Extreme-Saudades de rock

Open E
2008

Extreme return with their first new record in 13 years and they bring back the harmonies, stellar guitar parts and funky bass that had been their trademark back during their original run. It's entirely the same though as before they had this sound that was at times showed influences of both Queen and Van Halen. On the new album there is far more of Led Zeppelin influence popping up throughout the album. My first time through this left me feeling a little confused because it sounds like Extreme did back in the day yet at the same time it doesn't. Huh? Well, all the features I mentioned at the start of this review were indeed present. Songs like "Star" and "Run" for example are musically and vocally along the lines of what we might expect yet the overall feel is perhaps a little less bouncy and maybe even not as upbeat. In the end that's okay because it still works just in a different manner. This album isn't exactly more involved than any of their previous albums, but they do widen the field a little by really attempting a broader range in how they approach most of the songs. That's not to say that every track works, but it's a good effort. They really took a stab at not just a comeback, but they obviously wanted to show some growth as well. I can't help but shake the feeling that they seem a little reserved at times, but that could just be a case of trying to shake off the dust from not having recorded with one another in such a long time. Of course it wouldn't be an Extreme album without a few ballads and most of the ones here work rather well. This isn't an album that was easy to take to in just one listen, but it's a grower and a few listens are in order. It's not exactly where Extreme were at their peak and it doesn't really pick up where they left off. Yet it gives a healthy serving of most worked in their music years ago plus they certainly give us some new sounds to chew on as well.