Aren't Radiohead Amazing?!

[@JustinHawkinsRidesAgain]

What's your favourite Radiohead song?

[@antoniobatista8009]

Pyramid Song

[@BrockwellLanemodelrailway]

Man of War is amazing and the video. They actually left it off OK Computer

[@manna6618]

I think No Surprises is one of the prettiest songs EVER written...tho Pyramids is my fave.

[@CokeeDaPenguin]

Talk Show Host, How to disappear Completely....so many and so difficult to choose

[@mercyseat6608]

Pyramid song - pure distilled beauty of feeling at peace. I want it to be the last thing I ever hear.

[@Hoscitt]

I can't even begin to articulate how perfect In Rainbows still is to this day

[@jackallenproductions]

It is a killer album. Took me a while to get into the followup, The King of Limbs. But their performance of that album on that "From The Basement" session really opened it up for me. Have you had the chance to listen to Thom & Johnny's new project The Smile?

[@Doonisha86]

I completely agree! It’s my favourite Radiohead album and Weird Fishes/Arpeggi is in top 5 favourite Radiohead songs and they’ve done a lot of amazing songs.

[@thebluetwistie]

Especially love In the Basement on KZbin.

[@Literallyjustmint]

Best album ever made

[@Adam-y6s6e]

Preach!

[@JKenjiLopezAlt]

Iron lung was a song about creep, and how that song was the iron ling keeping their careers alive. It’s also (I believe) the only song on the album actually recorded live with no overdubs. The Bends is incredible.

[@SchmavidSchmobb]

Oh my goodness, how fantastic to see your mug in these comments. How great is Justin?

[@ryanbelo8798]

Thom’s vocals were overdubbed but yeah everything else was from the 1994 Astoria performance

[@tvsi23]

Two worlds collide!

[@carlossantiago2659]

wow, my cooking hero also likes my musical heroes.

[@canakowo6301]

Oh my god you are the last person I expected to see here but I'm so happy you like radiohead

[@agamemnon730]

I think Moon Shaped Pool doesn’t get the recognition it deserves yet either because it’s so recent. At first I struggled to listen through, and coming back to try again after a few years it all of a sudden resonated strongly. Wondered if it was a life experience thing

[@s4mcote]

It’s in the top 3 of their albums for me. It’s haunting and beautiful.

[@edonave]

I experienced the EXACT SAME THING. Glad someone else did. And yeah, I think so!

[@topwomble]

Moon Shaped Pool went straight to my number 2 Radiohead album after The Bends for me, after just a couple of listens - people thought I was crazy (maybe still do)

[@shankrl1]

Thank you! My fav album of theirs

[@RichPal_]

Radiohead are number 1 for me. I seriously think Thom should be looked at in history as one of the greatest musical artists that has ever lived. Maybe I'm biased but the man's a genius.

[@jamesthecat]

No, he absolutely is. That incredibly prolific period between The Bends & OK Computer includes a lot of songs that Thom just worked out on piano, by himself. The rest of the band were in awe.

[@nedim_guitar]

Radiohead will be remembered in history as one the greatest bands of our time.

[@NicHills]

agreed

[@lisawebb3629]

The Bends is my favourite Radiohead album ❤ great voice and guitars

[@Psymbob]

100%. Gave my son the middle name Yorke.

[@bwdrums1]

"Fake Plastic Trees" is an incredible song. One of my all time favorites.

[@inkwisitive]

They’ve done more “interesting”, technically accomplished songs but I’ve always had the biggest emotional response to Fake Plastic Trees. What a song

[@lisajohnson1528]

Wears her out bit with the keyboards gets me everytime

[@bwdrums1]

@@lisajohnson1528 I know, it's one of the saddest musical bits that I've ever heard.

[@krishivkaran5337]

​@@inkwisitiveMe with 'Motion Picture Soundtrack'. Fake Plastic Trees is great, but good god is that track a punch in the gut.

[@ziggylayneable]

The Bends and okay computer have managed to lay themselves into my mind as a 48-year-old man who considered himself a metalhead in the '90s, as two of the most amazing albums to come out of the decade

[@christopherweise438]

Right on. I certainly have my preferences.....but good music is good music. PERIOD.

