The Bends

Tracks:

Planet Telex
The Bends
High & Dry
Fake Plastic Trees
Bones
(Nice Dream)
Just (You Do It To Yourself)
My Iron Lung
Bullet Proof...I Wish I Was
Black Star
Sulk
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Amazon.com

While Radiohead saw its stock rising in 1994, it wasn't until 1995's The Bends that it really became a blue chip band. And for good reason. The quintet honed its talent for bombastic Brit Rock, yet still preserved an edge of unpredictability. Even singles like the title track didn't give in to the kind of swooning guitar clichés usually embraced by commercial radio. If the CD proved anything, it was that Radiohead could find solid ground between pop experimentation and the tradition of born-in-the-bone, balls-out rock. --Nick Heil

Amazon.com

Radiohead Photos

More from Radiohead

OK Computer
Amnesiac
Kid A

Pablo Honey
Hail To The Thief
I Might Be Wrong: Live Recordings

Customer Reviews:

Wow.......2007-07-13

After hearing Pablo Honey, one might think that Radiohead was a decent band, but would certainly not be expecting them to become one of the all-time great groups... in fact, Pablo Honey does little to prepare one for the masterpiece that is the Bends!Few groups have ever made such progress in such a short period of time; it's almost akin to the improvement made by Neil YOung between his first and second albums or by David Bowie between Space Odyssey and Man Who Sold the World. The Bends is fresh and modern but also full of classic elements. The songs are expertly crafted, inventive,experimental, yet also thrillingly listenable. The vocals are tortured, beautiful and powerful (York is modern rock's best singer... hands down!!!) and the guitar is out of this world! While Ok Computer is their best album, this is an extremely close second and is one of the only albums from the 90s that ranks with the greatest rock ablums ever made. If Pablo Honey didn't quite show off the groups limitless potential, The Bends does so in an unforgettable fashion.

One-hit wonders? Nah..........2007-06-29

Here's where Radiohead (easily the best contemporary rock band) proved to the smirking critics that they wouldn't fade out after Creep (and Pablo Honey) ran its course on the charts. In fact, they shoved it back into the music press' faces, and quickly became a favorite of theirs. This and OK Computer are the only two Radiohead albums most agree are great. I personally think that both OK and Kid A are better than The Bends, which is a bit of a mixed bag: A few forgettable songs (Bones; Black Star; (nice dream); Just apart from the guitar solo), and a single bad one (Sulk, my least favorite Radiohead song). And then a wealth of good ones.
Fake Plastic Trees is so good I will devote an entire paragraph just to it. Radiohead's greatest song ever. Yes, better than Paranoid Android. Not only that - It's on the fast track to becoming a rock classic. Some songs are cynical. Some are beautiful. This one's both. Sure, the plastic-representing-a-fake-person metaphor had been used before by Frank Zappa, but whereas he made sure you knew he was them on songs like Plastic People (subtlety was never Mr. Don't Eat the Yellow Snow's strong suit - guitar playing, on the other hand...), if I heard this on the radio without knowing its title or lyrics I probably would call it one of the most beautiful, moving, uplifting songs of all time (or at least I would've until I heard lyrics like, "My fake pla-haaaaastic love" - beautiful and moving, but the lyrics are depressing as all hell). And the anticorporate lyrics really are original. Plus it contains my single favorite moment of Radiohead's entire career: when the band enters and Thom sings, "She looks like the real thing... she tastes just like the real thing... my fake pla-HAAAAAAAAAstic love...". I don't think The Eagles (my favorite band to randomly insult for no reason whatsoever) or Green Day (my second favorite band to randomly insult for no reason whatsoever) could ever even DREAM of making a song like this. I mean, I have a feeling the beauty of this song is meant to be ironic, but still... whoa.
Now, the Bends is more than just Fake Plastic Trees and a bunch of other stuff. Much more. For one, there's the big hit High and Dry - another top pick of mine. Especially the chorus, and the acoustic guitar riff. The three-part title track is also on that list: it starts off as the heaviest I've ever heard Radiohead, moves to a quiet moody paranoid electric piano section, rocks out again, and then there's the drum-and-vocal break during the second half of the chorus. And the lyrics are actually kinda funny, though of course that's black humor we're talking about. My Iron Lung also demonstrates this - they whip out a metaphor, parody their breakthrough hit, use GREAT dynamic shifts, rock out, and unload a funny (again, black-humored!) lyric: "This is our new song/same as our old song". Very good.
So far this looks like it's Radiohead's rock album, and indeed this is probably their most traditional rock album (though I haven't heard Pablo Honey). Trust Radiohead to throw in some creepy, dark, atmospheric stuff too: Street Spirit (Fade Out) is really scary, but I also really like it in spite of its scariness; Planet Telex actually sounds like Pink Floyd (a favorite band of mine), and it's a good song: very melodic, cool watery keyboard riff. And Bullet Proof.. I Wish I Was is really melodic and haunting.
So that's it. I don't think this is as good as what would come after, but this is still an essential mid-'90s rock album. And there aren't really a lot of those.

