Radiohead
The Bends
(EMD/Capitol)

If you've ever been in my presence for five minutes I don't doubt you'd know my opinion on these guys. Radiohead went from being bratty kids trying to score on MTV with "Creep", to media darlings in less than a decade. But with the American media really only began focusing on Radiohead with the release of 1997's delicious OK Computer, some people tended to miss this disc.

While I'm still not too familiar with Pablo Honey, what I've heard of it tells me that this was a solid progression in the right direction. While definitely more rooted in traditional style of British pop/rock at the time, they still were able to etch out an identity, with their creative melodies, odd guitar solos, and utterly moody songwriting.

The vibe one gets from this album, if it were a color, would most likely be grey, due to the rather mixed emotions displayed on this disc, whether it be Thom Yorke's sad pondering or his accusatory tone, his desperate cries or his absolutely insane lyrical slant. Not since Bono have I heard a vocalist take control of songs so ably, with his smooth and emotional tenor being one of the high points of this album. Yorke is a true "lead singer", as he allows his vocals to guide the songs and his inflections are so precise that he can convey his emotions to the T. The guitar playing on this was more of a backing tool at the time, and you can tell they're somewhat limited in their knowledge of certain areas of the guitar, but their songwriting skills are absolutely rewarding, while also not always just simple strumming like the lazy bands of today. Not many bands are capable of writing such sad sounding ballads ("Fake Plastic Trees", the lead single), soft yet depressing mood songs ("Bulletproof"), or angry sounding rocking numbers ("Just", "My Iron Lung") and making them so catchy without sacrificing mood or art. And through it all, the album is perfectly placed, each song performing it's own role right up until the perfect closer, "Street Spirit".

This album is a thumbs up from start to finish. I recommend it to those who don't own it.

Rob DelMedico

Satan Stole My Teddybear
10.00