Extreme - Waiting for the Punchline

Extreme had a nasty stigma attached to them of lame ballad boys, sure 'More Than Words' was a global worldwide smash that became a housewives favourite but there was always so much more to the four piece band from Boston. Just for the record that is the first and last time that I will mention that track in this review done to the simple fact that it bears no relation to this album at all. Extreme's s/t debut release was an okay slice of Van Halen inspired party rock that got most exposure through the first Bill and Ted movie - remember Beethoven playing the keyboards in shopping mall? Well that was Nuno Bettencourt shredding on the track 'Play With Me'. Their second album 'Pornograffitti' was a more mature effort that contained some of the best riffs and guitar work of 1990 and unfortunately was spoilt by one song [no prizes for guessing], their 3rd album 'III Sides To Every Story' was a overblown pompous affair that while home to some good tracks didn't really help the band.

So its now 1995 and Extreme have just released their fourth and what turned out to be their final album. This is the biggest shame of all as this is the bands best by a long way. OK so a lot of the party attitude has disappeared for what could be argued as a more mature approach, whatever it is I sure like it. Gone too are the big choruses and overtly silly lyrics to be replaced by supreme musicianship and killer songs that just sound so alive and more real. This is a band thoroughly pissed off by their bad press and they intend to go for the jugular with a vengeance for death.

The reason this album is the bands best in my view is down to the fact that while all the basic Extreme trademarks are there, they sound more convincing and uncontrived than ever before. Gary Cherone's vocals are great and Nuno is just smoking throughout the whole album. In place of the 80's sound comes a more natural 70's rock progression, more in the guitar timbres than anything else, as well as this is the rhythm section finally shows the potential that it had, this is one rhythmic disc.

THERE IS NO GOD (6.08)
The opening track tells you that is a different Extreme. A shimmering guitar line builds into a deep groove that evokes images of Led Zeppelin in their prime before a lurching rhythm allows Gary to do his stuff 'So you're a self proclaimed messiah or maybe a blasphemous liar, a clever hypnotic hoax'. The lyrics are about people throwing all their trust and belief in a God in an attempt to feel safe and secure. This track is a pure riff fest that is also home to one great drum sounds from new kid Mike Mangini [Annihilator, Steve Vai]. Nuno throws in all kinds of guitar magic that is perfectly suited and is amongst the best stuff he has committed to tape, a great opener.

CYNICAL (4.42)
Another monster groove kicks in with impressive sonic assault, if riffs could kill etc... The groove is one of those funk metal things that Extreme always did only it sounds more believable than ever before. The lyrics criticize people who always talk about the old days and how great they were, basically deriding people who can't accept change [music journo's maybe?], whatever they are about Gary is spitting out the lyrics in a fashion that would scare Henry Rollins!! The mid section is absolute divine bliss with Nuno going all out spastic and this band is cooking. The solo sees Nuno getting some pretty nasty sounds out his wah pedal and you cannot fail to notice that this is one pissed off band - still I love it immensely - marvellous.

TELL ME SOMETHING I DON'T KNOW (6.25)
This is another dark track that again gives of a Zeppelin vibe [think 'The Rover']. Their some good breakdowns and various general motifs that really gel well with each other. Cherone throws in some great Robert Plant-isms that only add to the retro feel of the track. The solo is another corker, more restraint and rhythmic and it sees Nuno doing some cool dueling with his delay pedal. This is more like a sonic landscape than an actual track in the fact that it is more abstract than following set musical practices, but yet again it works very well.

HIP TODAY (4.42)
The first single off the album and this is more like the Extreme of old only with that updated feel. Its home again to great riffs and lyrics 'Dancing in your head, visions of rave reviews hip today hip today'. The lyrics slam those corporate plastic bands that record companies seem to love pumping money into while the real deal don't get a fair crack, it is also a reference to the press who labeled the band one hot wonders after you know what. The breakdown for the solo is similar to that on 'Get The Funk Out' before Nuno launches another cool solo, this time incorporating some great syncopation patterns with the drums. The refrain of 'You'll be gone tomorrow' does get a little annoying after a while but luckily the track ends before you really start to detest it.