Radiohead: THE BENDS.......2007-05-10

I am a long time fan so I may be a little bit biased when I say THE BENDS is a masterpiece. It is however. Many bands come and go, some just slowly fade away but Radiohead has managed to stick through a grunge era, making somewhat digestible music for the masses while retaining a creative, viable edge? They are one of the few bands around that I look forward to putting out a new CD. I'm not going to go into particulars, I'm a simple love it or hate it person and I don't like every song Radiohead puts out, just 99% of them. No band is perfect, but IMO these guys are as close as it gets. This album is on my must have list and a great one to start off with if you haven't followed this band. O.K. Computers is great as well but The Bends seems more accessable in my opinion.

The way I wisth they still were.........2007-04-04

This was a ROCK album before it was an alternative piece. I absolutly love the jangly guitars, the hard drum beats, and the many degrees of Thom Yorke's voice. Fake Plastic Trees is as good as social commentary gets, and Just, The Bends, and High N' Dry are instant rock classics. The videos they made in the period are also spectacular. The one for Fake Plastic Trees is cool, full of colorful imagery. The video for Just is my favorite video of all time. It simply is just cool as hell. Check them out if you can find them!

Have They ever recorded a bad song.......2007-04-03

Think about it. When have you ever heard a bad song from Radiohead? I am not an uber die hard Radiohead fan, but I've heard most of their music and I haven't EVER heard a bad song by this band. This is my favorite of the Radiohead CD's. JUST is their best tune IMHO.

Average customer rating:

10cc Decptive Bends.
A musical odyssey!
Too much to like about this to dismiss it for what it isn't.
The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
pure pop

Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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How Dare You!
Bloody Tourists
The Original Soundtrack
Sheet Music
10cc

ASIN: B000006U4K
Release Date: 1997-07-21

Tracks:

Good Morning Judge
The Things We Do For Love
Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
People In Love
Modern Man Blues
Honeymoon With B Troop
I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor
You've Got A Cold
Feel The Benefit (Parts 1, 2 & 3 )
Hot To Trot
Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste
I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out

Album Description

Digitally remastered 1997 reissue of their top 40 1977 albumwith three bonus tracks: 'Hot To Trot', 'Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste' & 'I'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'. 12 tracks total, also featuring the top five smash 'The Things We Do For Love', the top 40 hit 'People In Love' and the classic 'Good Morning Judge'. A Mercury Records release.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Including Three Extra Tracks. Tracklisting Includes: Good Morning Judge, the Things We Do for Love, Marriage Bureau Rendezvous, People in Love, Modern Man Blues, Honeymoon with B Troop, I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor, and More.

Customer Reviews:

10cc Decptive Bends........2007-06-13

Simply put, this is outstanding music. They don't make music like this anymore, what a shame.

A musical odyssey!.......2007-04-17

From the catchy beat of the novelty opening track "Good Morning, Judge" to the musical ride of the last title "Feel the Benefit", this is a solid album from top to bottom.

If you could only listen to one track(which would be a CRIME), make it the aforementioned "Feel the Benefit". It is truly an odyssey of wonderful orchestral musings with 10CC's signature guitar riffs amid flowing tempo changes. Just be forewarned that it is 10+ minutes long - but, for me, it was the best song I had never heard...

This has been one of my favorite albums for almost 30 years now, and it takes me back to high school very time!

Too much to like about this to dismiss it for what it isn't........2007-02-18

This is the classic "this ain't the same band" situation that is omnipresent in the music business, and that the fans embody. Whether it's a band fragmenting or a new singer, many long time loyalists will refuse to acknowledge the "watered down" version of their long time beloved band. In many cases they're right. But there are many examples of when it works. I know what I like, and I love "Deceptive Bends." My knowledge of 10cc before this CD was very limited, with only "I'm Not In Love" rolling off the top of my head. And after hearing, buying and indulging in "Bends," I dug deeper into the band's past to see if there was something I missed. Well, at least for my tastes at that time, I hadn't. Early 10cc is to that band, what early Genesis is to themselves. Many grew on both's early music. But both bands evolved, for better or worse depending on who you ask. But the fact is, both also evolved into a more refined sound that found a bigger audience. "Deceptive Bends" is full of examples of a band that hit it's heights in strong songs. The opening 1-2 punch of "Good Morning Judge" and "The Things We Do For Love" are great examples of the range of audience this band could reach- the strong opening guitar licks, infectuous chorus and rhythm, and animated content of "Judge", and the lead vocals and lush background harmonies of "Things" provide the broad range of sound to follow on the rest of the CD. They're followed by 3 effectively catchy songs that if not found on the more progressive radio stations of the time, they were certainly heard being played enthusisastically by those who were listening to more than just one 10cc song for the first times in their lives. That's quite a turnaround, regardless of what you think the band became after it splintered. And there was still more pop left on the CD. "Honeymoon With B Troop; You've Got a Cold," and "Feel The Benefit" offer some quality and variety, and all with enough traces of early 10cc to maintain (though not necessarily outright) the loyalty of some fo their earliest fans. "Honeymoon" has some great hooks and pace, and eclectic flavored "Benefit" is a multi-tempoed, outright jam, offering a closing guitar jam that stands out as one of the best of its time. Originally, this record had outstanding sound quality. The remastered CD is superb, offering a more enriiched, crystal clear appreciation for a CD that spans such a wide variety of musical genres with a purpose. Though I've listened to a lot of their music over time, I hadn't bought any 10cc before, or since this CD. This mid 70s CD holds up well today.

