III Sides to Every Story cover

III Sides to Every Story

Extreme · 1992

76 min · 14 tracks · hard rock

A complex blend of funk metal and hard rock showcasing intricate arrangements and thought-provoking lyrics.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Warheads Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Rest in Peace — As one of the album's most commercially successful tracks, it marries melodic hooks with a message about mortality, encapsulating the band's ability to blend hard rock with deeper themes.
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    Politicalamity — This track stands out for its sharp critique of societal issues delivered through an engaging funk metal rhythm, showcasing Extreme's knack for blending serious topics with catchy music.
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    Everything Under the Sun: II. Am I Ever Gonna Change — This segment of the ambitious three-part suite highlights reflective lyrics over intricate instrumentation, embodying the album's exploration of personal growth and societal change.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate arrangements with thought-provoking lyrics, marking a solid evolution in Extreme's sound.

What we noticed

  • Several songs incorporate spoken word elements and layered harmonies, adding depth to the lyrical content and overall arrangement.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic emotional journeys
  • long immersive listening sessions
  • wave-like pacing and intensity
  • thought-provoking lyrical content

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Features a deliberate departure in sound and structure, showcasing diverse musical influences.
Themes
mortality contemplation· societal critique· personal transformation
Career context
Released in 1992, III Sides to Every Story marked Extreme's third studio album, following their successful breakout with Pornograffitti. At this point, the band was solidifying their unique sound, moving beyond commercial glam metal into more ambitious conceptual territory.
Stylistic neighbors
Mr. Big· Faith No More· Racer X

Tracklist

  • 1 Warheads Start here 5:18
  • 2 Rest in Peace 6:01
  • 3 Politicalamity 5:04
  • 4 Color Me Blind 5:00
  • 5 Cupid’s Dead 5:56
  • 6 Peacemaker Die 6:03
  • 7 Seven Sundays 4:18
  • 8 Tragic Comic 4:44
  • 9 Our Father 4:02
  • 10 Stop the World 5:57
  • 11 God Isn’t Dead? 2:02
  • 12 Everything Under the Sun: I. Rise ’n Shine 6:22
  • 13 Everything Under the Sun: II. Am I Ever Gonna Change 6:56
  • 14 Everything Under the Sun: III. Who Cares? 8:19

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata