Radiohead

"The Bends"

One of the saddest things in the music industry is that a band can put out a great debut album and then never release anything worthwhile again. Radiohead's latest album "The Bends" was preceded by questions of "can it compare to the powerful 'Pablo Honey' of 1993?" Radiohead's latest album "The Bends" also affirms "hell yes!" to such a stupid question.

While "Fake Plastic Trees" and "Just" are buzzing over various airwaves around the world, no track on this CD should be overlooked. "Planet Telex" opens the CD with some great guitar work and lyrics. We move on through "Fake" to "(nice dream)" which pulls you right in by Thom's guiding voice, thrashes you around for a while, and returns you to your dream- like state. "My Iron Lung," "Bullet Proof..I Wish I Was," this album is exactly what your ears wish they had.

One unfortunate situation for Radiohead was that on the eve of their tour with Soul Asylum, their equipment was stolen. This effectively canceled those shows. But their apparatus has since been returned. This can only mean that everyone's hopes of seeing them live can be actualized. Until that live show rolls into town, pick up "The Bends" and prepare. Radiohead is here to stay.

Jeff Jolley