The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

Deceptive Bends was the beginning of the end for 10cc. The band had split into two bands: 10cc and Godley & Creme. "How Dare You" was the magnum opus, and in my view the best album that 10cc came out with, not to mention one of the best albums of a decade that was full of amazing albums.

But now the year was 1977 and Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart regrouped and came back with a beautiful pop album that showed a subtle change in the 10cc sound. The interesting thing is that for all the wonderfully quirky pop art that filled the first four albums that included Godley & Creme, the music was still alive with fresh ideas and inventive productions, just a bit less cerebral. Sure, this was no "Consequences", Godley & Creme's first album that was full of high art but lacking in accessibility; but Deceptive Bends has so many infectious melodies and grooves that it intensified what made this band so attractive in the first place... The pleasure of invention.

Every song on this album has become (more or less) a highlight for me, including the bonus tracks. But the first side of the album is definitely the stronger half. It is rare to have a perfect album- in my mind there are very few of those. But I've got to give Deceptive Bends five stars nonetheless, because take away few missteps and you have a pop masterpiece.

Bloody Tourists continued the success of inventive pop music that Deceptive Bends had brought- it was the weaker of the two but still was mostly great.

I think the music declined somewhat after that for 10cc. That's not to say Look Hear, Ten Out Of 10, or Windows In The Jungle aren't strong albums- they just don't have the allure that the albums up to Bloody Tourist have; Ten Out Of 10 probably being the strongest of the three.

One note: I though it was interesting how close the guitar solo on "The Things We Do For Love" sounds like the guitar solo from "Killer Queen" by Queen.

pure pop.......2005-07-22

I dusted off this gem while still recording old vinyl to digital recently and and realized how good this effort really is. Without Kevin Godley and Lol Creme the two remaining members ( Eric Stewert and Graham Chapman) turn out their carefully measured brand of pop and they hit paydirt with nearly every cut. "Good Morning Judge" builds clever, tougue-in-cheek lyrics/story around a tight guitar riff and transitions smoothly into the classic pop "the Things we do for Love". "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" is a melancholy ballad beautiful in its lyrics and melody (and is a bitch to spell). "People in Love" is more of the same for the duo...wistful lyrics and uncanny sense of melody. Side two offers up the epic "Feel the Benefit" one of the band's finest efforts ever. Overall the album has the feel of the duo crafting these songs and piecing them together with skill. The duo perform most of the instruments themselves and perform them well. These aren't three chord rockers , many are complicated pieces with intricate parts layered. Which brings up another score for the band here....production. This effort is sonically superior to most everything produced in the era of the mid-to-late 70s, it's a very clean, spry production. The only thing keeping the album from the cherished five-star rating is the weaker effort "Modern Man Blues" which doesn't seem to suit the band's pop stylings. Anyway, "Deceptive Bends" is easily one of 10cc's best efforts and a top 20 effort in my book from any band of the 1970s.

Average customer rating:

The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here

Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Universal
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

How Dare You!
The Original Soundtrack (+2 Bonus Tracks)
Bloody Tourists

ASIN: B00005R0VO
Release Date: 2007-06-25

Tracks:

Good Morning Judge
Things We Do for Love
Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
People in Love
Modern Man Blues
Honeymoon With B Troop
I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
You've Got a Cold
Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
Hot to Trot [*]
Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out [*]

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase. Also Include Three Additional Tracks Not on the Original Release: 'hot to Slot', 'don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste', and 'i'm So Laid Back, I'm Laid Out'

Customer Reviews:

