Waiting for the Punchline
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—especially when compared to the big production of the two previous albums—with a significant influence from grunge. Due to its lyrics focused heavily on social matters (ranging from religion to fame) it is often cited as a concept album.[2] It is also the only Extreme record to feature drummer Mike Mangini (on three 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.
Waiting for the Punchline | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | January 19, 1995 | |||
Recorded | 1994 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 65.35 | |||
Label | A&M | |||
Producer |
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Extreme chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Daily Vault | B−[2] |
Entertainment Weekly | B−[3] |
Q | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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, and "Leave Me Alone" by Gary Cherone, Nuno Bettencourt & Mike Mangini.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "There Is No God" | 6:07 |
2. | "Cynical" (listed as "Cynical Fuck" (official title) in the album liner notes only) | 4:41 |
3. | "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" | 6:25 |
4. | "Hip Today" | 4:42 |
5. | "Naked" | 5:46 |
6. | "Midnight Express" (instrumental) | 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" (not included on US release) | 4:49 |
13. | "Waiting for the Punchline" (hidden track that follows after several seconds of silence) | 6:00 |
Personnel
- Gary Cherone – lead vocals
- Nuno Bettencourt – guitars, keyboards, vocals
- Pat Badger – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Paul Geary – drums
- Mike Mangini – drums on "Hip Today", "Leave Me Alone" and "No Respect"
Charts
Chart (1995) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[5] | 51 |
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[6] | 37 |
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[7] | 30 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[8] | 65 |
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[9] | 13 |
French Albums (SNEP)[10] | 10 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[11] | 46 |
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[12] | 4 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 29 |
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[14] | 24 |
UK Albums (OCC)[15] | 10 |
US Billboard 200[16] | 40 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Japan (RIAJ)[17] | Gold | 100,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
- Waiting for the Punchline at AllMusic
- Christopher Thelen (1998-08-15). "The Daily Vault Music Reviews : Waiting For The Punchline". The Daily Vault. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
- Chuck Eddy (1995-01-27). "Waiting for the Punchline Review". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2011-08-26.
- "Extreme - Waiting for the Punchline CD Album". CD Universe. Retrieved 2013-01-14.
- Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 98.
- "Austriancharts.at – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "Top RPM Albums: Issue 7754". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
- "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – E". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012. Select Extreme from the menu, then press OK.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
- "Swedishcharts.com – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "Swisscharts.com – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline". Hung Medien. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "Billboard 200: Week of February 25, 1995". Billboard. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- "Japanese album certifications – Extreme – Waiting for the Punchline" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved December 27, 2020. Select 1995年2月 on the drop-down menu