The Bends

Colin Greenwood - Bass
Johnny Greenwood - Guitar, organ, synthesizer, piano
Ed O'Brien - Guitar, vocals
Phil Selway - Drums
Thom Yorke - Guitar, vocals

Radiohead wanted to dispell all thoughts of the band becoming a one-hit wonder after their smash single "Creep" from Pablo Honey. With their sweeping three guitar attack eminent on their debut album, this follow-up is a masterpiece. Not a dull moment is apparent on this album. By following their influences of U2, Talking Heads, REM, and Pink Floyd, they create a very textured and cerebral landscape of sounds. They still are very ambitious and groundbreaking though, finally breaking themselves of the grunge/alternative genre. From the opening sequence on Planet Telex, which resembles CAN's intro to Paperhouse, to the final chords of Street Spirit (Fade Out), Radiohead shines with majestic beauty. This album is meant to be listened to in its entirety. There aren't any filler songs sandwhiched in between their stronger musical pieces as what was apparent on their debut release. Thom Yorke has haunting, majestic vocals that are very unique this day and age. Ed O'Briens lead guitar is compelling, drawing much influence from the manic styles of Syd Barrett and Michael Karoli.

There were 5 singles released from this album which were My Iron Lung, High and Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, and Street Spirit (Fade Out). Fake Plastic Trees was the most popular out of the 5, becoming a huge hit in the US. This song starts out as a melodic acoustic piece and ends with an intense coda. The string orchestra accentuates the mood of the melancholy nature of the song. Pure brilliance. Street Spirit (Fade Out) comes awful close in melodic beauty. What a great way to end an album with more strings on this acoustic ballad. Other strong tracks include Planet Telex, The Bends, My Iron Lung, (nice dream), Bulletproof...I Wish I Was, and Just. Just is a very intense piece that is full of angst and despair. The video for Just was just as mindblowing as the track itself.

The Bends is considered the best album of 1995, and one of the best of the entire decade. It is a little overshadowed by its predecessor, OK Computer. Personally I think this album is much stronger in the melodies than OK Computer. Both are amazing albums nonetheless, and are far more complex than their contemporaries music.