What makes Decadence Dance by Extreme notable?

This album is significant for its crossover appeal, particularly with the track More Than Words, which became a massive acoustic hit and helped popularize the band beyond the hard rock audience. The album received positive critical reception, solidifying Extreme's place in early '90s rock culture. Decadence Dance marked Extreme's second studio album, following their self-titled debut in 1989. The band was still establishing their identity in the burgeoning funk metal scene, aiming to capitalize on their breakthrough success and garner broader recognition.

How many songs are on Decadence Dance?

Decadence Dance has 4 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Decadence Dance

Extreme · 1990

19 min · 4 tracks · hard rock

Funky grooves intertwine with hard rock riffs, showcasing a playful yet powerful blend of styles that defines the era.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Decadence Dance — The title track encapsulates the band's signature sound, blending funk rhythms with hard rock energy and showcasing their virtuosic musicianship.
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Money (In God We Trust) — This track features biting social commentary wrapped in an infectious groove, highlighting the band's ability to fuse serious themes with catchy melodies.
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More Than Words (acappella with Congos) — Offering a stark contrast to the rest of the album, this track showcases Extreme's vocal harmony prowess and emotional depth, becoming a defining moment in their career.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single blends hard rock and funk elements effectively but lacks cohesion due to its varied styles.

What we noticed

The first track features a prominent bass line that drives the rhythm, while the guitar riffs interlock with funk-inspired grooves.
The second track introduces a more aggressive tone with heavier guitar work and faster tempos, contrasting with the playful nature of the first.
The acappella version of 'More Than Words' showcases vocal harmonies without instrumental backing, highlighting the band's versatility.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — This album helped establish Extreme's reputation with crossover appeal.
Themes: 1990s glam excess· social critique· funk metal fusion
Career context: Decadence Dance marked Extreme's second studio album, following their self-titled debut in 1989. The band was still establishing their identity in the burgeoning funk metal scene, aiming to capitalize on their breakthrough success and garner broader recognition.
Stylistic neighbors: Mr. Big· Faith No More· Racer X