Extreme - Extreme Ii Pornograffitti

Extreme's best recording displays this band's considerable talents to their best advantage, particularly those of guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and vocalist Gary Cherone (as of this writing, sounding a lot like Sammy Hagar as the current singer for Van Halen). The album's success has mainly been due to the soft-spoken hits "More Than Words" and "Hole Hearted," but there's plenty to like on this album, which explores the very general theme of love in a cynical world. Extreme had a lot on their minds when they recorded Pornograffitti, as evidenced by the songs "Decadence Dance," "When I'm President," and "Money (In God We Trust)." Aside from the aforementioned ballads and the loungey "When I First Kissed You," this album rocks out, examining serious themes with considerable humor, which prevents Extreme from ever sounding preachy or condescending. --Genevieve Williams