The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here.......2005-07-24

As true 10cc fans know, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme left 10cc prior to 1977`s "Deceptive Bends", making this the first 10cc record to not feature the aforementioned duo, leaving Eric Stewart & Graham Gouldman as the only two remaining original members. Paul Burgess was brought in to handle drumming duties and would continue to work with the group on their next few albums. "Deceptive Bends" tends to be considered something of a last gasp for 10cc, i.e. the best album they made after Godley & Creme's departure. This is a cruel twist of fate indeed because it's actually quite the opposite--this is clearly the weakest 10cc studio album from the time of Godley & Creme's departure to 10cc's initial breakup in 1983/ 1984. If you pick this album up thinking it's the best 10cc had to offer after Godley & Creme's exit, it's quite possible you might not feel inclined to explore the band any further, which would be a terrible mistake. Each and every track on this album was written by Stewart & Gouldman, as were the three non-album b-sides added as bonus tracks to this CD version, & on the whole, they were considerably off their game. It seems quite possible that they were thrown for a loop with the departure of Godley & Creme, who contributed a lot of the songwriting on previous efforts, and ended up scrambling to come up with enough material for the album. On top of this, it seems like Stewart & Gouldman were trying desperately to maintain Godley & Creme's trademark 'wackiness', and the album ends up often sounding forced (a previous reviewer for the "Bloody Tourists" album made a comment along these lines that really hits the nail on the head). I'm a diehard 10cc fan, and I've listened to this thing again and again thinking maybe the genius has been evading me, but no. Now, I'm not saying this album doesn't have its moments, because it certainly does. In fact, the first two tracks get it off to a great start--"Good Morning Judge" is an infectious funk-rocker with a fun, searing, echoy slide guitar lick that crops up; & the McCartney-esque "The Things We Do For Love" is a catchy feel-good pop confection with masterful vocal harmonies--it`s perhaps telling that these two tracks had both largely, if not entirely, already been written prior to Godley & Creme leaving, & unfortunately, things quickly take a turn for the worse following these two songs. The mellow ballad "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" tries to be humorous & uplifting, and the effect is awkward and unsettling--it feels frustratingly forced, & suffers from the failed attempts at humor. "Modern Man Blues" has 10cc's trademark sudden musical shifts, but it still manages to feel underdeveloped, and it`s a highly annoying track with more failed humor & an overlong, overdone, repetitive fade. Another thing that hurts this album is presentation... They actually did a solid version of the funked-up "You've Got A Cold" on the 1977 live album "Live and Let Live", but the version here (with keyboards from Jean Roussel), though still pretty fun in a dumb way, is a bit overdone and overly slick, and it ends up sounding kind of lame. "Honeymoon With B Troop" is also better on "Live and Let Live"--the version here does get your attention with its catchiness & moodiness, but it overdoes the gimmicky, effect-laden background vocals to tedious effect. Stewart really wanted to make a 'Big Statement' on the 11+ minute album-closer "Feel the Benefit", but they badly missed the mark--it starts off with a guitar part that instantly recalls "Dear Prudence", & it rambles on aimlessly & incoherently, and it also features excessive orchestration, and an extended instrumental outro that annoyingly ends in `sudden death' fashion as if they knew they'd already rambled on for too long and didn't have a clue as to how to bring the track to a satisfying conclusion. On the positive side, "People In Love" is a nice, tuneful, dreamy ballad with an excellent lead vocal from Stewart, & the short "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor" with its extremely witty music terminology-laden lyrics is indeed very funny. For the sake of completeness, the three non-LP b-sides added to this CD version are a great bonus, but like the album itself, they've overall disappointing--the minor-keyed "I`m So Laid Back, I`m Laid Out" is a really cool, catchy tune, but it's marred by the overly-repetitive fade; the ascending chords portions of "Hot To Trot" are annoying, and the mellow ballad "Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste" is fluff. "Good Morning Judge", "The Things We Do For Love", & "People In Love" are all available on several different compilations including the 3 CD "Ultimate Collection" which is a great item to have for any 10cc fan. "Deceptive Bends" is not a disaster, but it's a disappointing album in the career of one of the all-time great bands. However, Stewart & Gouldman kept Burgess on board, as well as adding several other new members to the band, & ended up bouncing back in a big way on the following album, "Bloody Tourists".

Average customer rating:

Just a great CD
Listen to this brilliant album.
A great guitarist doth not a great album make
Emotional Bends - Robbie McIntosh
Robbie's first solo album is a nice surprise.

Emotional Bends
Robbie McIntosh
Manufacturer: Compass Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Unsung
Wide Screen
Icky Thump

ASIN: B00003IE21
Release Date: 2000-01-11

Tracks:

Scarecrow
Joe And Me
Hang Me On The Line
Emotional Bends
Roll Away
Cactus Juice
Homesteaders
Oh Judy
Good Punchline
Simple Thing
Cheque Book And Pen
Dadi

Customer Reviews:

Just a great CD.......2001-08-18

I was lucky enough to see Robbie McIntosh along with fellow McCartney band mate, Hamish Stuart do a couple of songs off of this CD at this years Beatlefest. The songs that they played were great. I purchased it based on the few songs I heard live. The CD was even better than I expected. This is not a good CD, it's a great CD. After many years of backing McCartney and the Pretenders, it is great to Robbie McIntosh in the spot light. There are not many CD's that you can put on and play from beginning to end, but this is one of them. But it, then sit back an enjoy.

