bend

Learning to Bend
$12.98
I came across Ben Sollee accidentally when searching for music by Ben Lee. I almost searched again, but something drew me to the "Listen to All" and took a sample. Then I got the CD.

This is one of the most incredible records I've ever heard. Love Ben's voice, the variety of instruments which are used, the minimization of music, which I believe when pulled off, really shows the skill of the artist. Every song is unique, yet the album is a coherent story. Incredible.

It's friday, it's raining outside, 40 degrees, gray, and I'm sitting at a desk programming, waiting for 4pm so I can go home. I've listened to this CD 3 times, and in the middle of the 4th listening. I just can't get enough.

The Bends [COLLECTOR'S EDITION- 2 CDs]
$22.98
Radiohead
The Bends Collector's Edition Disc 2; 2009
Capitol Records

My Rating: 65/100

This is a pretty solid compilation. It collects most of the relevant non-LP tracks from THE BENDS, with a few notable exceptions, and clearly demonstrates just what a great band Radiohead were becoming. The first six tracks comprised the excellent, dark MY IRON LUNG EP released between PABLO HONEY and THE BENDS, and give a far clearer indication of where the band would head after THE BENDS than anything contained on that album. "Permanent Daylight" and "The Trickster" see the band shifting away from British mope-rock and incorporating post-punk and paranoia. "Maquiladora," released as a b-side after the album's release, is one of the best tracks the band has ever recorded, and "How Can You Be Sure" sounds like something that just missed the cut as well. My only major gripes are that the remixed versions of "Planet Telex" were not included, and, more significantly, the superior Nellee Hooper remix of "Talk Show Host" is no where to be found. Not that it REALLY matters, since you can still pick it up on the ROMEO & JULIET soundtrack, but I'm just sayin. As a last criticism, it would have been nice to really dig deep on this one and show forth some ancient demos or something. All in all, a decent compilation, and worth purchasing for Radiohead fans that haven't jumped headlong into their b-sides yet.

TRACKS:

1. The Trickster (5/5)
2. Punchdrunk Lovesick Singalong (5/5)
3. Lozenge of Love (5/5)
4. Lewis (Mistreated) (5/5)
5. Permanent Daylight (5/5)
6. You Never Wash Up After Yourself (4/5)
7. Maquiladora (5/5)
8. Killer Cars (4/5)
9. India Rubber (5/5)
10. How Can You Be Sure? (5/5)
11. Fake Plastic Trees [acoustic - live] (4/5)
12. Bulletproof [acoustic - live] (5/5)
13. Street Spirit [acoustic -live] (4/5)
14. Talk Show Host (5/5)
15. Bishop's Robes (3/5)
16. Banana Co (5/5)
17. Molasses (2/5)
18. Just [BBC Radio 1] (3/5)
19. Maquiladora [BBC Radio 1] (4/5)
20. Street Spriit [BBC Radio 1] (4/5)
21. Bones [BBC Radio 1] (4/5)

Strong Enough To Bend
$0.99

Around The Bend
$0.89
This is the song that is played on the new iPod Nano commercial. Be aware that there is a problem with this mp3 file. The full version is 3:39 minutes long. The Amazon version is 1:13 minutes and the song just cuts off. Amazon customer support gave me a refund and is working on correcting the problem. Catchy tune which is obviously why Apple picked for the commercial.