THE BENDS

Well, i started with that words, because this album is super special for me, if you don`t know Radiohead is my favorite band, when i started to dig in music, i found them and since then i have loved them and im sure i will, strange that i hadn`t reviewed this album, but now i have some little time and the will to do it.

I dont know if you consider Radiohead as a progressive rock band, that doesn`t matter im giving you only my opinion, but let me tell you a couple of reasons of why i love them:

1.- It`s said that lyrics and vocals maybe are the less important thing in music, when you have good music, why bothering in lyrics and vocals, anyway the point of this is the opposite, despite the great musicianship here, i think lyrics are great, some might say that they are extremely sad and melancoholic, and you are right sometimes, but that weird lyric style (Thom Yorke is a genius, and what a great voice) makes this band especially great.

2. Talking about music, accomplishing the lyrics, we find in Radiohead also melancoholic and sad music in several songs, they have made their own style and they are a prototype of band, so many "younger" or even older artist have covered some Radiohead songs, they have another genious but this time playing the lead guitar, Jonny Greenwood who besides guitar makes lots of noises, effects and play so many more instruments, an average bassist, a superb drummer (i invite you to see some Radiohead Live Concert, and `you will see), and another nice guitarist, all making a superb band called Radiohead.

Well, now the review:

"Planet Telex", let me tell you that i you have a doubt about Radiohead progressiveness, here you will find a nice example, this is the first song of the album and it`s great, here you will find extraordinary distorted guitar sound, which make a very progressive sound during the song.

"The Bends" this self titled song is not the best, dont think that because of the name it could be the most representative song, not at all, is another nice song, with nice lyrics and good guitar riffs.

"High and Dry", here the monster songs arrive, this is a beautiful song, and this is very representative, maybe poppish, im pretty sure that you have listened to it`s acoustic guitar intro, and that baby Yorke`s voice, bot progressive at all this time, but very enjoyable for your ears.

"Fake Plastic Trees" oh my god, this is marvelous, a hymn, and im not overexcited about it, im telling simply the truth, this song probably if you enter deep on it, it will make you feel a bit weak, and why not, fell bad, blue and with a tear running down your eyes, the lyric and the mood is fantastic, but again this is not for everyone`s taste.

"Bones" weaker song here, nice chorus and very well arranged, but nothing more, maybe the less experimental and complex of them all.

"Nice Dream" is another acoustic ballad, which for me is beautiful becasue Yorke`s voice and then some back vocals at the end of the song.

"Just" is a powerfull song, full of great guitars and a superb drums playing here, i have to say it, Phil Selway has been considered long time as an average drummer, but believe me, he`s fantastic, so this song is, with an alternative sound maybe, but with some real good changes during it`s short lenght(you do it to yourself, and thats what really hurts).

"My Iron Lung" was released in a self titled EP before this album, and im sure it marked a new beggining of experimentation after that alternative and weak Pablo Honey, this song has again great changes, it starts with an always memorable guitar, then bass making the rythm but suddenly all turns so fast and noisy, great!!

"Bullet Proof" is another ballad, with again distorted guitar, acoustic guitars and beautiful sound, love it.

"Black Star" is another song that wont be your favorite at all, again it has a chorus to sing (blame it on the black staaar... ), but it`s only an average song, maybe alternative, but with a british sign.

"Sulk", i think this song is very unknown, and it was one of my first loves, i remember when i bought this album i loved it since the first time i listened to it, and why?, maybe because of Yorke`s voice, he reachs high levels, very challenging, but musically not the best.

"Street Spirit" another Oh My God here, this ong kicks ass, very original and innovative for 1994, with a especial mood during the sound, and again a fantastic guitar sound, this song is symply perfect, nowadays i can tell you that this is my favorite song of the album, a masterpiece to close a great album (also the video is fantastic)

Well, after all this explanation and little review, i have to tell you something, we have our favorite bands, and all opinions about them are respected, im sure Radiohead is maybe a love it or hate it band, and also i know it`s inclusion here was controversial, and maybe when you see this big review, you will skip it and go to another page.

The review ends so far, as you can imagine, i really love this album, and for me it deserves an obvious 5 stars.

My love!!

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