Extreme - Saudades de Rock

In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Extreme really were one of the most promising, original and exciting bands of their generation. They sold over 10 million records and rocked that funky house down every night – well apart from ‘the’ ballad. Now, thirteen years after Extreme started to run out of ideas, they have reformed and released a new studio album.

Trying to compare ‘Saudades de Rock’ to any of Extreme’s first four albums is easy - it doesn’t come close. On first listen, I remained loyal to the cause as I am a devoted fan of the band. But literally every single track was a forgettable disappointment – how different from the first time I (and indeed the funk rock world) heard ‘Pornograffitti’, which was just mind-blowingly amazing.

Overview!

This album just doesn’t cut any mustard whatsoever. Gary Cherone screams more than he sings. Nuno’s fret-work is not what you would imagine on the ‘great and spectacular’ return of Extreme and the whole album is just plain bland.

The opener and first single ‘Star’ is an infectious and groovy number, but the chorus is ultimately annoying once stuck in your head. There are four ‘slow’ numbers (none hits) and some Zeppelin numbers like ‘Slide’ and ‘Sunrise’. And so on.

Conclusion

I wish that this album was better and I hate to criticise one of my favourite all-time bands (and guitarist), but morally, I have to be honest and no-one is paying me to big it up. I do however, intend to see them live this year, as they are by all accounts, still a ‘tour de force’ on the stage.

What I do know is that Gary Cherone should never have joined Van Halen. Nuno Bettencourt should have formed a band with Dan Reed. Pat Badger has a great name. And ex-drummer Paul Geary, cunningly quit to become a very successful band manager, however he is now managing Extreme…