Pablo Honey was fine and all, but -- the singular greatness of "Creep" notwithstanding -- Radiohead's debut album didn't necessarily suggest that the young Oxfordshire quintet would come back quite as hard as they did two years later in 1995 with The Bends.

Pressured by their label to come up with another "Creep," the band eventually went the other way, crafting a sophomore album heavy on nuance and mystery and indulging their "prog" tendencies to a much higher degree. Ironically, as outwardly challenging as it first seemed, The Bends proved to be something of a hit machine; suddenly, "My Iron Lung," "Fake Plastic Trees," "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" and "High And Dry" and their accompanying videos were freakin' everywhere. And Radiohead was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest bands on the planet. It's hard to believe, in hindsight, that the group initially promoted The Bends Stateside by touring as opening act for Alanis Morissette. And it's safe to say the likes of Coldplay, Travis and Keane would not be where they are today were it not for this record. 

TRACKLISTING:

1. Planet Telex
2. The Bends
3. High and Dry
4. Fake Plastic Trees
5. Bones
6. (Nice Dream)
7. Just
8. My Iron Lung
9. Bullet Proof.. I Wish I Was
10. Black Star
11. Sulk
12. Street Spirit (Fade Out)