[@Michael-mm3fm]

Me too. Hard to choose. Fake Plastic Trees on one side, Lucky on the other…

[@silkywellman8528]

You are very correct good sir

[@mikedaknight8854]

I got a lot of abuse when I was a teen in the 90s because we were all listening to Metallica, iron maiden, offspring and nirvana. And I was also borrowing my brothers Radiohead cds... Apparently this was unacceptable 😂 Being an adult has its perks, I can listen to radiohead, mastodon, bowling for soup and benny Greb and no one can touch me

[@dcthegreatest24]

@Bloom Tik Bloom yes, those 3 albums are their best to me

[@jasongagliardi8664]

So hard to pick one, but Fake Plastic Trees always gets me, that ethereal falsetto, the yearning lyrics, the plangent sense of loss and longing, striving and struggle, with a touch a dark humour. Gravity always wins. Genius.

[@darrencarpenter6468]

Yes, bloody amazing. I love this band, still making some of my favourite music. Colin Greenwood doesn’t get enough recognition in my opinion, killer bassist.

[@jeffloucks2120]

Absolutely agree on Colin.

[@TheGuitarModder]

Agreed. Totally underrated. The man plays with so much taste. I think the bassline for airbag is his finest moment. Proving less truly is more.

[@drexlspivey5828]

@@TheGuitarModder I love the way when The Bends kicks in before the first proper verse he matches the lead line Johnny is playing but it's slightly different notes, and perfectly selected notes, you can tell he pays extremely close attention to what he's playing/writing as his note choice is always flawless

[@songforbro]

Love Colin’s work on Where I End And You Begin.

[@SmarteeeOutdoors]

I used to avoid listening to anything by Radiohead, for years. Then, once I hit my mid-thirties, my stepsister played High and Dry in the car. I instantly wanted more, and couldn’t understand why I’d willingly missed out. Got to see them live a few years later. Now, at 50 odd, I’m content to know that although I was late, I’m now a huge fan. Kudos for the Video.

[@AnyoneCanSee]

It's very easy to play on the guitar as well. I learned it from watching the video and I'm shit on the guitar.

[@stuartmitchell1908]

The band of my life. I remember hearing Ok Computer first from a dodgy chap at work selling albums on burnt CDs. Never looked back. Anima is my most recent vinyl purchase. Give that a listen Justin, it’s like an ambient retelling of OK.

[@rangerwhite5165]

Ok Computer is their Dark Side Of The Moon. Just timeless. It predicted the social isolation and problems that was going to come with modern technology. The Bends is still a fantastic listen. Beautifully crafted songs. They're just brilliant.

[@joinedupjon]

Radio 4 did a show about OK Computer last night... it's 25 years since it was released. and that was 24 years after Dark Side of the Moon. Seemed a bit surprising that OK Computer has now been in the world longer than Dark Side had been when radiohead were writing OK Computer but there it is.

[@edmanning274]

@@joinedupjon You just blew my mind

[@ThePaleRider84]

I've said OK computer is their Dark Side of the Moon for years. Super ambitious record.

[@aldogonzalez5537]

"The Bends" is by far one of the greatest albums of all time. What an achievement in songwriting and musicianship.

[@manna6618]

A lot of people rate TOOL for a spiral-out ethereal experience, but I really think Radiohead takes you to another dimension just as much. A different dimension admittedly, but still on another plane. Spiritual.

[@jager9022]

Insert obligatory “tOoL sUcKs” or “ToOl aRe OvErRaTeD” comment

[@eachday9538]

Sorry, Tool and Radiohead are both greyscale, smooth brained, cockroach level spirit animal, crystal energy of a urinal cake, compared to the epic unintended rock psychedelia of Khun Narin Electric Phin Band. You can thank me when you are me in universal conciousness: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGfQfX6Vrrtqr6s

[@GG-ml3vr]

But they dont have a Danny carey

[@crazedzealots]

Radiohead and Tool are my two most favorite bands of all time.

[@RedLeggett]

I love how different, yet equally transcendental, both Tool and RH are...I've been in love with Tool since I first heard Undertow on cassette at age 5 in 1996. I didnt fall in love with RH until 18 because I just didnt get it for years.... I'd only heard creep on the radio. But when I heard Jigsaws Falling for the first time my senior year.... I instantly got it and never looked back.

