Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Secular Elation · 07-31-2003, 10:18 PM

Everyone's probably getting sick of discussing Radiohead by now, understandably. But one more thing...

In another thread I started ("Radiohead - Hail to the Theif") a few people suggested The Bends (one person said they liked it more than OK Computer) and some suggested Kid A (claiming it is "awesome").

I got both of them today, and gave both a good listen.

The Bends: not really fond of this album right now. A lot of people say it rivals OK Computer: how?! Nothing really special on this album. All the tracks sound too much alike, to me. Nothings stands out, and not one song is particularly great or interesting. Overall, it strikes me as rather boring. Right now I'm giving it a thumbs down.

Kid A: This album is...different. Very difficult. You really have to pay attention to it. It's not easy to get into. Not very musically attracting--it takes effort to absorb these songs. Very abstract. Some of the songs are arranged very well, and there are many cool sounds throughout. Still, I'm liking this one more than The Bends at the moment. This sounds like a record that, after more listens, will likely grow on me. It's bizarre to see that this is the first record released after OK Computer--Kid A couldn't be farther in nature. This album has received many rave reviews, but I think it's far from their best work. I dunno. Maybe a few listens before I come to a concrete opinion.

Still need to try out Pablo Honey and Amnesiac. I've heard a couple of songs off Amnesiac, and they do sound good. Only song off Pablo Honey I know is "Creep," which is one of my favorites. Haven't heard many good things about Pablo Honey, besides that.

Besides the lackluster The Bends and the difficult Kid A, Radiohead still deserves accolades for their incomparable masterpiece, OK Computer. Additionally, their new album is also fantastic. These two records alone still make them one of my most favorite bands.

RevDahlia · 07-31-2003, 10:56 PM

Pablo Honey doesn't count. Don't bother.

August Spies · 07-31-2003, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Radiohead still deserves accolades for their incomparable masterpiece, OK Computer.

my feelings exaclty.

PH isn't worth bothering with and Amnesiac is outtakes from Kid a, essentially, so... you know what to expect.

jig · 07-31-2003, 11:20 PM

What did you think of Street Spirit (fade out)? When I first got The Bends I didn't get around to listening to all the other tracks properly for months because I fell in love with Street Spirit on first listening.

And then afterwards tracks like High and Dry, Just and My Iron Lung really started to grow on me. But I agree with what another poster said in the other thread; I never quite understood why Fake Plastic Trees was so popular.

Huginn · 07-31-2003, 11:32 PM

For me The Bends is less acessible than other Radiohead albums but is just as rewarding.

Its boring for the first few listens but like jig said, it grows on you. Come back to it after hearing Pablo Honey and Amnesiac and you might find you like it more.

Shadowy Man · 08-01-2003, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jig
What did you think of Street Spirit (fade out)?

AWESOME!!

Wounded King · 08-01-2003, 06:38 AM

I really like 'Oxford's Angels' their B sides collection, especially the acoustic version of 'Creep'.

Hedwig · 08-01-2003, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shadowy Man
AWESOME!!

Agreed.

Secular Elation, definitely give The Bends a few more listens before giving up on it completely. It took me, a few days and some nice uninterupted driving time to start appreciating that album. Now it's easily the one I listen to the most often (though OK Computer still gets plenty of play time.)

Sakpo · 08-01-2003, 10:22 PM

Anyone who likes straight ahead rock as played by Radiohead also ought to get themselves the "Airbag/How Am I Driving" mini album. Tracks are:

Airbag, Pearly, Meeting In The Aisle, A Reminder, Polyethylene [Parts 1 & 2], Melatonin, Palo Alto.

Secular Elation · 08-04-2003, 08:51 PM

Okay, it's been a few days since I posted my original message, and I've given The Bends a few more listens.

Now, when I read my original post, I can only think, "What the hell was wrong with me?"

I've given this album a few more spins, and I must say, I think it's great! I love most of the songs on this album--the only song that hasn't caught my fancy is the final track. After giving it a few chances, it has really gotten underneath my skin. A few of the songs I just can't get out of my head. Perhaps my favorite track at the moment is "Bones"--it's a rockin', catchy song that I can't help but sing along to when I listen to it. But most of the other songs are just as great.

