A Favourite Thing: Immerse Your Soul In Love (The Bends - Radiohead)

Member Name: TJ-Mackey

Product:	The Bends - Radiohead
Date:	09/08/02 (1295 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the whole album

Disadvantages: are you kidding?

Following the massive critical acclaim Radiohead received for their third album, OK Computer, and the subsequent experimental nature of their next two releases, it might be easy to forget their earlier effort, The Bends. That, though, would surely be a mistake, as it's arguably their greatest work. Admittedly, it is more mainstream than OK Computer, and that's probably why that album took the plaudits whilst The Bends has always been referred to as the band's more accessible 'rock album'. This is certainly true in respect to the overall style of the record, but the guitar rock of most of the songs hides a much deeper musical vision for the group, which they developed further on later albums. Most notably, Radiohead's most recurrent theme, of being a small individual trapped in a large, uncaring world, is perhaps the most poignant, and is certainly built upon further on many of OK Computer's standout songs.

Immediately giving you an idea of what the rest of the album will be about, the opening track 'Planet Telex' begins with an other-worldly electronic wind effect that fades quickly into a catchy guitar riff and finally some gloriously downbeat lyrics. Although somewhat depressing, 'Planet Telex' is a thoughtful and interesting song to begin with, and works well in setting the tone of the album before launching into the more traditional rock of the title track. Much of The Bends is structured in this way... blending heavy rock soundscapes with quieter, more reflective songs, and it works tremendously well in making the record as a whole much more than the sum of its parts. Having said that though, there are some truly outstanding tracks on this album; easily good enough to compete with the best of Radiohead's later songs.

At the time of The Bend's release, Radiohead were primarily a three-guitar quintet focused around the unique vocal talents of singer Thom Yorke. The intense guitar work by Ed O&#
39;Brien and brothers Jon and Colin Greenwood can be both explosive ('Just') and delicately beautiful ('Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was'), and Phil Selway's drum sequences often hold the songs together perfectly. Lyrically, much of the material conveys some pretty intense emotions - anger, joy, sorrow, regret, hopelessness - in a way that seems entirely appropriate... almost cathartic in nature. Without doubt, the most emotionally draining song for me is 'Street Spirit (Fade Out)', which is so heart-rendingly sad, and with a message so pure that even Thom claims, "I didn't write it... it wrote itself." Ed's deceptively simple guitar work, Thom's superb vocals and above all, the haunting imagery are mesmerising:

"Cracked eggs
dead birds
scream as they fight for life
I can feel death
can see its beady eyes"

While it's true that the rest of The Bend's tracks don't quite reach this level of emotional intensity, they each have something just as fascinating of their own to offer. The slow, sublime sounds of 'Fake Plastic Trees' make a biting comment on modern consumer culture, while the complex, multi-layered guitars of 'Just' help make it a sure fan favourite - the perplexing video only heightening this response. It's interesting that even those songs which aren't particularly deep in meaning don't become over-simplified... the extremely catchy 'High and Dry' being a case in point. Released with some success as a single, the predictable lyrics of the chorus ("Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry") don't detract from the song at all.

Although Radiohead are undoubtedly very good when it comes to roaring guitar rock, I have to say I prefer their more delicate, introspective songs. Thom's superb voice is so much more evocative on the quieter tracks such as 'Fake Plastic Trees' and 'Bullet
Proof... I Wish I Was' - complimenting the instruments perfectly. Having said that, nearly all the songs on The Bends have moments of calm before building up to a high on the chorus, which is perhaps what makes the album so infectious. Despite any criticisms I may have made though, there really are no weak tracks here - only degrees of greatness.

This is my favourite album of all time. I think it's safe to assume that if you're a fan of Radiohead, you already own it. However, if you're looking to buy a Radiohead album for the first time (or have only heard their recent singles), not only is this their best, but also their most approachable. I can't recommend it highly enough.

iMMersE your soUL in LOVE at www.radiohead.com or www.followmearound.com

"Jill Murphy asked me to write about one of my favourite things to help her celebrate her fourth anniversary of cancer-free living and to remind ourselves of all the nice things in the world. It takes more muscles to make a frown than a smile you know. If you'd like to join in, whether you've only just joined dooyoo, or you've been here ages, you're more than welcome. Just write about one of YOUR favourite things, make your title "A Favourite Thing: [your choice]" and include this paragraph at the foot of your opinion. And post before Friday, 9th August."

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