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The Bends


: ''For the disease, see decompression sickness.''The Bends is the second album by British rock band Radiohead, first released in spring 1995. Radiohead were already popular in Britain, and well on their way to stardom in the US thanks to the huge success of the single "Creep" from their first LP, ''Pablo Honey''. Once ''The Bends'' was released, their role as the standard-bearer of 1990s indie Brit-rock was assured. Considered the band's most rock-oriented album, it brought the group a wider audience with radio-friendly hits such as "High and Dry", "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Street Spirit". Radiohead also released highly acclaimed music video versions of these singles — including an award-winning one for "Just" — which extended the group's popularity worldwide. It was the first Radiohead album to include production assistance from Nigel Godrich. The main producer was John Leckie. In the liner notes, the album is dedicated to the late Bill Hicks.''The Bends'' marked the start of Radiohead's path into alternative music and electronic experimentation. Indeed, the song "My Iron Lung" is about the huge commercial success of "Creep", and its adoption as an anthem ("this, this is our new song, just like the last one, a total waste of time, my Iron Lung")."For their second album, Radiohead chose an extremely symbolic title... Radiohead rose too soon (due to the success of 'Creep', which they were hardly prepared for) and had to suffer the unpleasant consequences (critical backlash, record company pressure, general confusion and dismay about how to continue meaningfully)" (From Mac Randall's "Exit Music: The Radiohead Story" - Omnibus Press, 2000).In 1997 ''The Bends'' was named the 4th greatest album of all time in a 'Music of the Millennium' poll conducted by HMV, Channel 4, ''The Guardian'' and Classic FM. In 1998 ''Q'' magazine readers placed it at number 6. It is number 110 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Recording History and Trivia

* "Planet Telex" was recorded when Thom was drunk after they had all gone out to a restaurant because the catering staff at RAK were having a day off. Thom was said to be slumping on the floor and a microphone was placed near his mouth. This also was the only song written in the recording studio.

  • "High and Dry" was originally played by Thom's band in Exeter. However, the Radiohead version came to being after drummer Phil Selway was testing his new bass drum.

  • For "Fake Plastic Trees" Paul Kolderie missed a cue during the final verse (the distorted guitars were meant to come in at the beginning of the bar), but the result was so pleasing that the mistake was left on the final mix.

  • While recording one of their most emotional songs ever, Thom Yorke broke down crying in the studio after the master take of "Fake Plastic Trees".

    Track listing



  • All tracks written by Radiohead.

  1. "Planet Telex" - 4:19

  2. "The Bends" - 4:04

  3. "High and Dry" - 4:20

  4. "Fake Plastic Trees" - 4:51

  5. "Bones" - 3:08

  6. "(Nice Dream)" - 3:54

  7. "Just" - 3:54

  8. "My Iron Lung" - 4:37

  9. "Bullet Proof... I Wish I Was" - 3:29

  10. "Black Star" - 4:07

  11. "Sulk" - 3:43

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



See also">

Clips

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