Extreme (album)


Extreme is the first studio album of Boston funk-metal band Extreme, released on March 14, 1989. Being released on a major label, the album sold modestly well at around 300,000 units. It produced four singles: "Little Girls", "Kid Ego", "Mutha " and the radio-only "Play with Me". It was not until their next album, Pornograffitti, that the band become well known.

Musical style

Musically, the record is composed of catchy guitar riffs, often with funky, syncopated timing and fast soloing. The record foreshadowed the technical prowess of guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, which was more fully realized on the band's subsequent release Pornograffitti. Songs such as "Watching, Waiting" and "Rock a Bye Bye" are more in the vein of Queen, with three-part harmony and focus on slower, melody-based guitar solos from Bettencourt. The band later noted Queen as a major influence on their style.

Songs

Lyrically, the album is dominated by themes associated with childhood. This focus is particularly evident in the first single, "Kid Ego", as well as "Mutha ", "Little Girls", "Teacher's Pet", "Big Boys Don't Cry" and the rock-out finale "Play with Me".
"Play with Me" was featured in the movie Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure during the mall-chase scene, as well as in Jury Duty as Pauly Shore's stripping song.
A cover version of "Play with Me" is also featured in ' as the final track in game. The master recording is featured in '.
"Little Girls", "Kid Ego", "Mutha " and "Play With Me" were released as singles.

Production and marketing

The record was recorded by Mack, and engineered by Mack and Bob St John. It was mixed by St John and Bettencourt.
The album was marketed as a glam metal record, consistent with the band's own image at the time its release.

Track listing

All songs written by Cherone & Bettencourt, except "Mutha " by Cherone, LeBeaux & Hunt.
  1. "Little Girls" – 3:47
  2. "Wind Me Up" – 3:37
  3. "Kid Ego" – 4:04
  4. "Watching, Waiting" – 4:54
  5. "Mutha " – 4:52*
  6. "Teacher's Pet" – 3:02
  7. "Big Boys Don't Cry" – 3:34
  8. "Smoke Signals" – 4:14
  9. "Flesh 'n' Blood" – 3:31
  10. "Rock a Bye Bye" – 5:57
  11. "Play with Me" – 3:29**
* Short extra solo added on the vinyl release. The writing credits read Cherone & Bettencourt, but in fact the song was written by Hal LeBeaux and Peter Hunt and Gary Cherone of The Dream. It was also included on their 1984 eponymous EP. Later it became an item of the Extreme classic catalogue and was re-recorded for the first Extreme album.
** Not included on Japan vinyl edition. The song takes its intro and ending guitar riff from Mozart's Alla Turca: Allegretto in A minor.

Personnel