Waiting for the Punchline

Waiting for the Punchline
Studio album by Extreme
Released	January 19, 1995
Recorded	1994
Genre	Hard Rock,[1] funk metal,[2] alternative rock, grunge[3]
Length	65.35
Label	A&M
Producer	Nuno Bettencourt, Bob St. John
Extreme chronology
III Sides to Every Story (1992) Waiting for the Punchline (1995) Saudades de Rock (2008)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[4]
The Daily Vault	B− [5]
Entertainment Weekly	B− [6]
Q	[7]

Waiting for the Punchline is Extreme's fourth album, which was released in 1995. It is known by fans as a distinctively raw sounding record - especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums - with a significant influence from grunge and alternative rock, while still showcasing guitarist Nuno Bettencourt's talents. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a concept album.^[8] It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer Mike Mangini (on 3 tracks). After the album's tour, the band subsequently disbanded in 1996 when Bettencourt informed Extreme that he was leaving the band to pursue a solo career. After the breakup, singer Gary Cherone also joined Van Halen in the same year as their new singer, but left three years later.

Title

Extreme's previous two albums had contained sequential numbers. Their first album was self-titled, the full title of their second album was Extreme II: Pornograffitti and the third album was called III Sides to Every Story. This practice was seemingly abandoned with the fourth album, but 'for' in 'Waiting for the Punchline' could be interpreted as a pun on 'four'.

Track listing

All songs written by Gary Cherone & Nuno Bettencourt, except "There Is No God", "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" and "Naked" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Pat Badger.

1. "There is No God" - 6:07
2. "Cynical" - 4:41 *
3. "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" - 6:25
4. "Hip Today" - 4:42
5. "Naked" - 5:46
6. "Midnight Express" - 3:58
7. "Leave Me Alone" - 4:47
8. "No Respect" - 3:51
9. "Evilangelist" - 4:49
10. "Shadow Boxing" - 4:34
11. "Unconditionally" - 5:01
12. "Fair-Weather Faith" - 4:49 **
13. "Waiting for the Punchline" - 6:00 ***

* Listed as "Cynical F**k" (official title) in the album liner notes only.

** Not included on US edition.

*** Hidden track. It follows after several seconds of silence.

Credits

• Gary Cherone - lead vocals
• Nuno Bettencourt - guitars, keyboards, backing vocals
• Pat Badger - bass guitar, backing vocals
• Paul Geary - drums on all but "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect"
• Mike Mangini - drums on "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect"

Chart information

Year	Album / Single	Peak Chart Positions
		Billboard 200	UK Albums Chart	US Mainstream Rock	US Modern Rock
1995	Waiting For The Punchline	#40 [9]	-	-	-
	"Hip Today"	-	-	#26 [10]	-

External links

1. Extreme - Waiting For The Punchline (1995) Album Info & Review at Rockpedia.co
2. Extreme - Running Gag (1995) EP Info & Review at Rockpedia.co

References

1. http://www.allmusic.com/album/waiting-for-the-punchline-mw0000122337
2. http://www.discogs.com/Extreme-Waiting-For-The-Punchline/master/293045
3. http://www.forbisthemighty.com/pages/waiting_for_the_punchline.htm
4. Waiting for the Punchline at AllMusic
5. Christopher Thelen (1998-08-15). "The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Waiting For The Punchline". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
6. Chuck Eddy (1995-01-27). "Waiting for the Punchline Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
7. "Extreme - Waiting for the Punchline CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
8. http://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=3807
9. "Extreme Album Chart History". Retrieved 2008-09-03.
10. "Extreme Singles Chart History". Retrieved 2008-09-03.