Listen to this brilliant album........2000-04-08

Anyone who has heard Robbie's work with The Pretenders and Paul McCartney will already know he is one of the best guitarists in the business. Emotional Bends, his first solo album now proves his talent as a songwriter. A tasteful mix of country/blues and rock, this is the most impressive album I have heard for a long time. Robbie is accompanied by a superb band, including the great Mark Feltham on blues harp. The band have been playing sporadic gigs throughout the U.K. since the album's release. Catch them if you can. They will simply blow you away.

A great guitarist doth not a great album make.......2000-03-23

The guitar is good, the singing adequate, the lyrics very bad indeed. This sounds somewhat like Pete Townsend on his worst day ever (however, I'm not sure Pete ever had a day quite this bad).

Emotional Bends - Robbie McIntosh.......2000-03-14

I knew Robbie was a great guitarist playing licks with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney but he really shines playing his own stuff. The more I play this the more fantastic it sounds. (In fact I'm listening to it now!) The album is one of my very favorites. This is a keeper. Can't wait for his next offering, the day can't come fast enough. This guy is a true talent! Don't wait, buy this album. NOW!

Robbie's first solo album is a nice surprise........2000-01-31

Not bad at all. This is a complete departure from the work he's done with McCartney and The Pretenders. This McIntosh album draws heavily from blues, country and rock influences. Finally, we really get to see what this man can accomplish. I can now see where the country influence from some of McCartny's tracks from Off The Ground: The Complete Works comes from. Robbie's voice isn't as solid as one would hope, but the compositions are nice and the guitar is naturally excellent. Also, I love the cover!

Average customer rating:

River Bends
Denison Witmer
Manufacturer: Burnt Toast Vinyl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The '80s e.p.
Of Joy & Sorrow
Recovered
And Flows into the Sea
Philadelphia Songs

ASIN: B00006I0CD
Release Date: 2002-09-10

Tracks:

Healing Time
Los Angeles
St. Jude
Steven
You Got Me Good

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2004-06-09

I can not say anythign beyond buy this album PASSIONATE accoustic music with a hint of tom petty in voice and deliverance a style all his own please buy it if you like music

Average customer rating:

The Pleasure Of Pop Invention
overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here
Post split up, there's still life in 10cc.
If you buy only one 10cc album... buy this one!
Nothing DECEPTIVE about this one-a fine album

Deceptive Bends
10cc
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

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How Dare You!
Bloody Tourists

ASIN: B000001FPS
Release Date: 1990-02-06

Tracks:

Good Morning Judge
Things We Do for Love
Marriage Bureau Rendezvous
People in Love
Modern Man Blues
Honeymoon With B Troop
I Bought a Flat Guitar Tutor
You've Got a Cold
Feel the Benefit, Pt. 1-3
Hot to Trot [*]
Don't Squeeze Me Like Toothpaste [*]
I'm So Laid Back I'm Laid Out [*]

Customer Reviews:

The Pleasure Of Pop Invention.......2006-11-15

overrated--has its moments, but Stewart & Gouldman were quite a bit off their game here.......2005-07-24

First of all, I want to point out that if you intend to get a copy of "Deceptive Bends" on CD that contains the 3 non-LP b-sides from this era as bonus tracks, I'd be wary about ordering it from this particular page, because despite the track listing, this page appears to be for an older US release of "Deceptive Bends" that doesn't include the bonus tracks, although I think it does include song lyrics and a more faithful recreation of the layout of the original gatefold vinyl album.

