Saudades de Rock

'Saudades de Rock' (pronounced "sow-dodge de rock", which roughly translates from Portuguese as "Nostalgic Yearning for Rock") is the title for Extreme's fifth studio album. It is the band's first new material since 1995's 'Waiting for the Punchline', and also their first release with new drummer Kevin Figueiredo.

With four studio albums, two EPs (in Japan) and two compilations since the bands formation, Extreme were one of the most successful bands from the early 1990s, selling over 10 million albums worldwide. Extreme rose to fame with its 1990 release 'Pornograffitti', which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200, and was certified gold in May 1991 and 2x multi-platinum in October 1992. That album also featured the acoustic ballad hit single "More Than Words", which reached #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 in the United States.

Some of Extreme's influences, Queen and Van Halen (the latter of which Gary Cherone would eventually join briefly, for their 'III' album), are easily apparent from their music's multi-part vocal harmonies and electric guitar tone and instrumental techniques. Guitarist Nuno Bettencourt is revered in his own right among the best rock guitarists in the world taking elements from Eddie Van Halen, Randy Roades and Jimi Hendrix.

'Saudades de Rock' delivers 13 tracks of true rock & roll all jam packed with classic riffs, stunning vocal harmonies, huge choruses and Nuno's trademark solos. The opening track "Star" is reminiscent of "Three Sides" opener "Warhead" exploding into life with a funk infused blues rock riff followed by the pink floyd inspired "Comfortably Dumb" and the Zeppelin esque "Learn to Love". "Ghost" represents Extreme's softer side with its haunting piano and subtle vocal delivery. Nuno makes a lead vocal appearance on the swaggering "King of the Ladies" claiming "if I knew back then, what I know right now I'd be the king of the Ladies" and there's also a nod to David Bowie on the infectiously funkadelic "Run".