The Bends • Radiohead

 The Bends • Radiohead • 1995

This record is a studio album (the second) by the British alternative rock band Radiohead. It was released in 1995. The album cover apparently portrays a CPR mannequin, with a facial expression suggesting that it is experiencing "sensations of ecstasy and agony, simultaneously.” This album came on the heels of the band’s first (and biggest) hit, the single “Creep,” which had made it to #7 in the UK, and #2 in the US in 1993. So expectations were high for this new album to do well. It did not disappoint. 

Though the record had a slow start, it eventually would make it to #4 in the UK, #88 on the US charts, and sell 2 million copies. It produced 6 charting singles, including “Fake Plastic Trees” and “High and Dry” (my favs - videos below). The primary result though of this album, is that it elevated Radiohead from being a one hit wonder, to becoming a legitimate and universally recognized British rock band, a force to be reckoned with. 

The Bends highly influenced Chris Martin, who would create Coldplay, which became one of the biggest bands in music history. It is also credited with influencing, or even giving birth to an entire generation of “post-Britpop” music, and a plethora of other bands that became very influential. The album is often spoken of as one of the greatest records of all time. It was designated #2 on the Colin Larkin’s “All Time Top 1000 Albums,”  and ranked at #110 on “Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” 

It catapulted Radiohead to a new platform, a new momentum with which they created a series of amazing subsequent albums. As they say, the rest is history. By 2011, the band had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. 

Finally, if you are a Radiohead fan, this little entry isn’t telling you much that you don’t know. But if, like me, you’re a little newer to this music, I highly recommend you give them a listen. I think you’ll really like what you hear. You may just add a new band to your list of favorites, as I have. And you’ll want to hear more of their other albums. Just check them out. You can start with the links below: 

Here is Radiohead’s The Bends on Spotify: 

Take a look at these live videos to check out the band performing their hit singles; 

Fake Plastic Trees • Live 

High and Dry • Live at Glastonbury 1997

Creep • Live Video • Radiohead’s 1st hit single pre-“The Bends” (Caution: Some “Adult” Language if it makes you uncomfortable) 😷

For a more detailed analysis of The Bends, check out this excellent Billboard review: