Two years after the radio-friendly release of Pablo Honey, Radiohead changes gears slightly as they begin their transformation into the band that fans and critics alike have grown to love. If Pablo Honey was their respectful rookie attempt at alternative rock of the early 90’s, then The Bends was their confident and ambitious application to steal away anthem rock from bands like U2 and R.E.M.
“Fake Plastic Trees” and “High and Dry” were the well-charting singles from the album that have continued through today on alternative radio stations, but The Bends is complete and loaded with meticulously and masterfully created songs that challenge the listener. “Planet Telex” opens with spacey and dream-like effects and echoey keys, teasing us that Radiohead may have suddenly shifted musical gears, which seems to be the case with the rest of the opening track.
But as soon as we are teased with a slightly different sound, the title track “The Bends,” brings us right back to the Pablo Honey days. The only difference is the sound is matured.
“Just” shows influences of the Pixies, while the reflective “Bullet Proof…I Wish I Was” reaches to the future for that new style. “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” is the perfect closer to The Bends, as it too looks ahead for something new.
The beauty about The Bends is that it is one of those “on the fence” albums, meaning Radiohead has honed in on their alt-rock sound, but are also unsettled and wanting something new, more challenging and satisfying. And with songs like “Planet Telex,” “Bullet Proof” and “Street Spirit,” it is clear the experimentation has begun.
The 21-track bonus CD contains b-sides from “My Iron Lung,” “High and Dry/Planet Telex,” “Fake Plastic Trees,” and “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” singles, as well as four tracks from the BBC Radio 1 Session recording in September of 1994.
The DVD contains music videos from four singles, including both the UK and US version of “High and Dry,” the remaining eight songs from the May 27, 2994 Astoria Theater performance in London, the February 27, 1995 2 Meter Session from Holland, their May 27, 1995 performance on Later…With Jools Holland and three different appearances from Top of the Pops.
In addition to the 1995 album re-release, the Deluxe Edition includes a 6-page booklet with lyrics from The Bends, and the sleeve covers of the five singles.
The Bends (standalone album) – 4 out of 5 stars
The Bends (2CD/1 DVD) – 4 ½ out of 5 stars
Disc 2 Track list:
(Taken from “My Iron Lung” single)
1. The Trickster
2. Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong
3. Lozenge of Love
4. Lewis (Mistreated)
5. Permanent Daylight
6. You Never Wash Up After Yourself
(Taken from “High and Dry/Planet Telex” single)
7. Maquiladora
8. Killer Cars
(Taken from “Fake Plastic Trees” single)
9. India Rubber
10. How Can You Be Sure?
11. Fake Plastic Trees (Acoustic)
12. Bullet Proof.. I Wish I Was (Acoustic)
13. Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Acoustic)
(Taken from “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” single)
14. Talk Show Host
15. Bishop’s Robes
16. Banana Co.
17. Molasses
(BBC Radio One Session – 14/09/94)
18. Just
19. Maquiladora
20. Street Spirit (Fade Out)
21. Bones
DVD Track list
(Music Videos)
High and Dry – UK Version
High and Dry – US Version
Fake Plastic Trees
Just
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(The Astoria, London – 27/05/94)
Bones
Black Star
The Bends
My Iron Lung
Maquiladora
Fake Plastic Trees
Just
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(2 Meter Session, Holland – 27/02/95)
My Iron Lung
High and Dry
Fake Plastic Trees
Street Spirit (Fade Out)
(Later…With Jools Holland – 27/05/95)
The Bends
High and Dry
(Top of the Pops)
High and Dry 09/03/95
Fake Plastic Trees 01/06/95
Street Spirit (Fade Out) 01/02/96
Editors’ Note: PopWreckoning has one unopened copy of this special edition of The Bends to be given away to a resident of the United States. To win, all you have to do is comment with your favorite song from the album The Bends and explain why the song stands out to you. The comment that stands out to the Editors the most, wins.
Please remember to include a working email address so we might contact you for mailing information. Contest will run until June 10.
