History Music / Extreme

Then again, some may only know them for [[BlackSheepHit those two acoustic hits]].

* MotorMouth Motor Mouth: The words in ''Play With Me'' fly by as fast as the riffs, and ''Cupid's Dead'' [[RapRock isn't the easiest song to keep up with either]].

** A three-sided album ([[JustForPun hence the title]]) where all three sides are stylistically distinct. Side one, "Mine", focuses on the stadium rock the band is most associated with and features lyrics based on political issues such as the role of government, war, racism, and the media. The second side, "Mine", is more personal lyrically and follows up on the pop style of ''Hole Hearted'' and ''More Than Words''. Starting from the light-hearted minor hit ''Tragic Comic'', the songs quickly grow darker, with the ballad ''Our Father'' addressing a runaway father ([[NotChristianRock who may or may not be God]]) and expressing philosophical doubt. This sets the stage for the ProgressiveRock-oriented final side, "The Truth", a three-part suite heavy on biblical references which attempts to answer what the point of it all is.

* InTheStyleOf: Twice on "Pornograffitti" - ''More Than Words'' [[BlackSheepHit confused listeners]] with its [[Music/TheEverlyBrothers Everly Brothers-esque]] sound while ''When I First Kissed You'' is a [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] FrankSinatra homage. ''Ghost'' from "Saudades de Rock" is likewise a Music/{{Coldplay}} pastiche.

** Attempting to hit the big time after touring the Boston area, Extreme recorded ten of their fifty-song library for a mostly undistinguished debut album. The album's sound doesn't stand out from the rest of the VanHalen-esque HairMetal of the time, and [[WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows 1989 did not need more hair metal]], but some of the later signatures - Bettencourt's precise lead guitar, well-placed three-part harmonies, and a consistent album-wide lyrical theme (centered loosely around childhood) - make themselves known. [[ClassicalMusic Classically-inspired]] [[BreakawayPopHit radio hit]] ''Play With Me'', a non-single from the ''BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' soundtrack added at the last minute, helped break Extreme out and point the way towards their later eclectic ways.

** A three-sided album ([[JustForPun hence the title]]) where all three sides are stylistically distinct. Side one, "Mine", focuses on the stadium rock the band is most associated with and featured lyrics based on political issues such as the role of government, war, racism, and the media. The second side, "Mine", is more personal lyrically and follows up on the pop style of ''Hole Hearted'' and ''More Than Words''. Starting from the light-hearted minor hit ''Tragic Comic'', the songs quickly grow darker, with the ballad ''Our Father'' addressing a runaway father ([[NotChristianRock who may or may not be God]]) and expressing philosophical doubt. This sets the stage for the ProgressiveRock-oriented final side, "The Truth", a three-part suite heavy on biblical references which attempts to answer what the point of it all is.

* LastNoteHilarity: 'Suzi (Wants Her All Day What)' is left unresolved...or not...

** Attempting to hit the big time after touring the Boston area, Extreme recorded ten of their fifty-song library for a mostly undistinguished debut album. The album's sound doesn't stand out from the rest of the VanHalen-esque HairMetal of the time, and [[WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows 1989 did not need more hair metal]], but some of the later signatures - Bettencourt's precise lead guitar, well-placed three-part harmonies, and a consistent album-wide lyrical theme (centered loosely around childhood) - make themselves known. [[ClassicalMusic Classically-inspired]] [[BreakawayPopHit radio hit]] ''Play With Me'', a non-single from the ''BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' soundtrack added at the last minute, helped break Extreme loose from the pack and point the way towards their later eclectic ways.

* [[LastNoteHilarity Last Note Hilarity]] "Suzi (Wants Her All Day What)" is left unresolved. Or not.
* [[MisogynySong Misogyny Song]]: "He-Man Woman Hater"
* [[MotorMouth Motor Mouth]]: Just try to sing along in "Play With Me" and "Cupid's Dead"!