NAKED (5.47)
A bluesy track that builds as the track progresses, again the rhythm section is great with the drums just smacking you in the face. Nuno is quite restraint on the verses but just blows on the solos, its one of the weaker tracks on offer but is still quite pleasant.

MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (3.59)
An acoustic instrumental that was Nuno's live solo piece on the few tours preceding this release. The overall feel is one similar to Jimmy Page's guitar work on the 'Page/Plant- No Quarter' album and its a beautiful piece that shows off Nuno's fretboard prowess to the full.

LEAVE ME ALONE (4.48)
A bizarre guitar sound opens the track with Gary sounding quite dreamy before the band kicks in for a riff that is again quite basic but effective. The lyrics tell the tale of a character who is experiencing a breakdown and just wishes for solitude 'Came in from the outside, safe in my nest, home sweet home, no invited guests, I want to be alone'. The solo is quite a haunting affair with strange sounds effects and adds greatly to the eerie quality of the track.

NO RESPECT (3.52)
The pace picks up again for this aggressive rocker which again proves that the band are extremely pissed off with something. Its the rhythm team of Pat Badger (bass) and Mike Mangini that really drive this track along and they do it with some style. The chorus is a simple refrain of 'No Respect - none' and it says all you need to now, Nuno throws in another trademark solo that just rips and again suits the track nicely. While quite a basic track it is one of the best here and if you are felling a little annoyed with anything stick this on and it should soothe your troubles.

EVILANGELIST (4.49)
Another heavy track that could of come from the first 6 tracks off 'III Sides To Every Story', the dry production adds hugely to this feel but it is better than anything off 'III Sides'. The lyrics are more like some of the stuff off earlier albums 'Little lamb come out of the rain, you'll catch your death in the cold, a helping hand to come ease the pain, in peace you'll rest in our fold'. The riff is classic Extreme but the chorus takes a darker turn again that brings it beyond the expected noises. The bridge is back to the old Extreme but it again is better than most of the older stuff. A great track that just slams.

10. SHADOW BOXING (4.34)
A track in the traditional Extreme laidback vein, funky, bluesy but benefiting richly from the bands new found confidence and verve. The sparse production seems to make the track sound more convincing so don't let the naff title put you off, although the chorus does get a bit too Beatles-ish for my liking. Again the star of the show is Nuno and I'm pleased to say that his new found cleaner sound does wonders for his tone and overall placement in the mix. The track also gave me visions of the overlooked debut album by Cry Of Love titled Brother.

11. UNCONDITIONALLY (5.01)
One more laidback part acoustic / electric number that again has very strong Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin influences. The chorus is damn sweet with Gary's voice sounding so fragile before Nuno pips in for some great harmony work. A good mature track that is probably the best showcase for Cherone's voice on the album, his voice is a strange one to describe, I have heard others call him a rip-off of Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury, and while I hear a little of Mercury their is no Plant in him to my ears. The solo is short and sweet, but the star of this track is the chorus and Gary's rich vocals.

12. FAIR-WEATHER FAITH (4.49)
Another rocker that encompasses a broad range of style with even a little Southern Rock thrown in the main riff. The track is quite similar to some of Tesla's latter day stuff but their is no mistaking this is Extreme with those backup harmony vocals from Bettencourt and Badger. Nuno's throws in licks and fill all around and the sparse sounds again does wonders. The solo is quite Joe Perry-ish with its loose feel and attitude and shows another of Nuno's influences. A good track to end the album or is it??

WAITING FOR THE PUNCHLINE (Hidden Bonus Track)
A heavy rocker with a Zakk Wylde [Pride & Glory era] feel to the guitar work which is down and dirty guitar grooves. Gary's voice is heavily effected and while it sounds psychedelic doesn't really do a lot else. The chorus is damn good and nothing like Extreme have done in the past, while not an essential track it is a nice surprise tagged on the end.