Radiohead postponed recording to 24 February, and used the extra time to practice their songs Yorke said: 'We had all of these songs and we really liked them, but we knew them almost too well. However, fellow Oxford band asked Leckie to perform some last-minute work on their forthcoming album. They also created more restrained arrangements in O'Brien's words, 'We were very aware of something on The Bends that we weren’t aware of on Pablo Honey If it sounded really great with Thom playing acoustic with drummer and bassist, what was the point in trying to add something more?' Recording Recording was due to begin at London's in January with Leckie. Much of 'Just' was written by Greenwood, who, according to Yorke, 'was trying to get as many chords as he could into a song'.On Pablo Honey, all three guitarists had tended to play identical parts, creating a 'dense, fuzzy wall'.įor The Bends, their roles were more divided Yorke generally played rhythm, Greenwood lead, and O'Brien effects. 'Nice Dream' began as a simple four-chord song by Yorke, but was expanded with extra parts by guitarists and, such as the introduction. Yorke would rise early and work on songs alone at the piano according to producer, 'New songs were pouring out of him.' Whereas Yorke had written most of their early songs, The Bends saw greater writing collaboration. Godrich has produced all of Radiohead's subsequent studio albums.In early 1994, Radiohead moved into, London, to develop the demos. Worked as an engineer on The Bends, and produced one track, 'Black Star'. One song, 'High and Dry', preceded the album recording, having been recorded in 1993 at Courtyard Studios by the band’s live sound engineer Jim Warren. The 1994, featuring the single of the same title, was Radiohead's reaction, marking a transition towards the greater depth they aimed for on their second album. However, confronted again by their popularity, Yorke became disenchanted at being 'right at the sharp end of the sexy, sassy, MTV eye-candy lifestyle' he felt he was helping to sell to the world. Almost like being held in a time warp.' Tensions were high, as the band felt smothered by the success of 'Creep' and the mounting expectations for a superior follow-up.The band sought a change of scenery, touring and the in an attempt to reduce the pressure. The band described the tour as a miserable experience, as towards its end they were 'still playing the same songs that they had recorded two years previously. Radiohead nearly broke up due to the pressure of sudden success as the tour extended into its second year. The sound of Pablo Honey had led critics to dismiss Radiohead as '-lite', and neither the album nor the singles ' and ' matched the chart success of 'Creep'. According to Kolderie, 'I was a little shocked when suddenly he pops out a batch of songs that are all better than anything on Pablo Honey.'īy the time Radiohead began their first US tour in early 1993, their debut single was in heavy rotation on and had achieved top-ten chart positions in the UK and the US when reissued in 1993. Contents.Background After Radiohead had finished recording their debut album (1993), songwriter played co-producer a demo of new material titled The Benz. It was voted number 2 in 's 3rd Edition (2000). The Bends received greater acclaim than Pablo Honey, and frequently appears on best-of lists. It achieved certifications in the UK and and platinum in the United States. However, it failed to build on the success of their single ' outside the United Kingdom, and peaked on the United States charts at number 88. It produced five charting: ' (released as an EP in 1994), ', ', ', and Radiohead's first top-five UK single, '.The Bends reached number four on the. It was the first Radiohead album with cover art by, who, with singer, has produced all of Radiohead's artwork since.With The Bends, Radiohead moved away from the -influenced style of their debut album (1993), incorporating cryptic lyrics, greater use of, and more abrasive tracks. It was produced by, and engineered by, who has produced all of Radiohead's subsequent studio albums. 'Released: 22 January 1996The Bends is the second studio album by the English band, released on 13 March 1995 by in the United Kingdom and in the United States.