The Smile - "Bending Hectic" » TRACK REVIEW

BENDING HECTIC is the latest track from The Smile, surprise dropped on 6/20/2023.
Is it a dud or a stud, killer or filler, a turkey or a gem?
Get the official BOKY hot take right here!

[@MrMurph73]

I agree. It's probably my favourite Smile track now. Im not into them nearly as much as Radiohead, but this track is fantastic. Nice review :)

[@beardsofkentucky]

Thanks! I'm just really impressed by how rejuvenated Thom and Jonny sound. I would be happy if The Smile stuff was just new Radiohead music, which is the first time I could say that about any of the side or solo projects. Of course, Radiohead always holds the #1 place in my heart, but The Smile's music is my favorite from the Radiohead camp since In Rainbows.

[@barbaraseagle8693]

Bending Hectic blew my mind!!!

[@beardsofkentucky]

ME TOO

[@aprilhoh1898]

Great overview of the song. I absolutely love this song, though it is not easy to listen to. That distorted string section brings me to my knees every time I hear it. It’s so metaphorical and terrifying ending in that “crash” at the end. I almost feel like I’ve fallen off that cliff and find myself holding my breath for the 30 second fall. It’s a 10/10 song for me and while it’s not my favorite song (Weird Fishes holds that spot) I think it’s a masterpiece.

[@beardsofkentucky]

Agreed, it's pretty amazing!

[@Casualfulltime]

I love it.Mastering is very distorted in the mids though but it seems purposeful.

[@beardsofkentucky]

Def interesting production. It sounds magnificent to me!

[@londonboy1972]

This is a really good review.

[@beardsofkentucky]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@garrettskindell1131]

its literally about driving a car off a cliff... "I'm changing down the gears I'm slamming on the brakes A vintage soft top From the sixties We're coming to a bend now Skidding 'round the hairpin A sheer drop down The Italian mountainside Time is kind of frozen As you're gazing at the view And I swear I'm seeing double No one's gonna bring me down, no No way and no how I'm letting go of the wheel 'Cause it might be as well It might be as well I've got these slings I've got these arrows I'll force myself to I've got these slings I've got these arrows I'll force myself to turn, turn The ground is coming for me now We've gone over the edge If you've got something to say Say it now No one's gonna bring me down, no No way and no how I'm letting go Of the wheel Despite these slings Despite these arrows I'll force myself to Despite these slings Despite these arrows I'll force myself to turn Turn"

[@beardsofkentucky]

Well, it's literally about NOT driving a car off a cliff. "I'll force myself to turn" is the last lyric. But, it's certainly about MORE than that, wouldn't you agree?

[@Outplayedqt]

@@beardsofkentuckyOn the whole, the track lyrically speaks of anti-suicide, personally.

[@carlpiaf4476]

Thom Yorke was born in the 60s. It's likely a metaphor for how his attitude to life is changing. He writes a lot about determinism and free-will. Too often his lyrics are interpreted as if they aren't metaphor.

[@jeffreymiddleton4063]

Heavy riff distortion trippy greenwood oil

[@beardsofkentucky]

😎

[@jeffreymiddleton4063]

@@beardsofkentucky trippy fuzz petal

[@davidgerard4369]

There is an overwhelming sense of self-cannibalism to the Wall of Eyes album, especially in comparison with ALFAA. While there is no overt attempt to copy any of the songs themselves, the atmospherics they create are clearly identical, and Thom Yorke's vocals provide no surprises here as on the previous record ("Television", "Panavision"). It's all gauzy sonic coagulation. And furthermore, if one more person uses the word "jazz" in relation to either this trio, or it's drummer, Tom Skinner they're going to get their arses kicked personally by me. The term/genre simply does not fit. This isn't Blackstar, the swan song release by David Bowie, where we can clearly hear the acid-jazz leanings of Donny McCaslin's quartet permeating Bowie's muse as a kindred collaborator. Frankly, as far as drummers go, Radiohead's Philip Selway is TEN TIMES THE JAZZ DRUMMER SKINNER WILL EVER BE, period. Just hear Selway's contributions to Amnesiac - now THAT'S the work of a jazz-informed drummer. Enough of this fanboy exaltation, please...it's embarrassing.

[@beardsofkentucky]

It's gonna be OK, friend.

[@davidgerard4369]

@@beardsofkentucky Thanks for consoling me. As someone who supports both groups in terms of praise and as a collector to my discography, I believe it's more than possible to be a fan of an artist's music without erecting a shrine to them, or dismissing any dissenting opinions of their output.

[@twochordcool]

Doesn't blow me away...maybe just not yet. The song I really want to hear a studio version of is Colours Fly. Having said that I'm fixing to see The Smile my fourth and fifth time this weekend!

[@beardsofkentucky]

LUCKY - 🎶 "You're on a role...." 🎶

[@twochordcool]

@@beardsofkentucky Check out their new song Teleharmonic if you haven't yet...it's gorgeous.

[@ewanmee8622]

Everything builds up to the superb finish, a nod to day in the life then power chords and Thom’s voice at his best.