[@zfgdun]

Radiohead is one of the best bands ever. Very hard to pick favorite songs. Definitely "My Iron Lung" and "Weird Fishes" are in my top. Excellent video man, "Just listen to the rythm of my heart". LMAO Cheers!

[@thingsmake]

Fair play to you JH, I’ve just discovered your channel and it’s now bringing all sorts of light and joy into my life on a regular basis. Stay generous 🙌

[@SNOWLAND88]

I read somewhere that 'My Iron Lung' is a reference to their huge success that followed from 'Creep'. It catapulted them into stardom a little too fast for them to comprehend, hence the album name 'The Bends', which you can get from reaching the surface of the water too fast while underwater diving at greater depths. You also treat the bends in an iron lung. Could be fabrication, i don't know. I might be wrong.

[@charliebluechaos4963]

The song "The bends" was actually written before they released "Pablo Honey" and before their first hit single. They weren't anywhere near "the top," didn't even have an actual career when it was written

[@TJ-vt6rt]

Well yes. "this is our new song, just like the last one, a total waste of time'.

[@elreym]

I see what ya did there

[@timontide6404]

You can treat the bends with an iron lung but it won't work. A hyperbaric chamber is better.

[@sophiew1967]

The bends is treated with a pressurised hyperbaric chamber..different to an iron lung which was used in the 40-60' s with polio patients

[@musicmann1967]

"Black Star" is the song that grabbed me immediately on first listen. The whole album is brilliant, but that song will always be my sentimental favorite because it's the one that made me a fan. I didn't really care for "Pablo Honey" so it was a total surprise for me to do a total 180 in my opinion of them. I dont think thats ever happened to me again.

[@ectoplasma5]

Yes i love Black Star too,that song could have been a single.

[@jamesthecat]

I agree, but for me it was the other way around, Black Star was the one that stayed with me after not listening to the album for a while.

[@chrisf7189]

I agree that The Bends was a big leap forward from Pablo Honey. I was blown away by it on the 1st listen, which doesn't happen very often.

[@atomicsmith]

Yeah, that's a personal favorite of mine too. If I had to pick "the best" on the album it wouldn't be that song, but there's something about it that seems to speak personally to people.

[@ectoplasma5]

@@atomicsmith yeah it is not that experimental or groundbraking but has such a pretty melody.

[@myenemysenemy1043]

I'm not really a Radiohead fan, but In Rainbows is one of my all time favourite albums. Reckoner, in particular, is spectacular.

[@leerylifeform]

Oh man, you clearly aren’t a Radiohead fan then. Recliner (spell correct did this but I’m keeping it, LOL) is dreadful and In Rainbows is a glorified B-sides album.

[@thisaintnodisco8351]

@@leerylifeform wow, I pity you

[@harrycornish9059]

@@leerylifeform In Rainbows is a work of genius. Reckoner on a quality pair of headphones is musical heaven

[@DeclanVH]

@@leerylifeform No, you clearly aren't a Radiohead fan if you think In Rainbows is a B-side album. In Rainbows doesn't even make my top 3, but it's clearly one of their best works. If you were a true Radiohead fan, then you would know how much people love this album.

[@leerylifeform]

@@DeclanVH Dude, I was a Radiohead fan in the 90s and that's how I know that most of In Rainbows is old material because I had already heard all of the bootlegs a million times!

[@TheInternetIsDeadToMe]

It’s the first CD I owned that completely blew my teenage brain/made me want to be a musician.

[@russelltreadway]

I was in high school when the bends came out. It completely blew my mind, I remember going to the record store, buying the album and running back home to listen to it. I was living in Mexico back then and cd's were expensive, but it was totally worth it, the music feels very personal, like it speaks to me or something.... thanks for the video!

[@conorgillespie7832]

Pardon me but out of curiosity did you know English at the time or was it just you really liked the sound? In my time traveling I'm always surprised to hear English speaking songs on the radio and playing in the shops and the like and always found it rather interesting because personally I'm not the biggest fan of music in a different language than my own.

[@memetherapy]

The Smile debut album is dropping in a few days. Have a listen to the single Thin Thing which they just released. I can't believe they continue to explore new musical territory after all these years. They are timeless legends.

[@sp00ky1969]

I saw them in Prague recently - truly incredible musicians and performers.

[@RustinChole]

The Smile record….. and I say this as a nearly 30 year fan, is fucking REALLY cool. It’s packed with ideas, and energy, and there’s distorted guitars, and crazy mathy stuff…. Honestly it’s kinda what I hoped they’d sound like post Rainbows.

