After a bit of back and forth with my kind editor here at Blogcritics, we have decided to tweak the column a bit. Now I started this tweak last week with the overhang of stuff that was bubbling over on my blog.
This week we shall start the “feature review” where I will devote a few more words to one particular release. This week’s lucky release is the rather good new one from Extreme. The lads from Boston have done me a good turn and made it easy to wax poetic.
Extreme: Saudades De Rock
Extreme was quite a big name back in the 80s, mostly as a result of a few weepies that captured a wide audience (mainly women) for the band. I am sure all of you have heard “More than Words”. They released some cracking albums during their career. They were all of good quality as well, even though there was some range in style from rock-funk to the grandiosity of Queen.
Then it all came a cropper when the lead singer jumped ship to join Van Halen, once Sammy Hagar left, for one rather appalling effort in the form of Van Halen III. I used to say that Cherone managed to wreck two great bands in one action.
This release sees three quarters of the band re-unite, minus drummer Pat Badger, to deliver one of the best albums of their quality career. Interestingly, the band visits all aspects of their past endeavours, including their funky beginning and their almost operatic end. The band is in excellent form and prove there is life left.
From the excellent tale of the foibles of fame in “Star,” which begins the 13 track affair, to the six minute epic title track that closes the proceedings, the band proves they are not just in it for the reunion money. This is clearly one of the strongest showings from a band back from the dead/stasis this year. It certainly rivals releases from Def Leppard and Whitesnake for AOR album of the year.
Cherone and company realized the 80s nostalgia set are a bunch of cranky and critical listeners. This band seem re-invigorated and are setting out to prove that they are as good as we remember them to be. Extreme are far more than a couple of weepy power-ballads and this will prove it to those wishing to listen.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
This release really raised the metal bar from the brain-dead thrash era to the more technical trend that now exists whether you are talking Opeth or Dimmu Borgir.
Dude, I love Control Denied,but, Ron Jarzombek put the bar at this level back in the 80's with Watchtower. AND, to overlook such acts as Spastic Ink,Atheist,Cynic, Pestilence & OPETH(Yes, they released some impressive shite in the mid 90's)really does an injustice to Metal history.
Chuck(RIP) is a pioneer for what he did with DEATH,BUT, Control Denied is still only apart of a building momentum that has been taking place for the past 15+ years! YES, The Fragile Art of Existence is a must own CD for anyone who calls themselves a Metal Aficionado!
2 - Marty Dodge
Fair point...as you probably know this column is very fond of Opeth and have never overlooked them. I think what I meant is that when Chuck did in CD; a lot more heavy musicians took notice. It gets namechecked more often than any of those bands you mentioned besides Opeth and Cynic.
3 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Most Definitely! I agree 100%.. It always the case that a lot of important bands do not get the credit they deserve. It took nearly two decades for Chuck to get the credit he deserved with his phenomenal work in DEATH. Atheist pushed the envelope back in the day & plenty of MetalHeads didn't understand what they were doing. Watchtower truly pioneered the musicianship,talent & spirit of the music we are witnessing today!
Hell, it took a while for people to recognize what Chuck was up to in Control Denied because we all loved DEATH & this was truly the culmination & direction that he wanted to go. The Sound of Perseverance was supposed to be a Control Denied album, but Chuck got inspired to do another DEATH album, if I remember correctly, he could only hear those lyrics with a growling style AND, ultimately,for his fans!
Still, it's a Good Review. I just get passionate about Metal because its my life!!