Extreme has been around since 1985, but there debut album didn’t come out until 1989 and that one wasn’t as successful.  However, their second album ‘Pornograffitti’ took them to the next level and brought them in to the mainstream.  It was that album that I became a fan and it was through the song “More Than Words” that introduced me to the band.  That song was nothing like the rest of the album and thank goodness.  What I found on their records was a much more interesting band.

Extreme had an intelligence to their music and lyrics.  For the first couple of albums, there was a childlike whimsy to the lyrics, but musically they were heads and shoulders above everyone else.  They were lumped in to the Hair Band genre which was unfair as they weren’t anything like those bands.  What I also loved about them is their use of Portmanteau.  They way they would meld two words together to make a new one.  They did this on all but one album…you have Pornograffitti, Politicalamity, Evilangelist and Americocaine.  These songs always tackled a very serious topic in a very intelligent way.

The band broke up between 1996 and 2004, but thankfully got back together.  They have only released 5 albums to date which is way too few.  We need more.  Until then, we will rank their 5 albums from the Worst to the First. I hope you enjoy.

WORST – SUADADES DE ROCK (2008):

If this is the band’s worst album, then dang, the rest must be incredible because this is a really great album.  So why is it at the bottom?  I will tell you.  First, I have only had 10 years with this album and the rest I have had 25-30 years.  Second, there are more tracks I didn’t like on this one then the others. Simple enough.  I didn’t like the opening track “Stars” for starters and a few others, plus I actually had a few issues with Gary Cherone’s vocals. They weren’t as crisp as before.  Musically though, this thing is great.

Continue reading “Extreme – The Albums Ranked From Worst to First” →