Timeless Albums: Radiohead – The Bends
Where this idea came from: I went to Nashville a few years back and was hanging out with a producer friend of mine, Donnie Boutwell. He was talking about a certain album and said that it was timeless. It could have been made 30 years ago or last week and you would not know the difference. That piqued my interest and since then I've discovered several more, so maybe this will become a series.
THE BENDS by RADIOHEAD
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of Radiohead, unlike some of my friends. The more experimental stuff that they've done is really just over the top for me.
The Bends, however, is genius. The songs are strung together very well, the melodies are both invigorating and haunting, but most of all, it's accessible for most any listener. For nearly every year that I've owned the record I've found a new song that I like.
To me, the real test of a great song is whether it can stand up on its own away from production and all the other toys. These songs, if you have the skill required to play them, sound just as good on an acoustic guitar as they do on the album.
So, if you have a chance, go give it a listen because it sounds just as good today as it did when it was recorded in 1995.
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July 8th, 2008 - 21:21
Just to continue the discussion on timeless albums, I really think U2′s “Joshua Tree” is one of those albums. It doesn’t matter what mood I am in, or what situation I am in, Joshua Tree can provide me with whatever I need at that moment.
I’ll go ahead and just start a list going, in case you want to do a “list” post anytime soon:
1) Joshua Tree by U2
2) X&Y by Coldplay
3) The Places I’ve Come to Fear The Most by Dashboard Confessional
4) Clarity by Jimmy Eat World
Alright, I’ve given you enough ammo for another post…
July 8th, 2008 - 21:40
Dan,
Dead on with Joshua Tree. I’ve not really listened to much of X&Y. I’m a huge Dashboard Fan. I’ve tried, but not taken much to Jimmy Eat World.
-ryan
July 9th, 2008 - 14:18
I’m totally with you on this. The Bends, Kid A, and OK computer are THE best albums by Radiohead. In Rainbows is great too but the first three are entirely in a different league.
July 9th, 2008 - 14:22
I’ve never really listened to Kid A or OK Computer. I had a friend the other day really pushing In Rainbows on me. I’ll have to give them all another listen. Thanks for the suggestion.
July 9th, 2008 - 20:38
Haven’t taken much to Jimmy Eat World!?!? Oh man Ryan, this is something that we need to work on and come to a solution on quick if we want to remain friends, because my friend, that band, in particular that album, has solely been one of the most inspiring pieces of art to come in the last decade, to me.
Obviously, I am over-exaggerating a little, but can I ask you, what albums have you heard from them? And I don’t mean any of the singles, because to be honest, some of their most groundbreaking work has not been a single, it’s been an overlooked track. To really gain insight on any album, you’ve got to look past the radio-whored single. (pardon my intensity, but as you can tell, this is a hot button topic for me)
Anyway, this is an internet comment so don’t take it too seriously as if I was yelling at you, I just love that album and band and want everyone to as well.
July 9th, 2008 - 21:12
Um, I did listen to part of Clarity, at least I think it was Clarity. Whatever album it was, it was the one with In the Middle. Can’t say that I listened for more than about 15 minutes, though, all of 4 years ago.