Kid A or the Bends?

[Emilym80]

Hello TB,
I'm expanding my library of Radiohead albums. As of now I have OK Computer, Pablo Honey and In Rainbows. As I'd only like to get one when I go to the cd shop next week, which would you recommend- Kid A or the Bends and why? Thanks

[DONZI97]

If you like OK Computer more than Pablo Honey, get Kid A, or if you like Pablo Honey, get the Bends. Though I do like the Bends, Kid A is their defining moment IMO. I read a good analogy in my local paper about it, "OK Computer was their compass, Kid A was their destination."

[TheDialog]

Kid A, all day long. Squelches The Bends' on so many levels.

[handofseven]

Originally Posted by DONZI97

If you like OK Computer more than Pablo Honey, get Kid A, or if you like Pablo Honey, get the Bends. Though I do like the Bends, Kid A is their defining moment IMO. I read a good analogy in my local paper about it, "OK Computer was their compass, Kid A was their destination."

Agree.

The Bends is a fantastic album. Kid A is brilliant, but it's worlds away from what you will be expecting if you are a big fan of their "older" sound/style. It took a lot of listening before it grew on me, having been a fan since Pablo Honey. I still consider OK Computer to be their magnum opus.

[DONZI97]

Don't forget Hail to The Thief either, which I think is underrated.

[rushmaniac15]

The Bends is an unbelievable album and it has such vibe. Don't get me wrong Kid A is a progressive and interesting album but I still love the Bends a bit more.

[ubermiguel]

The Bends is when Radiohead perfected their songwriting. I honestly think their song craft had diminished each album since. Their cool post-rock mastery of sound has improved though, but the songs just aren't there anymore. I'm expecting backlash for this opinion. So if you dig songs go with The Bends, if you dig the post-rock soundscapes go with Kid A.

[Emilym80]

Hmm... I think I'll go with The Bends. I really like OK Computer but I've heard a couple of songs from Kid A and I don't really like their progression away from their original alt-rock sound, which sounds like exactly what The Bends is. I may well still end up getting Kid A, I'll see how I go. Thanks everyone

[jbass116]

Also check out Amnesiac, by far my favorite. Listen to Kid A, then listen to Amnesiac, many consider them to be a pair, with Amnesiac being, "Kid A 2"

[Jonathan1990]

Originally Posted by jbass116

Also check out Amnesiac, by far my favorite. Listen to Kid A, then listen to Amnesiac, many consider them to be a pair, with Amnesiac being, "Kid A 2"

This!

[BullFrogJR]

Originally Posted by ubermiguel

The Bends is when Radiohead perfected their songwriting. I honestly think their song craft had diminished each album since. Their cool post-rock mastery of sound has improved though, but the songs just aren't there anymore. I'm expecting backlash for this opinion. So if you dig songs go with The Bends, if you dig the post-rock soundscapes go with Kid A.

+ 1.

Though I'll add that I think the song craft came back very strong on In Rainbows.

[Greyfin10]

Originally Posted by handofseven

Agree.

The Bends is a fantastic album. Kid A is brilliant, but it's worlds away from what you will be expecting if you are a big fan of their "older" sound/style. It took a lot of listening before it grew on me, having been a fan since Pablo Honey. I still consider OK Computer to be their magnum opus.

This is exactly how I feel about it, but I was thinking about this and how every band I've loved has has this sort of curve to it... of how who they were corresponded to how I perceived them. The closer the correspondance, the more I prefer the album.

Radiohead - OK Computer
Rush - Signals
The Church - Hologram of Baal
The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (Smiley Smile probably, if it had made it out of the birth canal on time)
King's X - Faith Hope Love
Dream Theatre - Images and Words (and I have almost all of them :/)
King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair

Ok, that's about 6 examples too many, but I got carried away. The point is, as I thought about it, I realized how arbitrary preference is. The people who know the most about the music being made (imho) kept on going, making other, different albums, and I didn't necessary follow them all the way along.

Ironically, I'm quite sure a lot of personal preference has to do with what was going on in your life at the time you first heard the music (or at least, most intensely heard it). None of this applies to the neophyte asking "Which one will I like best?"

[kevmc28]

Ususally, the first album you love by a band becomes your favorite.. That was OK Computer for me. I'd say, get Kid A and listen to it on headphones. It will blow your mind.

The Bends is a better album for car listening or if there are people around and talking, etc.

[Curmei]

My first Radiohead album was Pablo Honey... on cassette

For me, The Bends holds a bit more nostalgia and I would recommend grabbing that one first. But, you can't go wrong with any of their music. I was lucky to catch them in Atlanta earlier this year. I also saw them on the Kid A tour. The music evolves, but it's still 100% Radiohead. Depending on your expectations, some stuff may take a few listens before you connect, but I enjoy just about everything they've done and they are one of the few bands that I buy albums from the day of the release, and don't worry about previewing the tracks before buying.

[Emilym80]

Well, I had made up my mind... But now I'm not so sure! You guys aren't making this any easier, haha

[Willie Dizon]

THE BENDS!!!!

[Airskank]

Kid A is one of the best albums of all time.

[Demon_Hunter]

The Bends!!!!

I love Radiohead but I got lost after OK computer....I just didn't "get it" with Kid A and beyond.

[Emilym80]

Ok, I'm going with The Bends. Thanks, everyone. I'll still probably end up buying their full discography anyway, they all (or at least the ones I've heard) are fantastic albums.

[BenBL]

Amnesiac. Just kidding in my opinion the Bends is overall a better album. I enjoy the first few songs of Kid A but the whole of the bends is much better overall.