[@yourstrulytheartfuldodger]

Loving that album, and especially Thin Thing! Might be my single favourite guitar work from Johnny Greenwood

[@sovka8394]

nothing close to Radiohead in their prime sadly..

[@StephenReid-hk8hs]

Seen the smile in Glasgow a couple of months ago, unbelievable experience 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👀🎸👍

[@thomjer5276]

Being a Radiohead follower from the beginning, it is really very respectful for yourself to come out and say what you have. Much love sir..

[@Matt_on_life]

Love Radiohead! In spite of being one of those who plays your music nonstop, I have recently been deep diving into the album “In Rainbows”. Some great tracks in there 😁

[@jameshannagan4256]

The basement session for IR is one of the best things I have ever heard musically and TKOL from the basement is almost as good.

[@grimly105]

I think radiohead is honestly one of the greatest bands of all time.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

I’ve not listened to it for a long time. But I remember hearing it for the first time in ’95 and being freaked out by how good the album was/is and I loved the fact that they dedicated the album to Bill Hicks. They toured “The Bends” for at least a year and I saw them twice in ‘96, at “T In The Park” and in Galway Ireland. They were fantastic - full guns blazing, especially in Galway. I still have a love for the band. I’m going to listen to it now.

[@jacquiharrison2425]

Indeed! This will be my morning commute album tomorrow… it’ll be like seeing an old friend!

[@Pstaines439]

Bill Hicks was right about everything

[@mattrennie6876]

@@Pstaines439 we all knew he was right at the time as well.

[@RustinChole]

It’s funny, Radiohead, TOOL, Rage Against The Machine, and REM all dedicated albums to Bill. That’s how I discovered him, “who is this guy all my favorite bands keep talking about?!” Bill Hicks. “Agent Of Evolution” is a remarkable book by Bill’s best buddy.

[@melvoid01]

I first heard your (The Darkness) version of Street Spirit on the John Peel festive 50, if that is not the greatest justification for you covering that song I do not know what would be, and I still listen to it to this day on a regular basis. Yes Radiohead are indeed amazing.

[@MrBfg586]

You really are an underrated singer Justin. Love the channel.

[@tryharder75]

keep coming back to this cos Justin is very eloquent and his love of radiohead is expressed so well

[@curmudgeon8]

Their whole discography is amazing, I can say honestly, their music has changed my life, it really is brilliant, structure and chord progressions are clever, learned a lot just by listening to them.

[@Novotny72]

Creep hadn't really done it for me and heard nothing else from them, but when High and Dry came out I was like woah, I want to hear that album. Breath-taking. Every song a bona-fide classic, imo.

[@thegoldenhammer12]

Thank u for mentioning Travis, Justin! I've loved those guys since their 1st album. I actually found 5 cds in a lil rinky dink hillbilly flea market last weekend! Blew my mind! Also, ur voice sounds amazing spitting those Radiohead lines!

[@stephenphilip8]

I got shivers when you started singing fake plastic trees. Legend. Absolutely love this album. Thanks for the brilliant videos Mr Hawkins

[@mbellishment]

You forgot to mention that the song 'Bones' has the greatest bass tone of any song ever recorded.. and that Colin Greenwood is probably the most underrated bass player out there

[@BarbaraAntoinetteVeronica]

What I liked about this podcast was it illustrated your administration for Radiohead, a band I as aware of, but never had the opportunity to familiarize myself of You convinced me to do so, thank you, Justin.

[@burtbackattack]

Yay!! I seriously love this album! The first gig I ever attended was Radiohead when they were touring this album. I was 15/16 and me and 2 school friends saw them in a smallish venue on the campus of Exeter university, like everyone else at the gig we only knew Creep (which they played as an encore). It's still probably the coolest gig I ever attended and my older brother is still jealous of me to this day! Brilliant.

[@American-Dragon]

I thought they were over rated. One day I was walking up town and a coworker saw me and asked if I wanted to see radiohead. This was on the bends tour. Saw them at the Roseland in Manhattan. Was not exited about going. Totally blown away. This was my first hearing of the bends and it was amazing. The thing about this particular album is how the songs flow into another like dark side of the moon but it is not an opera.

