Radiohead: The Bends LP

Known for their explorative and restless sound, taking influence from old style rock like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Pink Floyd as well as from electronica and hip hop, each of Radiohead's albums marks a cornerstone in their musical evolution. While Radiohead surely saw its stock rising after their 1993 debut Pablo Honey, it wasn't until their artisic breakthrough, The Bends that the band really began to be fully realized for their soaring aspirations. Displaying a far more expansive approach than its predecessor, The Bends marries such ambitious and often challenging, instrumental soundscapes to songs that are at their cores hauntingly melodic and accessible. It's one of the most essential albums of the '90s and a spectacular indicator of further greatness to come.