As true 10cc fans know, Kevin Godley & Lol Creme left 10cc prior to 1977`s "Deceptive Bends", making this the first 10cc record to not feature the aforementioned duo, leaving Eric Stewart & Graham Gouldman as the only two remaining original members. Paul Burgess was brought in to handle drumming duties and would continue to work with the group on their next few albums. "Deceptive Bends" tends to be considered something of a last gasp for 10cc, i.e. the best album they made after Godley & Creme's departure. This is a cruel twist of fate indeed because it's actually quite the opposite--this is clearly the weakest 10cc studio album from the time of Godley & Creme's departure to 10cc's initial breakup in 1983/ 1984. If you pick this album up thinking it's the best 10cc had to offer after Godley & Creme's exit, it's quite possible you might not feel inclined to explore the band any further, which would be a terrible mistake. Each and every track on this album was written by Stewart & Gouldman, & on the whole, they were considerably off their game. It seems quite possible that they were thrown for a loop with the departure of Godley & Creme, who contributed a lot of the songwriting on previous efforts, and ended up scrambling to come up with enough material for the album. On top of this, it seems like Stewart & Gouldman were trying desperately to maintain Godley & Creme's trademark 'wackiness', and the album ends up often sounding forced (a previous reviewer for the "Bloody Tourists" album made a comment along these lines that really hits the nail on the head). I'm a diehard 10cc fan, and I've listened to this thing again and again thinking maybe the genius has been evading me, but no. Now, I'm not saying this album doesn't have its moments, because it certainly does. In fact, the first two tracks get it off to a great start--"Good Morning Judge" is an infectious funk-rocker with a fun, searing, echoy slide guitar lick that crops up; & the McCartney-esque "The Things We Do For Love" is a catchy feel-good pop confection with masterful vocal harmonies--it`s perhaps telling that these two tracks had both largely, if not entirely, already been written prior to Godley & Creme leaving, & unfortunately, things quickly take a turn for the worse following these two songs. The mellow ballad "Marriage Bureau Rendezvous" tries to be humorous & uplifting, and the effect is awkward and unsettling--it feels frustratingly forced, & suffers from the failed attempts at humor. "Modern Man Blues" has 10cc's trademark sudden musical shifts, but it still manages to feel underdeveloped, and it`s a highly annoying track with more failed humor & an overlong, overdone, repetitive fade. Another thing that hurts this album is presentation... They actually did a solid version of the funked-up "You've Got A Cold" on the 1977 live album "Live and Let Live", but the version here (with keyboards from Jean Roussel), though still pretty fun in a dumb way, is a bit overdone and overly slick, and it ends up sounding kind of lame. "Honeymoon With B Troop" is also better on "Live and Let Live"--the version here does get your attention with its catchiness & moodiness, but it overdoes the gimmicky, effect-laden background vocals to tedious effect. Stewart really wanted to make a 'Big Statement' on the 11+ minute album-closer "Feel the Benefit", but they badly missed the mark--it starts off with a guitar part that instantly recalls "Dear Prudence", & it rambles on aimlessly & incoherently, and it also features excessive orchestration, and an extended instrumental outro that annoyingly ends in `sudden death' fashion as if they knew they'd already rambled on for too long and didn't have a clue as to how to bring the track to a satisfying conclusion. On the positive side, "People In Love" is a nice, tuneful, dreamy ballad with an excellent lead vocal from Stewart, & the short "I Bought A Flat Guitar Tutor" with its extremely witty music terminology-laden lyrics is indeed very funny. "Deceptive Bends" is not a disaster, but it's a disappointing album in the career of one of the all-time great bands. However, Stewart & Gouldman kept Burgess on board, as well as adding several other new members to the band, & ended up bouncing back in a big way on the following album, "Bloody Tourists".

Post split up, there's still life in 10cc........2003-02-27

Oh no - 10cc have split up - what are we to do! I'll tell you exactly what...hit that shopping basket button and put a wide smile on your face! With the release of 'Deceptive Bends' Stewart and Gouldman reaffirmed their status as master song writers. You won't find any of the saccharin overtones of the pop orientated early 10cc here. This is the band at their very best - refined and polished until the album shines from start to finish. Prior to attempting this review, I took an objective view at the track listing...not a lemon amongst them! 'The things we do for love' alone justifies buying this album. It's no good, I'll have to stop and give the old faithful plastic copy a listen - see you in paradise!

If you buy only one 10cc album... buy this one!.......1999-10-13

Okay, if you're a fan of the zany aspect of 10cc, maybe this album isn't for you. Sure, the humor is present, but not as much as in other works.

On the other hand, if you appreciate 10cc for being a group of talented musicians capable of producing mesmerizing songs... you'll love this.

In addition to their biggest hit, "The Things We Do For Love," this album boasts the wistful ballad, "People in Love," the classic "Good Morning Judge," and "Feel the Benefit," a true masterpiece of songwriting with lyrics that will bring tears to your eyes. (Okay, not the reggae bit in the middle... but the end bit.)

I rank this album as being one of my absolute favorites (and that's out of a personal collection in excess of 1000).

Nothing DECEPTIVE about this one-a fine album.......1998-08-07

Clearly the loss of Godley & Creme was a tremendous blow to 10cc. Stewar and Gouldman continued on and pushed the 10cc sound in a new direction. More overtly poppy than its predecessor(HOW DARE YOU!), this album actually seems, at first, to be more conventional than previous 10cc albums.

After repeated listenings, though, it is clear that Stewart and Gouldman were attempting another concept album--one looking at the "deceptive bends" of relationships and the things that drive us to act the way we do. "The things we do for love" is a witty review of what humanity puts itself through for companionship.

