Rocktrospectiva: The Conceptual And Succesful "Extreme II: Pornograffitti" Turns 35

Released on 7 August 1990 "Extreme II: Pornograffitti" was the second studio album by the heavy metal band Extreme. The album spawned five singles "Decadence Dance", "Get The Funk Out", "More Than Words", "Hole Hearted" and "Song For Love". 

Now this was a concept album, due its story is about lost innocence and uneasiness, though the album "[focuses] on the same funk-metal vibe as their debut, it became massively popular due to the acoustic single "More Than Words".  Back in 1990, when the grunge/alternative music explosion was still a year off, a few mainstream hard-rock bands sensed a cultural shift coming and one of those band that did was Extreme.

Based in Boston, their sound, while heavily influenced by funk, was pure arena rock. They had, in Nuno Bettencourt, a guitarist in the Eddie Van Halen mould.  But what they delivered in 1990, with their second album, was not just a kick-ass rock record but also a statement on society pointed the greed and sexual exploitation that was so celebrated in 80s rock'n'roll.

The opener "Decadence Dance" had a deep funky rockin' groove with an excellent melody and catchy chorus – this  was  killer opening track. We carry on with the funk into "Li’l Jack Horny," with ripping guitars and horns – awesome second track in.  Closely followed by "When I’m President", which started with a rap style vocal from Gary Cherone and the usual funky vibes. This otherwise ordinary track were lifted by a cool middle eight with some tasty guitar from Nuno. Then it’s onto this album’s finest track, "Get The Funk Out." huge guitar riff with a really fat sound, superb singalong chorus, a fat bass groove, and killer guitar. This was Extreme at its best.

But what about the world wide smash "More Than Words" this changed the band's status overnight, practically they were massive and world wide knows, and practically – every human alive probably knows about this tune, almost close "Hole Hearted",  other intense tracks were the killer funk groove, "It's A Monster", with yet another sing a long chorus, huge guitars, and awesome bass groove. And finally the fillers "When I First Kissed You", "Song Of Love",  In between those two, Suzi, and then the comic book-esque, He Man Woman Hater.

The album received largely positive reception due the band showed a strong desire to experiment and push the boundaries of the pop-metal format, no doubt why they called the album, "a thinking man's hair metal album, with thoughtful lyrics and tasteful guitar work".

 

Extreme II Pornograffitti Track List: 

 

1. Decadence Dance

2. Li'l Jack Horny

3. When I'm President

4. Get The Funk Out

5. More Than Words

6. It ('s A Monster)

7. Pornograffitti

8. When I First Kissed You

9. Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)

10. He-Man Woman Hater 

11. Song For Love

12. Hole Hearted