EXTREME: Extreme (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Gathered in 1985 from the merger of two bands, the Bostonians of Extreme produced their first eponymous album in 1989. First spotted and distinguished in their home state of Massachusetts, it was A&M Records that would follow the band for their "first" four albums. The four musicians who form Extreme are all in their twenties in 1989 and their fiery youth will give birth to a brilliant and energetic opus, carried by a virtuoso guitarist and by a singer with an exceptional tone.

In addition to the pure glam-rock and metal-funk fusion tracks that will be one of the trademarks of Extreme, the four from Boston offer ballads often very well written and almost progressive instrumental parts that are directly inspired by Queen (a band that will be a major influence especially for "III Sides"). This "Extreme" lays the groundwork for a style of their own that will be refined for the following album "Pornograffitti".

The album starts with a few notes of harmonica to follow on a very rock title in which Nuno's harmonics are already fusing. His solo is ultra melodic and groovy and this will remain true for every song on this album. After a 'Wind Me Up' with a jerky rhythm and a chorus magnified by perfectly mastered choirs, it's the famous 'Kid Ego' that makes Extreme's music shift into something more funky.

The majority of the lyrics of the album deal with childhood and the small worries of the adolescence and this 'Kid Ego' is the perfect illustration of it. Bettencourt's solo is not the best he has written but he makes up for it on the next track, 'Watching Waiting'. This very neat power ballad gives all its place to the intertwined vocals of Gary and Nuno. The solo is brought with finesse and dissonance and Nuno's bends are heartbreaking.

'Teacher's Pet' and 'Big Boys Don't Cry' are almost twins and confirm the impressive talent to concoct songs with a lot of musicality and choruses that instantly hit the spot. Bettencourt's interventions are very meticulous and careful listening reveals a multitude of discreet notes played by the master. As for 'Smoke Signals' and its funky acoustic intro, it boasts the most beautiful solo on the album.

Among the more original tracks, let's mention 'Rock A Bye Bye', a track in two parts with a ballad in the style of London's Queen and an instrumental in which Nuno offers us a heartbreaking solo. The first signs of the orchestrations dear to the Portuguese will appear in this track. Finally, 'Play With Me' with a high tempo that gives you the spin with its neoclassical intro, its supersonic solo and the fast phrasing of Gary Cherone.

This "Extreme" is a magnificent first album for a band that will quickly gain density. The musical maturity of the musicians is impressive for a first draft and the rather naive content of the texts will leave its place to a more engaged and social content. As soon as Pornograffitti, the funkysant style and the political appétences will grow and will find their apogee in III Sides. - Official website