You do it to yourself, you do, and that’s what really hurts..

This is very unlike me (although all you unknowns probably don't know what I'm like anyway, so don't worry), but I feel like giving a little review on something. As you may know, my favourite band is Radiohead. They're released two fantastic albums – The Bends and OK Computer (it would be a crime if you haven't listened to them). Anyway, my mission today is to write a review on The Bends, what I feel is the Second Best Album Ever ™. So, here goes nothing:

If any of you know anything about Radiohead, they released one hit back in 1993 – Creep. People basically thought that Radiohead would be one-hit wonders, so The Bends was set out to prove them wrong. The album starts out with a quiet and eery beginning, before going into the distorted Planet Telex. Straight away, the lyrics and tune are catchy, and sets you up for a different album. The song finishes and everything quietens, then you're launched into the loud, guitar-blaring title song. Onwards, anyway. Next up is High and Dry, this may be one of the songs you actually know. It's more of an acoustic track, and you get Thom Yorke hitting some high notes (and doing it well). Fake Plastic Trees (with some lyrics that probably have deep meaning, but I never bothered to find out). Bones is one of those songs that sounds a bit like a filler, maybe a boring one to pass the time before something else comes on. Then you hit the chorus. That and a fantastic bridge make you want to listen to and cherish the song over and over, it's surprisingly good. (Nice Dream) is quite a melancholy song with the bizarre brackets around the edge.

After a nice, quiet song you get onto perhaps one of the best bits of guitar playing ever: Just. If there's one song off the album that you should listen to and learn to love, this is it. My Iron Lung is supposed to be a commentary of Creep. They considered Creep to be what kept them alive (their iron lung, if you will). Even the guitar bits sound Creepish. I must admit, the rest of the album blends together a fair bit (all with a slower pace) but it works in a good way. After Bulletproof… I wish I was and Black Star there are two weaker (but good nevertheless) songs, Sulk and Street Spirit. You may have heard the latter before (it's one of those Radiohead songs that is actually played on the radio) and it finishes off the album rather nicely.

Anyway, a summary. The Bends really is a good album (regardless of what people say about it being emo, depressing stuff that will make you commit suicide – people listen to Coldplay, don't they?). If you can, borrow or buy it and give it a try for yourself, you certainly won't be disappointed. If you enjoy this, you should try listening to both Pablo Honey (their first album) and OK Computer. If you listen to all three, you can tell how Radiohead have become more refined over the years (and then they dropped it all with Kid A).

I'd give it a 10/10 easily.