At times, the production appears too sweet(making one initially pine for more of the Zappa like odd time changes), but again, consider the theme of the album. It fits it quite well with the general concept.

Although not as groundbreaking as HOW DARE YOU!, DECEPTIVE BENDS, in its own way, is the band's most melodic and accomplished recording. ! Well worth owning!

And Flows into the Sea
Average customer rating:

An exciting extra effort by Denison Witmer

Best cd that you haven't heard...

Not a typical Tooth and Nail release!

And Flows into the Sea
The River Bends
Manufacturer: Tooth & Nail Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
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River Bends

ASIN: B00020HDDK
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Tracks:

Looking For You
Lawyers And White Paper
Are You Lonely?
Chestnut Street
All The Days And Nights
22
I Love You April
Days Repeating
It Takes Time
Better Or Worse
You Could Be Anything

Customer Reviews:

An exciting extra effort by Denison Witmer.......2006-11-29

Since Denison Witmer is my favorite musician currently, I needed to check out this CD, and I was well satisfied. Definitely more of a beat in many of these songs than is normally found in Denison's solo work. There is a feeling of tension between the artistic styles of the trio working together on this cd, but for the most part that tension seems exploited rather than ignored.

In the "Chestnut Street" track, the entire first verse is mixed in stereo sound so the right speaker just plays Denison's awesome voice, and the instruments come through on the left speaker. Very cool.

"I Love You April" and "Lawyers and White Paper" both have a simple Casio keyboard sound, which is very unlike Denison's solo work, and gives this cd more of an underground music feel.

My main criticism of this cd is that some of the songs don't seem to know when to end (i.e. Days Repeating and You Could Be Anything)...If they were a bit shorter I think they would be much stronger.

Recommended.

Best cd that you haven't heard..........2004-11-04

I'll start off first by saying before this album, I have never heard a Denison Witmer song. I first heard the song "Are You Lonely?" on Purevolume.com and it was instantly a favorite of mine. I was utterly shocked that a musician like this was coming out of the Tooth and Nail family, a very prominate punk/emo label. I don't believe that Witmer is a christian, but I am very pleased with his cd.

With all that said now, everything about this cd is great. It's not too long nor to short. It has a very unique sound in today's music scene. It's also the darn hardest cd to find. I ended up ordering a copy on toothandnail.com because it's so hard to find, I've only ever seen it in a store once. Notably the best song that stands out is "Are You Lonely?", but the rest of the songs are amazing as well. The ending song, "You Could Be Anything" is a very good song as well. The songs in between are very good, very well written, and very well recording and produced. By this album, but don't be in shock that it isn't emo/screamo/punk.

Not a typical Tooth and Nail release!.......2004-06-13

I will start this review with this: This album is excellent. It got five stars because it deserved five stars. Now, let me tell you why. I must admit that I am not familiar with Denison Witmer's previous work, but after hearing this album, I am not only interested in hearing them, but possibly purchasing them cold turkey just because this album is that good. One part folk, one part pop, and one part indy, Denison and his very talented musician friends have put out an album that spans a wide variety of musical tastes, and yet seems very focused. His lyrics are intelligent and the music, though having heavy emphasis on the use of the acoustic guitar and other rootsy instruments, is layered and intricate. Every song on this album speaks to me in a different way, and I think this is a truly moving an insightful piece of art that is capable of inspiring the un-inspirable, relaxing the un-relaxable, and moving the apathetic.

On another note, I have to admit I was shocked when I learned this album was released on tooth and nail. I love tooth and nail, but the river bends is so....different from any other tooth and nail band. All I can say to tooth and nail is this: Thank you for this refreshing listen. It's nice to know that a label known for such staples as Anberlin and Mae will also embrace a folk driven group and help to produce one of the best albums of 2004 or any time up to this point.

Tracks:

Bends Like A Willow (Edit)
Dot Com (Edit)
It All Trickles Down

Album Description

The first single from the legendary rock group's 1999 outing 'J - Tull Dot Com'. Strictly limited edition release of 5,000 numbered copies. Contains edit versions of two cuts from the record, 'Bends Like A Willow' & 'Dot Com', plus the previously unreleased non-album track 'It All Trickles Down'. Slipcase sleeve. 1999 release.

Album Details

Limited Edition Only 5000 Numbered Editions. Includes Two Versions of the Title Track plus Exclusive Track 'it all Trickles Down'.

Customer Reviews:

If you liked J-Tull Dot Com..........2001-02-07

I actually liked this album a lot. I am a pretty big Jethro Tull fan, so it figures that I would enjoy any new material, but the new song "It All Trickles Down" was, if a departure from the "normal" Tull sound (if there ever was one), a very nice match with the other two tracks. The whole album is a very nice combination - "Bends like a Willow" and "Dot Com" were my two favorites from J-Tull Dot Com, and "Trickles" fits nicely. A definite five stars for a wonderful, well-connected Tull feel.