[@burtbackattack]

@@American-Dragon Same here, me and my pals were blown away too. Glad there's someone else in the comments who caught them on that tour!

[@jamesthecat]

I remember a musician friend commenting on how tight they were at this period.

[@emileconstance5851]

Yes, I'd also put Radiohead among the top 10 all-time greats. Unbelievably consistently good from one album to the next, while always trying new things. Such brilliant songwriting and musicianship. They took music to an entirely new and wonderful place. Also, best live performance I've ever witnessed.

[@rhiannonstundon5184]

Agree 100% Could not say it any better

[@memetherapy]

Kid A is my favorite album of theirs. But The Bends always has a soft spot. The song writing is more conventional but so perfect. I appreciate the youthfulness in Thom's voice. It's that stage as a singer after finding your voice and still belting but not yet becoming jaded where you end up with heavier more dreary stuff like OKC (which is up there too). Really, every album has its own unique compelling feel. There can't be a favorite Radiohead song. There are too many masterpieces that relate to distinct emotions.

[@zoethebear]

I love that you chose The Bends. It seems to play second fiddle to any of their other albums, but it is their most important moment. It’s a life changing album. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@doctortibbsy9709]

I love Radiohead. Your cover of Street Spirit (Fade Out) is spectacular, too. A great cover, but your own version that doesn't try to be better than the original or do the same thing as the original, just your own way to play a great song.

[@ginamcgill7054]

One of the greatest bands to ever come out of these weird old isles. My favourite song of theirs is (I think.....) Paranoid Android. My favourite album, judged in entirety rather than for highlights would probably be In Rainbows. The Bends is brilliant but I think they've only ever got better from there.

[@bandersnatched]

In Rainbows probably takes top slot for me, too as a whole experience. Though Reckoner alone is a contender for top track, Paranoid Android & Pyramid Song are definitely on that list, too.

[@davidharvey8812]

Saw them at Glastonbury in 1997 . Totally blew me away! It later got voted the best Glastonbury performance ever !

[@cchimozmin]

I saw Super Furry Animals. They were on at the same time

[@skillen19]

@@cchimozmin that was in 2003. Their performances didn't clash in 1997.

[@Lukerbts]

Thanks for announcing your tour to Australia, Justin. Im there.

[@DJChizzlesworth]

The Bends made me a firm Radiohead fan, soundtracked my last couple of high school years, before OK Computer came along and blew my socks off. Two totally different albums, two massively influential ones. I honestly don't know what I'd do without Radiohead in my life, my absolute all time favourite band.

[@leejlogan]

Hail to the Thief is my favourite album. I love a lot of their albums but that one has a moodiness that has stuck with me for years and I love it.

[@rupe82]

Nice! I've been waiting for you to do a video on Radiohead. The cover you did of Street Spirit was fantastic.

[@mrsuspend]

I love the Bends! So happy you chose it.

[@jamiewm]

This album, what can I say that hasn’t already been said? - it’s a masterpiece, simple as that 👌

[@daveystrange]

The Bends was my first introduction to The Radioheadz, I would've been about 17/18 yo, about two years after it came out. Why I wasn't on it at 15 yo I couldn't say. I think I was still listening to Jimi Hendrix religiously then. It blew my mind upon first listen. Such a beautifully melancholic record from beginning to end. Timeless classic.

[@JoshuaM8]

Radiohead are not in the top 100, not even in the top 10...….they easily sit in the top 5 bands of all time! (yeah I said it!) Having been born at the beginning of the 90's I have grown up listening to Radiohead and through good times and bad have always sought out their music. I cannot express fully just how much their music means to me and I could not agree more that The Bends is an incredible album. I think your Brother was right Justin in that this album should be owned by everyone!

[@davidcortijo]

Listening The Bends for the first time at my 48s after almost three decades ignoring this band for something that remains forgotten in my memory.

[@jimrustle270]

I honestly think they can be considered the greatest band of all time, and that In Rainbows is the best album since DSoTM.

