THE BENDS

From this web site I see that I am clearly a big fan of Progressive Rock in many of it's guises having listened to many of it's bands since 1978. My faves are Yes, Pink Floyd and more importantly Rush with whom I feel I have grown up with.

This album was pushed on me by a relative and it was played as background music during family and friend visits to my house. On the third occasion in the company of my best friend it suddenly dawned on me that I had not heard/understood a word he had said for over half an hour. My skills at conversation were on autopilot as I concentrated on the low volume music. (I only dread the incoherant babble I must have been saying). This was the ureka moment when I realised there was something very special in this album.

For those refering to this web site the later albums might be consider more naturally progressive. I find them artistic and experimental to the detriment of the whole sound. There are obviously exceptions, for example exit music on OK, however in general they do not formulate a complete sound as this album does.

To place this album amongst it's peers I would place it on the same podium step as IV by Led Zeppelin. This album stands out in its' time. The originality and bravery of this band (who at the time were not established as main stream experiencing more success in the US with Pablo than in the UK) to create such an emotional rollercoaster of sublimely beautiful music at the time they did in the market of Brit Pop that they did, is awesome, if not visionary. All hail the production/bank rollers for believing in them.

For anyone to claim this album is MTV pop rock has no memory of the real world events that unfolded. Songs on this album were in the top 10 and not played on mainstream UK radio. At a concert Yorke even commented to this affect seriously insulting the UK Radio 1 for playing High and Dry just 3 times in the period that it was in the charts, the Album peaking at number 4.

Their recognition came not because of air play but because with an album as brilliant as this is, it was never going to remain unheard.

The success of OK computer occurred only because The Bends had broken the world. Whilst more radical its' success is due more to the pop culture of band wagon riding and subsequent air play.

This album is in my opinion unsurpassed. Prog, definately not, but then why does prog have to define greatness. If this band deserves a mention on a prog rock web site, then its' finest work needs applauding too.

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