I think I know why I initially disliked it so much: I was still high from experiencing Ok Computer, which is still their best, but I am very satisfied with The Bends. I was so enchanted by Ok Computer that I wasn't really interested in anything else. But I'm glad I decided not to return The Bends to the music store.

07-31-2003, 10:18 PM	#1
Secular Elation Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: California Posts: 6,196	The Bends / Kid A (yet another Radiohead thread) Everyone's probably getting sick of discussing Radiohead by now, understandably. But one more thing... In another thread I started ("Radiohead - Hail to the Theif") a few people suggested The Bends (one person said they liked it more than OK Computer) and some suggested Kid A (claiming it is "awesome"). I got both of them today, and gave both a good listen. The Bends: not really fond of this album right now. A lot of people say it rivals OK Computer: how?! Nothing really special on this album. All the tracks sound too much alike, to me. Nothings stands out, and not one song is particularly great or interesting. Overall, it strikes me as rather boring. Right now I'm giving it a thumbs down. Kid A: This album is...different. Very difficult. You really have to pay attention to it. It's not easy to get into. Not very musically attracting--it takes effort to absorb these songs. Very abstract. Some of the songs are arranged very well, and there are many cool sounds throughout. Still, I'm liking this one more than The Bends at the moment. This sounds like a record that, after more listens, will likely grow on me. It's bizarre to see that this is the first record released after OK Computer--Kid A couldn't be farther in nature. This album has received many rave reviews, but I think it's far from their best work. I dunno. Maybe a few listens before I come to a concrete opinion. Still need to try out Pablo Honey and Amnesiac. I've heard a couple of songs off Amnesiac, and they do sound good. Only song off Pablo Honey I know is "Creep," which is one of my favorites. Haven't heard many good things about Pablo Honey, besides that. Besides the lackluster The Bends and the difficult Kid A, Radiohead still deserves accolades for their incomparable masterpiece, OK Computer. Additionally, their new album is also fantastic. These two records alone still make them one of my most favorite bands.

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07-31-2003, 10:56 PM	#2
RevDahlia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 4,930	Pablo Honey doesn't count. Don't bother.

07-31-2003, 11:20 PM	#4
jig Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 448	What did you think of Street Spirit (fade out)? When I first got The Bends I didn't get around to listening to all the other tracks properly for months because I fell in love with Street Spirit on first listening. And then afterwards tracks like High and Dry, Just and My Iron Lung really started to grow on me. But I agree with what another poster said in the other thread; I never quite understood why Fake Plastic Trees was so popular.

07-31-2003, 11:32 PM	#5
Huginn Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Lincoln, England Posts: 1,499	For me The Bends is less acessible than other Radiohead albums but is just as rewarding. Its boring for the first few listens but like jig said, it grows on you. Come back to it after hearing Pablo Honey and Amnesiac and you might find you like it more.

08-01-2003, 06:38 AM	#7
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	I really like 'Oxford's Angels' their B sides collection, especially the acoustic version of 'Creep'.

08-01-2003, 10:22 PM	#9
Sakpo Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Pacific Northwest (illegally occupied indigenous l Posts: 7,716	Anyone who likes straight ahead rock as played by Radiohead also ought to get themselves the "Airbag/How Am I Driving" mini album. Tracks are: Airbag, Pearly, Meeting In The Aisle, A Reminder, Polyethylene [Parts 1 & 2], Melatonin, Palo Alto.

08-04-2003, 08:51 PM	#10
Secular Elation Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: California Posts: 6,196	Okay, it's been a few days since I posted my original message, and I've given The Bends a few more listens. Now, when I read my original post, I can only think, "What the hell was wrong with me?" I've given this album a few more spins, and I must say, I think it's great! I love most of the songs on this album--the only song that hasn't caught my fancy is the final track. After giving it a few chances, it has really gotten underneath my skin. A few of the songs I just can't get out of my head. Perhaps my favorite track at the moment is "Bones"--it's a rockin', catchy song that I can't help but sing along to when I listen to it. But most of the other songs are just as great. I think I know why I initially disliked it so much: I was still high from experiencing Ok Computer, which is still their best, but I am very satisfied with The Bends. I was so enchanted by Ok Computer that I wasn't really interested in anything else. But I'm glad I decided not to return The Bends to the music store.

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