[@alexhenty76]

The Bends is an album I used to fall asleep listening to at uni for about a year and it’s one of my favourite albums EVER. It’s a honour to listen to it every single time and it pulls at my heartstrings. I hear it and I’m 19 again

[@cafeplastique890]

That album definitely meant EVERYTHING to me in 95/96. These days I still like it but when a Song comes on, maybe on my shuffle mode, they no longer rattle me quite like they used to, while songs from "Surfer Rosa" or "Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot" or "Bandwagonesque" still have that capacity. I may have overplayed the album at the time but maybe I have moved on in my own life. "The Bends" is a record that very much focuses on the bleak and the fears, and I was consumed by angst in that time of my life. I have since learned to identify and cherish what I love about life and to pursue that, I am of course not always successful, but I am on track to being somebody who is pretty much at ease with himself. So "The Bends" feels like revisiting an earlier version of me that no longer quite represents me. I do believe that wearing The Bends so close to my heart at the time may have helped me on my journey to leave the darker thoughts behind me, because it identified and transmitted them so well. And it will always have stunningly beautiful and crunchingly powerful sounds, gorgeous melodies and its poetically articulate lyrics will never cease to be amazing. it is incredible how Thom Yorke seems so oblique when it comes to literal meaning, yet precise like he was cutting with a scalpel when it comes to transcribing the emotional, the visceral into emotive pictures.

[@atomicsmith]

Yeah, I had to put this album down for several years. Came back to it recently, and enjoyed it just as much as before.

[@evanhouston7246]

I didn't expect to find another Sparklehorse fan here 🙂

[@becausegang7266]

The absolute best band. My all time favourite, they have got me through some bad times and I have had some of the best times of my life listening to them. Amazing live, just nothing but love

[@daveystrange]

This has reminded me of something others (especially artists) may find interesting: I remember seeing an interview with Thom talking about his love for Neil Young, particularly the earlier albums (may have been Goldrush), and his appreciation for Neil's simplicity, especially in the instrumentation. He then went on to say something like - and I heavily paraphrase here - Radiohead are a fine example of too much going on. That struck me that even an artist of Thom's calibre is capable of negative self comparison.

[@Titeroper]

This made such an impact on me as a gangly, introvert 15-year youngling. Popped this into my newly gifted Discman (thanks Sony!) and listened to it on repeat while we were on family holiday on Reunion island in 95. Personal Favourite song has to be "All in need' off in Rainbows though...which is my number 1 ranked Radiohead album, with the bends in 2nd place.

[@theelderskatesman4417]

Love National Anthem, which I feel is an homage to Ascension by John Coltrane. Thom doing Neil Young on Neil's old piano is a another personal fave.

[@rylieriley]

Yes! Thom Yorke is one of my absolute favorite singers ever (along with another singer named Justin Hawkins 🙃). I've been thinking about Radiohead the last few days, and here you go and upload a video discussing them. We must be on the same wavelength, Justin. 😜

[@philippamarsh8185]

Radiohead are the modern Beatles. “OK Computer” completely changed my view of music &… the world, frankly. Along with The Deftones they are the only band to still consistently produce artistically credible, listenable & awesome music. Freakin awesome!! 🤯

[@silkywellman8528]

I have grown to really love your show!👍

[@jonsvanursveinsson9293]

“That he bought from a rubber man in a town full of Robert Plants”

[@SORiley]

That’s all I can hear now 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@RobTackettCovers]

Oh no, another CD I have been tasked to listen to front to back...all right Justin Hawkins...I'll give it a go...editing in: correction...I'm at about 10:37 in the video and the instructions have been up'd to being instructed to listen to it 2 times instead of just once...ok..ok...Editing in again to comment after listening to the whole album: Justin Hawkins is right agan...again...really though, it only took one pass through it to conclude just how good this album is...how did this get past me? Thanks Justin.

[@jacksondrake-lost]

Yes they are. AND they are masters of songwriting and know how to work your emotions perfectly.

[@doc7434]

The bends was my first radiohead album. I fell in love with it. Rocks / soothes from start to finish. Great video!

[@benday1218]

I saw them on the OK Computer tour, I went on my own to the gig. An intense experience I'll always remember.

[@chrischilton8455]

So glad you chose The Bends. A lot of people choose OK Computer but for me The Bends is more musical and an engaging work of art from start to finish. After such a relentlessly perfect set of songs it finishes with an emphatic outro, Street Spirit, and that's the one I remember first when I think of this album. I saw them tour OK Computer in Wellington, New Zealand, in January 1998, when they played a good number of Bends tracks, and it remains the most mind-blowing show I've been at. All those lights, the amazing sound, the low-hanging ceiling of smoke from all the joints in the Events Centre. There was a lot of love in that arena.

