The Bends (1995) - Radiohead

 

Tracklist -

1. Planet Telex (4:19)

2. The Bends (4:06)

3. High and Dry (4:17)

4. Fake Plastic Trees (4:50)

5. Bones (3:09)

6. (Nice Dream) (3:53)

7. Just (3:54)

8. My Iron Lung (4:36)

9. Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was (3:28)

10. Black Star (4:07)

11. Sulk (3:42)

12. Street Spirit (Fade Out) (4:12)

Album Duration - 48:39

Genre - Alternative Rock / Post-Grunge / Indie Rock

The Bends, the second studio album released by Radiohead in 1995, the album revolves around alienation, emotional turmoil, and the struggles with fame and identity. The album captures a sense of disillusionment and the complexities of navigating personal and societal pressures. The Bends explores the tension between personal identity and external pressures, with Radiohead using introspective lyrics and atmospheric music to convey their sense of unease and introspection.

Tracks like "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High and Dry" talk about feeling cut off from others and even from yourself. They show how hard it can be to deal with feelings of emptiness, especially when surrounded by things that seem fake or shallow. After their surprise hit "Creep" from their first album Pablo Honey, Radiohead suddenly had to deal with a lot of pressure and high expectations. This made them feel stressed and uneasy, which comes through in the mood of The Bends. In songs like "My Iron Lung," they talk about their mixed feelings about becoming famous and how they didn't like their music being treated like just another product to sell.

The album's lyrics and music are filled with strong, honest emotions. It talks a lot about heartbreak, feeling insecure, and questioning the meaning of life. For example, the song "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" has a feeling of deep sadness and a sense that some things in life just can't be changed, making it a powerful and emotional end to the album.

To be completely honest I like the entire album and it's hard to pick out favourite tracks when the album conveys such vivid emotions of isolation, despair, agony and struggling with one's own identity. But if I still had to pick out a few favourite tracks they would be Planet Telex, The Bends, High and Dry, Just, Black Star and Street Spirit (Fade Out). This is a solid 9/10 album recommendation for those who are exploring albums to listen to. Next Radiohead album I would write on might either be In Rainbows (my personal favourite Radiohead work) or OK Computer (this album completely changed the world of experimental music). 

If anyone has any album recommendations for me, I would love the same :). Have a great album listening session.