Love Extreme, it's a huge shame that their reunion didn't really amount to anything.
I've been having such a great time with the Maiden thread that I'm already thinking about doing another one, Extreme is at the top of my list of possible bands.
I would definitely be interested. Extreme are a band that was very hit and miss for me. Up until Saudades, they have always had songs on any given album that I liked, some I actively disliked, and some I just couldn't be fussed with. But I also have never really delved into their history and the background and details of each of their albums. I would love a good discography thread that does that. It could lead me to learn to have a greater appreciation for some of those songs that never clicked with me. And even if it doesn't, I know it will lead to a greater appreciation of the band as a whole.
I will make the controversial statement and say, the problem with Sausades wasn't the album, it was the fans. Sausades is a quintessential Extreme album. It's sometimes playfully sexist (King of the Ladies), it irreverently plugs unexpected music styles (Take us alive), it has Nuno-esque songs (Flower Man), and beautiful ballads (Interface).
That's what Extreme is about IMO, and Sausades delivers top quality with all of those. The problem is rather, people want a Pornograffiti 2.0.
Well, I can't really speak to what the fanbase as a whole wanted. I'm just not nearly in tune with the Extreme fan base. But I think in terms of the non-hardcore Extreme fan base that is the '80s/early '90s rock fanbase as a whole, just like more casual fans of ANY band of that era, of course they want/expect pt. 2 of the band's most popular album or else aren't interested.
But the more important point is, to me, you absolutely NAILED how I felt about Saudades. On any other given Extreme album, as I mentioned above, I can probably point to maybe a handful of songs I like. I can't say I "like" any other album more than a little bit. Saudades is a clear exception. I
LOVE that album, and you hit on the reasons why in your post. It came at a time when I wasn't expecting anything from this band, and they completely blew me away. And it didn't hurt that their performance on that tour was spectacular, or that they captured it for a live release.
1 This album fired on all cylinders for me, and it's hard to come up with many songs I don't care for. I know I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I don't care.
21. What is also cool is that King's X put out a live release from that same tour where they opened for Extreme, so watching both back to back is like reliving that show in its entirety.
2. Who am I kidding? When do I EVER?