** Attempting to hit the big time after touring the Boston area, Extreme recorded ten of their fifty-song library for a mostly undistinguished debut album. The album's sound doesn't stand out from the rest of the VanHalen-esque HairMetal of the time, and [[WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows 1989 did not need more hair metal]], but some of the later signatures - Bettencourt's precise lead guitar, well-placed three-part harmonies, and a consistent album-wide lyrical theme (centered loosely around childhood) - make themselves known. [[ClassicalMusic Classically-inspired]] [[BreakawayPopHit radio hit]] "Play With Me", a non-single from the ''BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' soundtrack added at the last minute, helped break Extreme loose from the pack and point the way towards their later eclectic ways.

* ConceptAlbum: ''Pornograffiti'' and ''III Sides to Every Story'' at least.

Among the last wave of [[TheEighties 80's]]/[[TheNineties 90's]] pop-metal "[[HairMetal hair]]" bands, Boston-based '''Extreme''' stand out from the pack thanks to an eclectic musical sensibility owing as much to TheBeatles as to VanHalen. Mostly classified as a FunkMetal band, Extreme nonetheless dabbled with several pop forms during their career, ranging from the pre-rock pop of FrankSinatra to trendy mid-90's PostGrunge, meshing it all into a series of loose [[ConceptAlbum Concept Albums]]. Through it all, they've maintained a strong technical reputation as musicians - especially Portuguese-born guitar wizard Nuno Bettencourt.

Among the last wave of [[TheEighties 80's]]/[[TheNineties 90's]] pop-metal "[[HairMetal hair]]" bands, Boston-based '''Extreme''' stand out from the pack thanks to an eclectic musical sensibility owing as much to TheBeatles as to VanHalen. Mostly classified as a FunkMetal band, Extreme nonetheless dabbled with several pop forms during their career, ranging from the pre-rock pop of FrankSinatra to trendy mid-90's PostGrunge, meshing it all into a series of loose [[ConceptAlbum Concept Albums]]. Through it all, they've maintained a strong technical reputation as musicians - especially Portuguese-born guitar wizard Nuno Bettencourt. Then again, some may only know them for [[BlackSheepHit those two acoustic hits]].

Among the last wave of [[TheEighties 80's]]/[[TheNineties 90's]] pop-metal "[[HairMetal hair]]" bands, Boston-based '''Extreme''' stand out from the pack thanks to an eclectic musical sensibility owing as much to TheBeatles as to VanHalen. Mostly classified as a FunkMetal band, Extreme nonetheless dabbled with several pop forms during their career, ranging from the pre-rock pop of FrankSinatra to trendy mid-90's PostGrunge, all the while maintaining a strong technical reputation as musicians - especially Portuguese-born guitar wizard Nuno Bettencourt. Then again, some may only know them for [[BlackSheepHit those two acoustic hits]].

** A seemingly-final effort mostly InTheStyleOf {{Soundgarden}}, "Waiting" hews only very loosely to its narrative about a cynical atheist who finds religion. Mostly known for the more characteristic single ''Midnight Express'', a showcase for Bettencourt which still appears in the band's live set.

A funk-metal act from Boston, Extreme are revered as one of the most musicially proficient bands of the late 80s/early 90s, mostly due to Portugese-born virtuoso guitarist Nuno Bettencourt. And there's that acoustic hit song too.

Singer Gary Cherone is also infamous for his short stint as [[DorkAge the third]] [[VanHalen Van Halen]] singer.

** Attempting to hit the big time after touring the Boston area, Extreme recorded ten of their fifty-song library for a mostly undistinguished debut album. The album's sound doesn't stand out from the rest of the VanHalen-esque HairMetal of the time, and [[WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows 1989 did not need more hair metal]], but some of the later signatures - Bettancourt's precise lead guitar, well-placed three-part harmonies, and a consistent album-wide lyrical theme (centered loosely around childhood) - make themselves known. [[ClassicalMusic Classically-inspired]] [[BreakawayPopHit radio hit]] "Play With Me", a non-single from the ''BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' soundtrack added at the last minute, helped break Extreme loose from the pack and point the way towards their later eclectic ways.