[@MaquiladoraIII]

The Bends is still so, so good and unusually not front-loaded: Nice Dream to Street Spirit are absolutely incredible.

[@johnhuyton7966]

12 years or so ago when I was a ripe age of 19. A mate of mine copied some albums on CD for me before a long drive down to Cornwall. I put the bends on and never took it out. It was just brilliant. And I've enjoyed listening to it regularly in its entirety ever since

[@jimmy_the_dean1029]

Justin what are your thoughts on the smashing pumpkins 🎃

[@alancartridge]

Great shout

[@StephenS-2024]

Smashing Pumpkins? I love to do that! See Bowfinger.

[@dj-kq4fz]

I've worked very hard at being sincere, so I appreciate Radiohead's effort to be subtle. Thanks! Dave J

[@jacquiharrison2425]

I always thought Thom was a bit whiney, but I almost wore The Bends out from first hearing! I saw them around 2004 in Newcastle. So special and a soundtrack to my life at the time.

[@bigredtlc1828]

I will confess I have no idea what they're singing about most of the time but the instrumentation is just out of this world and so unique. I just watched YT video of In Rainbows done "live" in a studio-like atmosphere. Just amazing and lush and beautiful and rich. I do have The Bends. I'm going to do the listen. Thank you.

[@OTOss8]

They're amazing. The Bends was the soundtrack for one of the worst times in my life and I've probably listened to Street Spirit oh, I don't know, 2000 times? No joke. I had a chance to see them on the OK Computer tour. I was supposed to go with a friend of mine but he wouldn't return my calls so we could arrange to meet up and go into the show together. I waited as long as I could, then scalped his ticket for $20 (I later made him cough up the other $20 owed on the face price of the thing as I'd purchased both) and then sat there alone in a crowd of strangers and took in what is easily in the top 3 concerts I've ever seen. Just amazing stuff.

[@cconder19]

Wow! I thought I was the only Radiohead fan who really still appreciates The Bends. I tip my cap to you, good sir! It was, and still is, a great record. Their sound has evolved and their music has gotten better over time, but The Bends was a great work of art even if it was more “conventional” compared to their later work. Thanks for the video!

[@CapAnson12345]

I was never that into Radiohead. Just not that guy. But I keep hearing all these great things about them.. after a point around 2006 or so I was like well, Let me see.. what's their best album.. OK Computer everyone says? so I listened and I was like.. meh.. a bunch of electronic beeps and boops.. whatever. Then I kept hearing more things about them. So a few months later I listened to the album again.. All right fine.. it's ok. Then 6 months later again.. Oh actually I think I kinda like that song. Then again.. Then like the 5th time I listened to OK Computer everything just clicked into place and I was like this album is AMAZING! And been a fan ever since.

[@evanduquette]

Seems that all the best music takes a few listens to really click. Even bands that I love, I often have to push through a new album a couple times before I get it fully.

[@AaronDidIt]

I love the Johnny Greenwood acknowledging you story! Such a sincere bit of fanboying!

[@ghurley2269]

Along with Radio 'ead I thought the Manics released some of the best 90s records. The Holy Bible, Everything Must Go, and This Is My Truth are wonderful. Their last decade and a half has been quite amazing too - albums like Futurology, Journal for Plague Lovers, Ultra Vivid Lament - magical stuff.

[@thfc1984]

Manics are a great band, underrated IMO

[@LianneHutcheson]

I was 13 and bought the Bends with my babysitting money. The first cd I had ever bought and it is still one of my favorite albums. Radiohead is still my favorite band to this day (no offense -😅). I am obsessed with The Smile, can you do a video on them? It sounds like older Radiohead and it is amazing! Love your channel ❤

[@TheIceyeddy]

The Darkness's cover of Street Spirit was amazing.

[@bitzbox]

Incredible album, definitely up there as one of the best ever. Your version of Street Spirit is superb!

[@Erin-cu5oi]

I watched your episode this morning and told myself, once my husband and I get the kids to bed, we are going to chill out tonight and just re-visit this album. Side note* came across your channel two days ago and it is the best. Thanks!

[@jonnybeag887]

You should check out thom yorke and johnny greenwood's new project out called "the smile". Some amazing stuff on that

[@rhiannonstundon5184]

Yes, really loving this!

