The Bendsthe second opus of Radiohead, proved that the group could go beyond the “Creep” formula. This disc may also have been the last try before what we like to describe as “great escape”
In the Radiohead galaxy, there are many UFOs. Difficult to mention them, it would indeed be (almost) all quoting them, but let's go. We first think of the experimental diptych Kid A/Amnesiacreleased three years after one of the group's largest productions at the day, OK COMPUTE. Discs ensue between intimate and strange (Hail to the thief,, In Rainbowseven if the latter is all the more calm). And then, a break in 2011, with The King of Limbs. Difficult disc for fans as well as neophytes-to tell you, if you do not know Radiohead and you want to embark on the adventure, put it at the end of the list. The latest installment, A Moon Shaped Pool (2016) is ultimately a skillful mixture of everything that made the group's 2000s' group successful.
But before, what were they? At the time, they could be distinguished as the “villains little ducks” from English rock, like all these punk formations which advocated irreverence … while enjoying “international” status (pixies, Nirvana, Sonic Youth obviously). In Great Britain, therefore, rock was as marginal as they are flourishing. And Radiohead participated, in a way, in 1995. On March 13, released The BendsPivot disc, which made the junction towards an era of tests, disorders and blows.
Cry of the heart
Produced by John Leckie (the man behind Simple Minds, the Stone Roses or The Verve), The Bends is a generous disc. You will have noticed, it is missing an obvious group at the Arc de Leckie, we will talk about it later. It is alongside Nigel Godrich (which will end up dedicating his career to Radiohead), that Leckie produced as best they can Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood & Co. to a more or less unknown region, in addition. “We killed each other”was able to tell the producer, who struggled to grasp the project of the musicians. He also had to appease the tensions and aspirations of each member, who wanted “Bring sound to new entrenchments. »»
It was a question of pushing the sliders of Pablo Honeythe group's first album, even further. While adding a touch of modernity still relevant today. “Radiohead could record the songs of 'The Bends' today and the sound would still be currentconfided to our American colleagues Thom Green, Alt-J drummer and big fan, therefore, of training. 'The Bends' is, as in Rainbows can also be, an album that brings out all the nuances of Radiohead music. It doesn't look like it was recorded over 20 years ago. »» 27 years today, even.
No doubt, he is right, supporting the fact that The Bends is an album built on foundations as rock as pop. In addition to the stellar launch that announces the change (“Planet Telex”), the disc is built into a sawtooth. Between the Furie (“The Bends”, “Bones”, “Just”) and the melancholy ballads which will ultimately make all the flavor of Radiohead (“High and Dry”, “Bullet Proof … I Wish I was”, “Street Spirit (Fade Out)”).
Thom Yorke, for his part, continues to write with the heart, while expanding his field of vision. There is no longer a question of his personal anxieties, but the evils of society as a whole. A world that is not going to improve – just take a quick look at the rest of their discography. And then there is this deep cry of the heart, born of chronic fatigue, consequence of the previous tour. Without forgetting the cursed burden that was (and what is still?) The title “Creep”. First big piece of the group, despite himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09eszxrkep4
