The Bends

Radiohead's second album, The Bends, breaks away from the "Popscene" (sorry, Blur fans--well, "Popscene" is one of Blur's least pop-like songs now that I think about it) and delves into harder rock and greater instrumentation. However, the greatest growth from Pablo Honey to The Bends was the tremendous transformation of singer/guitarist Thom Yorke's lyrics from the conventional to the creative. The title track ("The Bends") and the first single from the album ("Fake Plastic Trees") are reminiscent of this lyrical change. However, there still remain some tunes that appease fans of the first album. "Just (You Do It to Yourself)" and "High and Dry" serve as prime examples of songs that could just as easily been placed on the first album. Overall, one of my favorite albums! If you don't have it, get it. I've been listening to this album a lot lately, and let me tell you--it is depressing. But my new favorite song on the album is "Sulk," a song Radiohead thought would be the best one on the CD, but that never really caught on with the fans. But I like it, so, well, whatever. It's just a really good song, and album, so get it.