[@transmitcoum2857]

I love that Justin loves my two most loved bands, Radiohead and Cardiacs :) Juss is just a totally awesome cool guy !

[@jasonshort1437]

Whoa, does he do a video on Cardiacs?

[@Ed-cc7do]

I heard a story that when Bono and Bob Geldof got an audience with the head of the World Bank in NYC, the guy said 'before you tell me the fifty reasons we should cancel Third World debt, let me ask YOU a question - "what's better the Bends or OK Computer"? Bob and Bono's answer is lost to history.

[@titntin5178]

Great to see your take on this lot, glad you love em, as so many people do. I dont get them, not even a little bit, and it suprises and saddens me to be that guy, but id rather have silence than Radio Head. No idea why I dont get it, i get why people love most things, but im pretty sure they aren't missing my fandom, and the person missing out is me!

[@battousai12]

Radiohead are gods on earth

[@brendanjordan6780]

Just is still one of my favourite songs ever. And the video is a masterpiece also. Radiohead are next level in everything they do.

[@stewartmitchell8007]

Great band but interestingly, radiohead really admired and had a rivalry with the much underrated mansun. The first two albums from mansun where superb and very progressive.

[@daviebananas1735]

I don’t remember this at all? The Bends and OK Computer we’re both recorded before Mansun release their debut album. Radiohead were the biggest band in the world arguably by the time Mansun were releasing music. The first Radiohead album recorded after Mansun had released music was Kid A, so I don’t see any sort of competition with Mansun there.

[@angelaburrow8114]

My favourites are Fake Plastic Trees, No Surprises (from OK Computer). There There & 2+2=5 (from Hail to the Thief), Idioteque (from Kid A) & Reckoner (from In Rainbows). The thing I appreciate most is they never realise a similar album twice & are always developing their sound, so their music never gets stales. I love singing along, although I'm not a good singer, but who cares? No-one hears me & I enjoy it. I can nevef sing to Fake Plastic Tree though because it always makes me cry. It's hard to sing when you're blubbing your eyes out.

[@ozzyisgod1984]

In b4 the name change!

[@Mephisto7529]

I saw them on the Pablo Honey tour, Nile theater Mesa Az, and they blew me away. There have only been 2 albums that have made me say "WOW" the 1st time I listened to them, The Bends and Nothing Shocking(Janes Addiction). Defiantly in my top 5 albums of all time. Great video Justin.

[@itm72]

The Bends is THE best album of my lifetime. Nothing has come close since. I just wish they still wrote songs of that calibre. When you see them live the elevated ROAR for the older songs must be so obvious to the band.

[@Lukerbts]

The Darkness at the Enmore theatre on 16/10/22 guys, just announced.

[@gezzzkz9228]

My only problem with radiohead is that I can't listen to any other music for the rest of the day as it sounds awful in comparison. For example I love oasis, arctic monkeys, eg but after listening to radiohead for a bit they so are difficult to listen to afterwards.

[@jameshannagan4256]

That really is true though.

[@scsimurdoc]

Totally Agree Justin. I'm new to your channel Massive Darkness fan and Foo Fighters Super geek. Greenwood's Guitar mesmerised me when I was learning to play. We have a mutual dear departed friend too. Your old Road wizard - Nige Emory. I Love your work and love this channel. Hopefully we shall cross paths one day! Keep on Rocking (we can't stop either way! 😆❤🤘) - Fave Radio head song *Black Star* - Love to you and yours from Cheltenham. Glos

[@lwcarr3879]

You can rank them anywhere you like, as long as they're not higher than Queen.

[@inkwisitive]

Muse’s approach to music is basically Queeniohead

[@PartridgeExteriorCleaning]

can you please cover some songs quickly in these vids? even just 30 seconds of straight cover, youve got such an awesome voice man would love to hear you cover some of these great bands. Radiohead is my favourite band was happy to see this come up in my feed and know you feel the same. :D

[@watchmaster968]

The Bends is a masterpiece & I’m very honest & truthful, and Radiohead are on a par with Pink Floyd. You’ll never write anything as good however much you plagiarise others; even on an Ed Sheeran level of stealing. Radiohead is a British band to be proud of.

[@seamans90]

one of my favorite albums by one of my favorite bands thanks for giving them their due