Search - Radiohead :: Fake Plastic Trees - Part 1

An essential element of any Radiohead single collection.

Adam | 10/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Radiohead's "Fake Plastic Trees" is one of the most moving songs ever committed to tape--and certainly one of the best rock "ballads" of the past twenty years. Legend has it that, after recording his vocal for the song in the studio, lead singer Thom Yorke broke down in tears. Hopefully, you've heard this song before and have borne witness to its ability to squeeze and wring emotions out of you like a wet washcloth...but if you haven't, buy this single IMMEDIATELY without reading any further. For those of you who are already privy to the masterpiece of this song and are looking to enhance your Radiohead single collections, however, please read on.So you get THREE B-sides here; the only drawback is that they're only acoustic versions of previously released, Bends-era songs. But the good thing is that they're all GREAT versions! If I'm not mistaken, only Jonny and Thom appear on these songs. The acoustic version of "Fake Plastic Trees" helps you to appreciate what a daunting task it must be to be a member of Radiohead--a job in which you are forced to try to make Thom's songs sound BETTER than they do when they're played only by him on an acoustic guitar. The emotive dynamics on this version of the title cut are even more pronounced than they are in the full band version, and Thom's voice shines. "Bulletproof (I Wish I Was...)" is also presented in its stripped-down form, but still bears the ambient guitar ramblings that made the studio version so unique. The song is, on the whole, ridiculously underrated, and is one of Thom's favorite compositions. His angelic falsetto during the verse is raw beauty. But perhaps the best of these three acoustic numbers is "Street Spirit". Retaining the quickened pace that was often slowed down in later live performances, it does for the single what the studio track did for the album The Bends: it makes a great record a timeless gem. Once again, Thom's voice is the highlight of the track, floating seamlessly from anguish into requiem. His humming during the bridge sections is particularly enchanting. When he finally sings the song's last haunting line, "Immerse your soul in love," and strikes the final chord on his acoustic, you can only be left with a sense of quiet satisfaction--as though someone has whispered a calming secret to you and left you with a smile. And that's what's great about Thom Yorke's music. And it's what's great about this single, which does a better job than anything else in Radiohead's catalog at showing a good band growing and burgeoning into a legend, their genius frontman leading the way.This is certainly an ESSENTIAL addition not only to any fan's single collection, but to ANY music-lover's library. The title track's masterful fusion of quiet lullabye and bombastic catharsis, coupled with the brtual honesty and endearing beauty of the three acoustic numbers, makes this record a purchase whose novelty will never wear thin. You won't be disappointed with this one, ladies and gentlemen. Buy now."

The Ultimate Radiohead Single.

Cheenang | Malaysia | 07/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"words cannot describe this single. unlike many singles with contain ..remixes, radiohead is one band that puts in unreleased or live tracks as b-sides and i will always love them for that. the bends is one of my top 10 albums of all time. and that says a lot for this single. i think the acoustic version of fake plastic trees is also available on clueless soundtrack. but the one song that is worth the price of the single is the acoustic version of street spirits. totally spellbinding. i get chills by listening to that song. it can get scary at times but that version is one of the most engaging live performance ever by anybody. this is one great live performance of a great song from a band with great songs! get this single at all cost."

Simply Amazing

Dan Julius | St. Louis, MO | 04/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellent CD Single that starts out with an amazing album version of an amazing song, and then launches into three brilliant acoustic versions of Bends-era songs recorded live at Eve's Club in London. First of all, the CD starts out with the Album Version of Fake Plastic Trees. This is one of Radiohead's best songs, and that's saying a lot, as their body of work is completely stunning. Next on the CD is an acoustic version of Fake Plastic Trees, and it's as good, if not better than the original. Then comes one of the most underrated, and yet still massively appealing songs of the Bends album: Bulletproof... I Wish I Was. On this CD single, it is an acoustic version, and it gives me chills. The CD then closes with a song that leaves me shaking and stunned: an acoustic version of Street Spirit (Fade Out). If you don't already have this CD Single, and you are perhaps teetering on the fence wondering whether or not you should buy it, I highly urge you to get out to Best Buy right now and buy it, because you can find it for a dollar cheaper there than you can here."