THE BENDS

Yes, this is a lot more of a mainstream rock album then prog. In fact, there is no prog whatsoever here. Still, that won't stop me from giving this album a positive review.

A description of the music: We start off with the echoing keyboard of the sad, yet bouncy "Planet Telex." A pretty boring track, but not that bad. The title track is a rocker, and a really good one at that. The guitar has some good riffs and has a catchy beat that is shown throughout the album. "High and Dry" is a depressing track with a slow drum beat and a sad acoustic riff. "Fake Plastic Trees" is another sad track with some incredibly odd lyrics and is an acoustic based song. "Bones" is another rocker with pretty odd guitar effects. "(Nice Dream)" has a great acoustic melody in the intro and other great melodies throughout and is another very slow, solemn track. It is just plain beautiful. "Just" is the heaviest track on the album and bears some grunge resemblance. A very fun track with some great great guitar riffs. "My Iron Lung" contains an odd clean riff and a pretty dissonant chorus, but is overall an amazing track. "Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was" is a pretty depressing track, which I find is pretty boring. "Black Star" has a riff that bears alot of resemblence to the one in the title track, and is more of a sad rocker. "Sulk" is a very boring and forgettable track with an Indie-rock style. "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" is a very sad song which has a brilliant acoustic riff, but is pretty repetitive.

PROS:

Melodies: This album contains many memorable melodies, especially in "(Nice Dream)" and "Street Spirit (Fade Out)."

Catchyness: This album contains many catchy and memorable beats like most mainstream/pop rock.

Lyrics: Lots of the lyrics on this album are just plain odd (especially in "Fake Plastic Trees"), but the oddness is very effective.

CONS:

Mainstream: Lots of prog fans don't like mainstream rock, so I'd warn you to stay away if you really hate it. I don't even like mainstream rock, but Radiohead is a band that really delivers for me.

No prog: Here is a warning: if you're looking for prog, I wouldn't suggest this album.

Vocals: The vocals at times are very whiny and annoying in this album.

Song ratings: Planet Telex: 7/10 The Bends: 8.5/10 High And Dry: 8/10 Fake Plastic Trees: 9/10 Bones: 7/10 (Nice Dream): 10/10 Just: 9.5/10 My Iron Lung: 9/10 Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was: 6.5/10 Black Star: 8/10 Sulk: 2/10 Street Spirit (Fade Out): 8.5/10

My rating: 4 stars. Not a perfect album, but a strong one and probably my favourite from Radiohead.

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