From: n8846069@henson.cc.wwu.edu (BarryB)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: REVIEW:  Extreme's new album
Date: 29 Sep 92 08:13:14 GMT
Article-I.D.: henson.1992Sep29.081314.11571
Organization: Western Washington University

By popular demand here's my review of Extreme's new album
"III Sides to Every Story".

I bought the album the day it was released, Sept. 22, so I've
been listening to it for about a week now.

The album is broken up into 3 sections:  Yours, Mine, and The Truth.

*** YOURS ***

These 6 songs are all in the vien of the band's funky pop metal that
has dominated their previous two albums.  Most of it's really
catchy sounding, yet invovative enough and skillfully performed
to hold up after repeated playings.

The lyrics in this section focus primarily on war, government,
and racism.

*** MINE ***

These 5 songs vary in style quite a bit, but tend to be fairly
mellow overall.

The lyrics here seem to focus mainly on lost faith.

My favorite track in this section is "God Isn't Dead".
A powerful peace with just piano, vocals, and very dark
orchestration.  Not exactly uplifting stuff, but very
moving nonetheless.

*** THE TRUTH ***

This section is a 20 minute song called "Every Thing Under The Sun".
It sounds *very* different from the typical Extreme style.  The
sound would best be described as symphonic progressive rock.  Here
the band is backed up by a complete orchestra!

This song is about Christian faith, sin, and redemption.

The first part of the song, "Rise 'n Shine" is filled with biblical
imagery and presents itself in a flowing acoustic manner:

    Night rests in peace,
    as the sun mourns the sky
    All accounted for sheep,
    over a horizon's I

    Rise, rise 'n shine
    A new day is coming
    Rise, rise in time
    For everything under the sun
    .....

    I had a dream,
    not unlike the one from old
    Of a man king,
    whose head was made of gold

The middle part, "Am I Ever Gonna Change", is fabulous!  This is my
favorite song on the album.  The interplay between Nuno's guitar
and the orchestra reaches really grand heights!

    am I ever gonna change
    take it day by day
    my will is weak
    and flesh too strong
    this peace I seek
    till thy kingdom comes

There is a priest in the middle that talks for quite awhile in
a language I can't understand.  Anyone care to translate it?

The final part, "Who Cares?", brings all the thoughts together
in a dramatic conclustion that is more of the orchestra than
anything else:

    Tell me Jesus,
    are you angry?
    One more sheep has,
    just gone astray
    A hardening of hearts,
    turning to stone
    Wandering off,
    so far from home
    So many chilldren,
    losing time
    Walk in darkness,
    looking for a sign
    Chasing their rainbows,
    the future looks bright
    Slowly we're losing,
    Sight of the light

    Who cares?
    .....

    Here I am,
    a naked man
    Nothing to hide
    with empty hands
    Remember me,
    I am the one
    Who lost his way,
    your Prodigal Son
    .....

    Rise, rise 'n shine
    A new day is coming
    Yes it is!

Well, I am really enjoying this album.  And the running time is an
incredable 76 minutes!

RATING:  9 (out of 10)

-BarryB