Scoring a perfect 10 on Pitchfork, Radiohead’s The Bends: Collectors Edition is one of their strongest albums, sonically and lyrically. The band’s sophomore album contains themes of sickness, jealousy, depression, and living up to the chart and sales standards made by their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993). 

The Bends by Radiohead is an English Rock album released on March 13th, 1995. The collectors edition was released on August 31st, 2009 and includes B-sides from the singles and live performance versions. 

Although the album is nearing its 30th anniversary, the themes told through lyrics still resonate today. The track ‘Black Star’ has gained recognition for impressive instrumentals and daunting lyrics (“Troubled words of a troubled mind / I try to understand what what is eating you”), and the title track has a timeless sense of confusion and need (“Where do we go from here? / The words are coming out all weird / Where are you now, when I need you?”), which connects and relates to generations alike. The emotional turbulence sung by Thom Yorke, accompanied by guitars from Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood, as well as drums from Philip Selway and bass from Colin Greenwood, leave the album as an eternal work of art. 

The standard edition contains 12 tracks and sits at 48 minutes and 39 seconds. Fans of Radiohead should look for the members’ other projects, including The Smile (Yorke, Greenwood, Tom Skinner) and their recent album, Wall of Eyes, as well as their upcoming 2024 tour. Any enthusiasts of The Bends should consider listening to Different Class by Pulp, When the Pawn… by Fiona Apple, and 13 by Blur. 

Final Review: 10/10