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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An amazing album, September 27, 2003
In the days before the weird electronic layering and strange prog rock beats, Radiohead was a top notch Brit-pop band and The Bends was in many ways a breakthrough album for Radiohead. They had been passed off as one-hit wonders with their self-depracating international sensation "Creep" and many had expected more of the same angry and discontent lyrics. The Bends, however, was the start of the Radiohead custom of doing the opposite of what is expected of them and making their fans fall in love with their material anyways. The Bends hits all the right notes, from emotional and meloncholy with "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Bulletproof... I wish I was" to angry discontented rock with "Just and My Iron Lung" to detatched bliss with the closer "Street Spirit". The mesh of Radiohead's unique guitar sound make for an unforgettable and incredible listening experiece and one of the best albums of the 90's. I'd reccomend this to any alternative rock listner any day.Tracklisting analysis Planet Telex - a fantastic opener with U2 inspired guitars. It's probably one of Radiohead's more underrated song, I personally love it and never get bored of it.8/10 The Bends - of the detatched feel of Planet Telex comes the fast paced, rocking Bends which holds the same name as the album. The lyrics are superb. 9/10 High and Dry - My favorite song on the album becuase it was the song that got me into Radiohead. It has a tune that just can't go wrong, catchy and simplistic yet so fun to listen to repeatedly. 10/10 Fake Plastic Trees - One of the most emotional songs on the album. It starts out slow and mellow and builds to a stunning climax. Thom Yorke's voice compliments this track perfectly. 10/10 Bones - not the best track on the album, a bit reminicent of U2. Probably one of the more skippable track, but still a good track nonetheless. 7/10 (Nice Dream) - pretentious use of parenthesis aside, Nice Dream is much like Fake Plastic Trees in that it starts out nice and mellow and ends with a loud and strained climax. The tortured guitar at the end of this song makes it a great addition to the album. 8/10 Just - simply a wonderful song. Grunge-esque in its sound, but having enough guitar variation to be more than just a grunge song, it's superb lyrics and almost perfect mesh of Jonny Greenwood's and Ed O'Brien's guitars make it a masterpiece. 10/10 My Iron Lung - a strange sounding song at first, but on par wit Just by it's unique sound and angry lyrics. Thom wrote this song in response to the one hit wonder critisism Radiohead got earlier in its career. 9/10 Bullet Proof... I wish I was - after the angry and frustrated Just and My Iron lung, Bullet Proof softens the tone of the album a bit with a slow and emotional song. The lyrics are no doubt some of the saddest and make for haunting experience. 8/10 Black Star - One of Thom Yorke's favorite songs, it's also one of my favorites on the album. 10/10 Sulk - Perhaps the weakest song on the album, but still an above average song. 6.5/10 Street Spirit - one of the best closers out of any Album I've listen to. It's detatched and haunting sound is a great way to end such a diverse album. 9/10 Overall, one of my favorite albums. Get it immediately.
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by Radiohead 
