Extreme (album)

Extreme is the first studio album of Boston glam metal band Extreme, released on March 14, 1989. Being released on a major label, the album sold modestly well at around 300,000 units.[4] It produced four singles: "Little Girls", "Kid Ego", "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go to School Today)" and the radio-only "Play with Me". It was not until their next album, Pornograffitti, that the band become well known.

Extreme
Studio album by
Extreme
ReleasedMarch 14, 1989
Recorded1988
GenreHeavy metal, glam metal
Length44:57
LabelA&M
ProducerMack, Extreme
Extreme chronology
Extreme
(1989)		 Pornograffitti
(1990)
Singles from Extreme
  1. "Little Girls"
    Released: 1989
  2. "Kid Ego"
    Released: 1989
  3. "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go to School Today)"
    Released: 1989
  4. "Play with Me"
    Released: 1989
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
The Daily VaultC+[2]
Rolling Stone[3]

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 (Don't Want to Go to School Today)", "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 Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s as the final track in game. The master recording is featured in Guitar Hero: Smash Hits.

"Little Girls", "Kid Ego", "Mutha (Don't Wanna Go To School Today)" 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 (Don't Wanna Go To School Today)" 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 (Don't Wanna Go to School Today)" – 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 (music) and Gary Cherone (lyrics) 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 (1783). The song is also omitted from the 2020 limited edition "Vinyl is Beautiful" release.

Personnel

Other personnel
  • The Lollipop Kids – background vocals (tracks 5, 11)
  • Jeff Gold – art direction
  • Nigel Green – mixing on tracks 2 and 3
  • Mack – producer on all but 2 and 3, engineer
  • Rapheal May – harmonica
  • Bob St. John – engineer, mixing
  • Harris Savides – photography
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering

Chart information
Year Album / Single Peak chart positions
Billboard 200 US Mainstream Rock AUS
[5]
1989 Extreme 80 [6] - 97
"Kid Ego" - 39 [7] -

References
  1. Allmusic review
  2. The Daily Vault review
  3. "Rolling Stone review". Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved 2015-03-26.
  4. A&M Records History A&M Records. Accessed January 22, 2011.
  5. "Chartifacts – Week Ending: 14 July 1991 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 77)". Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA). Retrieved 2017-02-09.
  6. "Extreme Album Chart History". Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  7. "Extreme Singles Chart History". Retrieved 2008-09-03.
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