I am relatively new to the Radiohead hype train, having only just started listening to them in 2025. Newcomer or not, “The Bends” is not just one of the best albums in the band’s discography, I would argue it is one of the best albums of all time. 

Now of course music is subjective and everyone’s all time rankings would likely look very different apart from a few universal spots for generation defining artists. 

I think Radiohead belongs in that category. 

True revolutionaries of a genre that produced some of the best albums in history all within a few year window. 

“OK Computer” is universally heralded as an all time classic. They followed that up with “Kid A,” another all timer. This is even failing to mention the reason for this article, “The Bends” which turns 30 years old tomorrow and still sounds as great as ever. 

“The Bends” was released at a time when Radiohead was still trying to properly capitalize on the world wide phenomenon that was their debut single “Creep” that took the industry by storm when first released in 1992. 

“My Iron Lung,” a track on this album was actually written about the pressure the band felt to do just that, drawing comparisons between the single as being the sole reason the band was staying alive. 

This album definitively cemented Radiohead as mainstays in the industry and removed any worries that they would go down as another dreaded “one hit wonder” band. 

With singles like “High and Dry” and “Fake Plastic Trees,” Radiohead began the upward trajectory that would eventually culminate with them becoming the single biggest band in the world for a time, an honor that precious few groups have ever had.

“Fake Plastic Trees” was actually originally recorded in a lower vocal register but after seeing Jeff Buckley live, lead singer Thom Yorke decided to re-record the song in a falsetto register and the rest, as they say, was history. 

As if we needed anymore reason to love Jeff Buckley. 

Basically, if you haven’t listened to this album, drop everything and listen to it now. It clocks in at just under 50 minutes of pure alternative rock goodness and will no doubt leave its mark on you, for better or worse. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment