Waiting for the Punchline

Waiting for the Punchline
Studio album by
Extreme
ReleasedJanuary 19, 1995 (1995-01-19)
Recorded1994
StudioCriteria Studios (Miami, Florida)
Sound Techniques (Boston, Massachusetts)
Genre
Length65.35
LabelA&M
Producer
Extreme chronology
III Sides to Every Story
(1992) 		Waiting for the Punchline
(1995) 		Saudades de Rock
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal7/10[2]
The Daily VaultB−[3]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[4]

Waiting for the Punchline is the fourth album by American band Extreme, released in 1995. It is known by fans as a distinctively raw-sounding record with a significant influence from grunge, especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a concept album.[3] It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer Mike Mangini (on three tracks). After the album's tour, Extreme disbanded in 1996 when Bettencourt informed the band that he was leaving to pursue a solo career. After the breakup, singer Gary Cherone joined Van Halen in the same year as their new singer, but left three years later.

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Extreme - Waiting for the Punchline review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 2023-04-20.
  2. ^ Popoff, Martin (August 1, 2007). The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal: Volume 3: The Nineties. Burlington, Ontario, Canada: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 148. ISBN 978-1-894959-62-9.
  3. ^ a b Christopher Thelen (1998-08-15). "The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Waiting For The Punchline". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
  4. ^ Chuck Eddy (1995-01-27). "Music Review: Waiting for the Punchline - Extreme". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved 2011-08-26.