Bends, The - Radiohead > Reviews > And Fade Out Again And Fade Out Again

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Some Fantastic Tracks, no weak ones at all .  As close to a flawless album I think I have heard
Disadvantages:	None, unless you dont like Radiohead

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

As I mentioned in my op last week there really is only one album by Radiohead that seems to be constantly on my CD player. That album is of course the follow up to the 1994 release Pablo Honey, 1995’s The Bends. Often the subject of much debate between Radiohead fans but personally this is my favourite album to date. The follow up and it’s predecessor both push it close but overall I find The Bends to be the more complete album.

The Oxfordshire based band, lead by Thom Yorke have taken the music world by storm since the mid 90’s. A lot of other bands show heavy influences of Radiohead’s sound but it was this album more than any other that will be found on lists of musical influences. The debate also rages about what exactly Thom Yorke is, a musical Genius or confused and mixed up but making decent music. On that fact I’m with the former, despite a patch where I really wasn’t a Radiohead fan I’ve now really got back into them again and for me Yorke is a misunderstood genius.

But onto a less serious note I’ll get on with the album. The album opens with “Planet Telex” and from that first moment you can tell your in for a treat. It opens using a sample before the guitars and drums kick in. Building up slowly, creating a nice atmosphere to the track. When Yorke’s vocals come in the tune changes slightly and the guitar compliments his vocals well. The drums keep a good beat throughout and really hold the song together. But I think it’s the lyrics that really make it the song it is and Yorke’s vocals sound superb.

The second track on the album is one of my favourite tracks on the album, “The Bends”. Starting fairly quickly after Planet Telex, it comes in with the guitar and drum intro winding the song up till Yorke comes in with the vocals. The verse is fairly slow going with the drums stopping and the guitars fading, but the chorus picks up again. As I said this is probably one of my favourite tracks and in fact is my second favourite by the band and its all due to Yorke’s lyrics. The lyrics are complimented well by Yorke’s vocals, which in turn worked well with the guitars and drums.

“Where Do We Go From Here,
The Words Are Coming Out All Weird”

As the album continues onto track three we come to “High And Dry”, another big favourite of mine. It kicks off with a slow drum beat accompanied by the guitar, slowly building up into the verse. With the guitar altering slightly just before Yorke comes in with the vocals. The drumbeat stays constant throughout and really guides the guitars through the track. The vocals sound superb and the backing of the guitar and drum fusion really makes the vocals sound superb. The tracks are all well written from the lyrics down to the guitar riffs and drumbeat.

The fourth track on the album “Fake Plastic Trees”. Another big favourite amongst Radiohead fans. A slower start with just the guitar followed fairly quickly by Yorke and the vocals. He hits some high notes but the intro really sets the scene for the rest of the track. The slow guitar sounds amazing, while the keyboard loops over the top and Yorke’s vocals are stretched to add a good edge to the track. The drums back the track nicely and although fairly quiet really make a big impact on the track. Again Yorke’s writing is incredible for one of those songs that’s slow and mellow but easy to listen to.

“But I Cant Help The Feeling,
I Could Burst Through The Ceiling.”

The next track “Bones” is a slightly different tempo but still as good as the four before it. Kick off with a bit of Guitar feedback and then the drums come in, joining the guitar for a superb intro. The vocals aren’t long n joining in with Yorke’s distinctive style plain to see. The guitar backing repeats a little but still sounds superb. The chorus is a little heavier with the drums and guitars really driving it on. The track almost sounds too simple, but at the same time sounds absolutely fantastic.

The slow, mellow, guitar driven pace of the album is carried on with the fantastic “Nice Dream”. I honestly feel this album is 12 tracks where none are really weaker than any other. It starts with the guitar on its own building in a similar way to the previous tracks. The drums join in slightly before the vocals, which are a little down beat this time. The driving influence of the drums though helps the track to meander onwards, sounding fantastic. The guitars compliment Yorke’s vocals nicely again, with the track being formed almost seamlessly.

The next track is one of the better known ones to anyone who doesn’t have the album, “Just”. It starts with a short guitar intro before the drums join in and the track really goes loud. The vocals come in fairly quickly with the guitar and drums altering and losing a little of the volume for the verse before picking up for the chorus. The guitars really stand out but Yorke’s vocals are probably at their best on this track and the lyrics are sublime all in all if it hadn’t been for the last track this would be my favourite.

“You Do it To Yourself,
You Do,
And That’s What Really Hurts,
Is You Do It To Yourself”

As I was saying there really isn’t any filler material on this album and “My Iron Lung” is another prime example of this fact. Although the album as a whole has a very mellow feel I don’t think that takes anything away from it. This track starts from a quiet slower beginning with the guitars and drums building up and Yorke’s vocals really bringing it to life. Within his vocals he has an underestimated ability of turning what could so easily be a mediocre song into a good listen. Towards the end the pace really picks up and the guitars lead the track to a faster, more upbeat finish.

Track 9 sees us move onto “Bullet Proof.. I wish I was”, which keeps the run of decent songs going. It starts with a slower guitar riff than any of the others so far. The mellow feel is continued in Yorke’s vocals as the they come in about the same sort of time as the drums. The haunting feel of this track is highlighted using effects on the Keyboards and this really adds an atmosphere to the album. It’s almost like a small break as the vocals are calm and smooth, the guitar is gently drifting along and the drums are backing everything up.

“Black Star” is another of the real standout tracks on the album and another of my favourite Radiohead tracks. It opens with a faster guitar intro getting louder as the track starts and the drums in the background make for a good start. The vocals don’t take long to come in and in typical Yorke style his vocals really add an extra dimension to the track. The slow mellow pace of the drums and the guitars through the verse really add to the effect the lyrics have and the distinctive style of Yorke’s vocal styling‘s.

With only 2 tracks to go we come to “Sulk”. A bit more upbeat but still keeping that mellow vibe it starts with a slow drum intro repeating. The guitars come in quite soon afterwards although keeping the low tempo, followed close behind by Yorke with the vocals. The pace is changing constantly with the guitars taking the track on and really making it come to life back nicely by the drums, which really shine through. The lyrics again are sublime and just leave you able to sit there, relax and really rest after a tough day.

And now onto the last track and in my own opinion the best track the band have done, “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”. From the opening chord, this track never fails to move me. The pure emotion that comes through the opening guitar and vocals intro. Then when the drums come in it just sounds fantastic. Yorke’s vocals suit the lyrics so well and with the music crafted around it the track is almost flawless. Not the longest track on the album but just the atmosphere and feeling it creates makes it seem like it is. The lyrics are just a step beyond anything else at the time and its tracks like this that show Yorke at his musical best.

“Rows Of Houses All Bearing Down On Me,
I Can Feel Their Blue Hands Touching Me,
All These Things In All Positions,
All These Things Will One Day Take Control,
And Fade Out Again And Fade Out Again.”

To say this is one of the best albums I have in my collection would be an understatement. Despite the time where Radiohead really did nothing for me Street Spirit some how stayed in my mind as one of those songs you have to listen to. The album is fantastic and well worth splashing out on. If you don’t own a copy then buy it from www.amazon.co.uk for £9.99. If you ask me it’s well worth it.