** The breakthrough multiplatinum-selling album brought along the funky and mellow signature tendencies of the band. Described as "A Funked Up Fairytale", the album had a signifigant concept-album vibe surrounding it. Backed up with "Lil' Jack Horn Section" and truly groundbreaking guitar work, "Porno" was an dynamically diverse bunch of electrifying funk metal songs such as "Get The Funk Out", "Decadence Dance" and "He-Man Woman Hater" sharing the spotlight with the acoustic mega-hits "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted". There's even a sinatraesque piano ballad, a mind-boggingly precise guitar solo and tongue-in-cheek rapping thrown in for a good measure.

** A three-sided album (hence the title) where all three sides are stylistically distinct. Side one, "Mine", focuses on the stadium rock the band is most associated with and featured lyrics based on political issues such as the role of government, war, racism, and the media. The second side, "Mine", is more personal lyrically and follows up on the pop style of ''Hole Hearted'' and ''More Than Words''. Starting from the light-hearted minor hit ''Tragic Comic'', the songs quickly grow darker, with the ballad ''Our Father'' addressing a runaway father ([[NotChristianRock who may or may not be God]]) and expressing philosophical doubt. This sets the stage for the ProgressiveRock-oriented final side, "The Truth", a three-part suite heavy on biblical references which attempts to answer what the point of it all is.

** A seemingly-final effort mostly InTheStyleOf {{Soundgarden}}, ''Waiting'' hews only very loosely to its narrative about a cynical atheist who finds religion. Mostly known for the more characteristic single "Midnight Express", a showcase for Bettancourt which still appears in the band's live set.

** A reunion album whose title roughly translates as "Nostalgia For Rock" in Portuguese, ''Saudades'' lacks the unified lyrical themes of most of the band's work, instead emphasizing their FunkMetal style even on PinkFloyd tribute "Comfortably Dumb". "Take Us Alive" also provided the title for their subsequent tour.

** Having three sides to every story is also a recurring lyrical theme in "Cupid's Dead"
** "Saudades de Rock" has "Peace (Saudade)"

* [[ChristmasSongs Christmas Songs]]: The B-side "Christmas Time Again", though it doesn't exactly praise Christmas time.

* [[CountryMusic Country Music]]: "Hole Hearted" has a countryish acoustic orchestration and four-on-the-floor bass drum beat througout.

* [[DistinctDoubleAlbum Distinct One-And-A-Half Album]]
* [[DualMeaningChorus Dual Meaning Chorus]]: "Hole Hearted" can be interpreted as being a regular love song or about having a so-called "god-shaped hole".

* {{Homage}}: The first comeback single, "Rock and Roll Man", to the late [[Music/{{Boston}} Brad Delp]].

* NotChristianRock: They are masters of this. While not a Christian band, Gery Cherone is himself an outspoken Christian, and the lyrics the a lot of their songs are filled with bible refrences and Christian themes. Some songs, such as "Watching , Waiting", "Hole Hearted", "Am I Ever Gonna Change?" and "Rise and Shine" are pretty much straight up Christian.

* ProgressiveRock: Especially on ''III Sides to Every Story''. Nuno's guitar solos often have a neoclassical quality to them, as best seen in "Play With Me" on ''Extreme''
* [[RapRock Rap Rock]]: "When I'm President" is a curious example. "Cupid's Dead" also contains a rap section towards the end.

** A three-sided album (hence the title) where all three sides are stylistically distinct. Side one, "Mine", focused on the stadium rock the band is most associated with and featured lyrics based on political issues such as the role of government, war, racism, and the media. The second side, "Mine", is more personal lyrically and follows up on the pop style of ''Hole Hearted'' and ''More Than Words''. Starting from the light-hearted minor hit ''Tragic Comic'', the songs quickly grow darker, with the ballad ''Our Father'' addressing a runaway father ([[NotChristianRock who may or may not be God]]) and expressing philosophical doubt. This sets the stage for the ProgressiveRock-oriented final side, "The Truth", a three-part suite heavy on biblical references which attempts to answer what the point of it all is.