One Unreleased Track, Two Radio Edits... is it worth it?.......2000-06-20

HERES THE BOTTOM LINE

COLLECTORS - 5 STARS

AVERAGE FAN - 3 STARS

Oddly enough this single was released in Europe only by Tull's newly formed Papallion Records. This limited edition is best said a collectors item. If you are set on owning the unreleased track "It All Trickles Down", or if you want part of a limited edition that may be worth some money years away, then get it... it is priced reasonably. The one new song, though, is probably not worth the money to a non-Tull fanatic.

My rating is a split between the extremes. Based on the value as a single, for somone who may not have wanted to buy the full CD, this may be a good buy. The two radio edits "Dot Com", and "Bends like a Willow" are good tracks, but not what I expected for their single. "It All Trickles Down" is an odd one... not Mango Flush odd, but not like anything else on the CD! If oddball Tull tracks intrigue you, you may want to give this a spin.

Bends
Average customer rating:
Bends
Renzo Ruggieri
Manufacturer: Wide Sound
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000P6R7AU
Release Date: 2007-06-25

Forks, Bends & Spoons
Average customer rating:

M/O Review

Utterly Amazing.

An M/O Fan

These guys can do it all. And they do.

At Last

Forks, Bends & Spoons
Miracle Orchestra
Manufacturer: Grapeshot Records/Live Archive
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004Z3R8
Release Date: 2000-10-24

Tracks:

Bad Hair Cut
Canvas
Yes Alone
Tides
Great Oscillate
Black Rock
Half Asleep
This Time
Eurohaus Destroyer
Moon Swing
Still Half Asleep

Customer Reviews:

M/O Review.......2002-11-14

This is a terrific CD, well worth the buy, it is a great mix of jazz and rock, I can't wait for another great CD from them. This CD makes people smile and say, what group is this!! Great for parties, wish we had a good jazz band like this in Houston!!

Utterly Amazing........2000-11-18

Sometimes radio gets me down, with the depressing state of pop music and all... but then, every once in a while, you hear something that comes out of nowhere and just blows you away. My brother brought me to a Miracle Orchestra show last year. I had never heard of them and didn't quite know what to expect. I was floored - this was the type of raw energy that I thought had died in the Seventies - Hendrix, Miles Davis, Little Feat, Allmans, Steely Dan, Herbie Hancock (you get the picture). The show was incredible - huge crowd - reminded me of an early Phish show (but that's another story).

The band members are individually masterful, but play as a solid unit. The music is complex, but still swings & grooves. Very modern sound - very original with subtle hints of the past. It's all about ENERGY. The show was great and I haven't had a chance to see them since. I bought this record last week, and can't get enough of it. Forks, Bends & Spoons is a beautifully constructed album. It moves in so many directions that by time the disc is over, you feel as if you have been on a journey. Many good tunes for a party tape. It lives in my disc changer at home and I am tempted to buy another copy to keep in my car. Music like this restores my faith in music.

This is easily one of my favorite new discs of the year.

An M/O Fan.......2000-11-16

Of all the M/O Cd's this one is by far the best. I played this CD at a bar that I worked at and many of the customers asked who they were. They said, "This band has a truely original sound." Having seen M/O live multiple times I couldnt agree more. They due seem to take bits and pieces from many genres, but their sound as a whole is all their own. Forks, Bends..... Is a great sampling of many of ways M/O can play. I loved this CD. Try to see them live though it is a good time

These guys can do it all. And they do........2000-10-31

The only reason that this album doesn't get 5 stars is that I've seen them live and I know that they can tear it up 10 times as hard. But that is more due to the limits of an album format than to their actual playing. Bad Haircut starts off the album setting a funked out dance tone; although it does not climax in the way that it does live. Canvas shows Geoff's tremendous compositional ability. Tracks like Great Oscillate, This Time, and Eurohaus Destroyer illustrate why Garret Sayers is one of the best Bassists out there. Geoff's vocals and guitar playing are subtle and emotional throughout the disc. Bill and Garret provide a tremendous rhytmic force, these guys create beats and rhythms like you've never heard. Watch out. And Jared, the main soloing force on the album, is absolutely wonderful with powerful and sweet solos alike. Although he doesn't have the freedom to go off like he can at a show. Songs like Eurohaus Destroyer will blow you away with their power and diversity. If you like Jazz buy this album. If you like Funk buy this album. If you like getting down buy this album. To put it simply, buy this album. And if you don't believe me, check them out live. Then I know that you will buy this album!

At Last.......2000-10-28

I've been seeing these guys live for the past couple of years, and anxiously awaiting their CD. It's great to see that a band that puts on such incredible live shows can recreate the magic in the studio. Two big thumbs up.

Music: