THE BENDS

"The Bends" is the second album of alternative rock band Radiohead, after the mildly successful "Pablo Honey". "The Bends" hit the music stores in 1995, Grunge had died with Kurt Cobain and Brit-pop started to grow with Oasis album "What's the story morning glory?" and Blur album "Parklife", the band had to decide whether they wanted to continue the grunge sound of "Pablo Honey" or start a more post-Britpop sound. They have decided to do both.

Planet Telex (8/10) - An intro to an album which can stand on its own. It shows the new more melodic style of the album by removing the 3-guitarist line-up and featuring more keyboard based sound. This song prepares listeners for the album ahead.

The Bends (9/10) - Back to the roots with this one. The bends is more energetic than the intro with distorted guitars reminding us of Radioheads grunge background.

High and Dry (8/10) - Soothing and relaxing. The vocals provided by Thom Yorke fit perfectly in this easy mostly-acoustic ballad-like song as well as showing the more easier and acoustic side of Radiohead.

Fake Plastic Trees (10/10) - This is simply beautiful. The most relaxing song on the album and definitely a peak. The songs meaning is debated (even though imo its quite obvious as materialism plays a great role in the song). The song has a deeper meaning, which is a first for the band. with great lyrics and an easy acoustic sound, this song can be enjoyed by any music lover. Bones (7/10) - The second most grunge-like song on the album. Easy intro but then met with heavy distorted guitar halfway through the song and with harsher vocals.

(Nice Dream) (8/10) - Ever noticed the brackets? I didn't. (Nice Dream) is another soothing song in the album with a very dreamlike sound. Easy acoustic song with a haunting melody in the background provided by a guitar,keyboard and a violin. But the dream turns darker as the guitar starts screeching creating a great atmosphere. Another peak in the album.

Just (10/10) - My personal favorite. A heavy song with a perfect combination of acoustic and electric with a Riff that has been inspired by Nirvanas "Smells like teen spirit", this song can pack quite a punch! Most certainly another peak in the album.

My Iron Lung (9/10) - And yet another heavy song but this one is really heavy. This song concentrates on powerful guitar riffs and harsh vocals. An adrenaline pumping song. Not to worry our nerves will be calmed by the next song.

Bullet Proof ... I Wish I Was (8/10) - Ethereal. A very calming song. The song basically consists of easily strummed chords and arpeggios, with soft vocals this song is almost a lullaby

Black Star (9/10) - A side dish of pop-rock. This was the first song I heard from "The Bends" and because of it I went out to find myself the album (After 3 months of searching I actually found it). A song with a great melody and my second favorite song after "Just".

Sulk (6/10) - In my opinion the weakest track on the album. A soft track with a bit of guitar meddling in the end. A good song yet it gives me the feeling that it lacks a certain something.

Street Spirit (Fade out) (9/10) - A perfect way to end a great album which will create a legacy. A depressive sounding song which sends a chill up my spine every time I listen to it. A great song and a great Outro.

I really love this album, it is an excellent mixture of acoustic and electric sounds in combination with a carefully recorded performance. Simply great songs.

Although I am a great Radiohead fan, this album is the only one which I consider to deserve more than 3*, in fact it deserves 5!

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