole way through and soothes me. If I was to do a album it would be like this! If you have anymore information on facts and knowledge about Radiohead don't hesitate to contact me! I'm a big admirer of this album and I'm sure a lot of people have the same opinion as me and should be rated among the greatest albums of our time. If not, it is my greatest album of all time!
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