** A three-sided album (hence the title) where all three sides are stylistically distinct. Side one, "Mine", focused on the stadium rock the band is most associated with and featured lyrics based on political issues such as the role of government, war, racism, and the media. The second side, "Mine", is more personal lyrically and follows up on the pop style of ''Hole Hearted'' and ''More Than Words''. Starting from the light-hearted minor hit ''Tragic Comic'', the songs slowly quickly grow darker, with the ballad ''Our Father'' addressing a runaway father ([[NotChristianRock who may or may not be God]]) and expressing philosophical doubt. This sets the stage for the ProgressiveRock-oriented final side, "The Truth", a three-part suite heavy on biblical references which attempts to answer what the point of it all is.

* 1990 - ''Pornograffitti''

* 1992 - ''III Sides To Every Story''

* 1994 - ''Waiting For The Punchline''

** Attempting to break out after touring the Boston area, Extreme recorded ten of their fifty-song library for a mostly undistinguished debut album. The album's sound doesn't stand out from the rest of the VanHalen-esque HairMetal of the time, and [[WebVideo/ToddInTheShadows 1989 did not need more hair metal]], but some of the later signatures - Bettancourt's precise lead guitar, well-placed four-part harmonies, and a consistent lyrical theme centered loosly around childhood - make themselves known. Classically-inspired [[BreakawayPopHit radio hit]] "Play With Me", a non-single from the ''BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'' soundtrack added at the last minute, helped break Extreme loose from the pack and point the way towards their later eclectic ways.

* 1989 - ''Extreme''
** After gigging for several years on the Boston circuit, Extreme had written a respectable arsenal of over 50 songs. 11 of those songs ended up on the debut (the vinyl version does not contain "[[BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure Play]] [[GuitarHero With Me]]" though). With juniveile lyric subjects and triggered snare drums, the overall atmosphere on the record is mostly un-Extremely generic [[HairMetal hair metal]], although filled with top-class guitar work and vocal harmonies as evident in the heavy "Kid Ego" and Van Halenesque "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go To School Today)" and "Teacher's Pet".

* 2008 - ''Saudades de Rock''

* [[GenreBusting Genre Busting]]: These guys love this. Rock band playing a lounge ballad? Come on.
* [[HairMetal Hair Metal]]: Arguably, the debut album in most places.

* CoverVersion: ''[[Music/{{KISS}} Strutter]]'', ''[[TheBeatles Help!]]'', and ''[[Music/{{Queen}} Love Of My Life]]''

** A seemingly-final effort InTheStyleOf Soundgarden, ''Waiting'' hews only very loosely to its narrative about a cynical atheist who finds religion. Mostly known for the more characteristic single "Midnight Express", a showcase for Bettancourt which still appears in the band's live set.

* CoverVersion: ''[[Music/{{KISS}} Strutter]]'', ''[[TheBeatles Help! ]]'', and ''[[Music/{{Queen}} Love Of My Life]]''

* [[ProgressiveRock Progressive Rock]] Especially on ''III Sides to Every Story''. Nuno's guitar solos often have a neoclassical quality to them, as best seen in "Play With Me" on ''Extreme''

* ShoutOut: "[[TheBeatles I read the news today, oh boy]]/About a tragic comedy", from ''Cupid's Dead''. Pat Badger also uses PaulMcCartney's [[IconicItem Höfner bass guitar]] in the ''Tragic Comic'' video. And then there's "[[PinkFloyd ComfortablyDumb]]"

** After gigging for several years on the Boston circuit, Extreme had written a respectable arsenal of over 50 songs. 11 of those songs ended up on the debut (the vinyl version does not contain "[[BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure Play]] [[GuitarHero With Me]]" though). With juniveile lyric subjects and triggered snare drums, the overall atmosphere on the record is mostly un-Extremely generic [[HairMetal hair metal]], although filled with top-class guitar work and vocal harmonies as evident in the heavy "Kid Ego" and Van Halenesque "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go To School Today)" and "Teacher's Pet".

** Concept album
* 1995 - ''Waiting For The Punchline''
** Grunge record

** Comeback album

* CoverVersion: ''[[Music/{{KISS}} Strutter]]'' and ''[[TheBeatles Help! ]]''

* [[ProgressiveRock Progressive Rock]]