Extreme: Saudades de Rock

The Music

Loosely translating from Portuguese as "nostalgic yearning for rock", in the wake of surprisingly-good albums from Whitesnake and Def Leppard in 2008, there's no surprise in the fact that one of the genre's most boundary-pushing bands, Extreme, have re-formed to release their fifth studio album.

All but one of the original band is back for this follow-up to 1995's "Waiting For The Punchline", as drummer Paul Geary has stepped back from his kit in order to manage the band, allowing Kevin Figueiredo in to pound the skins.

That means that the unmistakable sound of guitarist Nuno Bettencourt remains, although it's classic Extreme off-kilter vocals that open up the album here, as Bettencourt and lead singer Gary Cherone harmonise on "Star", before Bettencourt whips into major riffage, accompanied by a hard-hitting drum sound, and rhythmic vocals from Cherone.

There's an interesting nod to Pink Floyd in the next track, "Comfortably Dumb" ("I have become comfortably dumb"), after which "Learn To Love" sees Cherone produce one of his best vocal performances on the album, which leaves one questioning just what the hell happened to him during the recording of "Van Halen III".

"Take Us Alive" is a nice hillbilly shuffle, but "Run" doesn't follow that lead, instead serving up a catchy chorus, with a crunchy riff, to boot. "Last Hour" is a song about lost love, and reflects that in its more sombre opening, though the head-banging is back with "Flower Man", as Figueiredo's drums bounce your floor-speakers, and Bettencourt unleashes the same ridiculous - in a good way - soloing that once saw him labelled as the heir to the "guitar god" throne.

There's a lot of humour in the next track, "King of the Ladies" ("If I knew back then what I know right now, I'd be the King of the Ladies"), before the angelic vocals on "Ghost" kick in, building to a beautiful ending to the song. "Interface" is a subtle acoustic ballad with a lovely, lingering guitar solo reminiscent of Joe Bonamassa, while "Peace" comes across like Gary Cherone's one prayer for an end to conflict in the world.

The 1985 demo track "Americocaine" is included at the end of the album as a bonus track for the European market, and once again conjures up visions of Van Halen in its resemblance to the legendary 1984 song "Panama".

Conclusion

Overall, "Saudades de Rock" is an impressive re-grouping for Extreme, who have once again attempted to push the boundaries of their genre - if they can be pigeon-holed to such. In consideration of its title, long-time fans will find themselves digging out their Extreme records once again, and embracing this 2008 effort as a worthy next step.