Classic Albums – Extreme II – Pornograffitti

“Extreme II: Pornograffiti” – A Guitarist’s Dissection
In a time when hair rock ruled the airwaves, one album broke the mould; released in 1990, Extreme II -Pornograffitti not only placed Boston funk rockers, Extreme at the top of the MTV playlist, but elevated Nuno Bettencourt to true guitar hero status. With guitar riffs exuding swagger and groove, blistering fills and blazing guitar solos which still provide a technical benchmark for rock guitarists more than 30 years later, double platinum Pornograffitti is noted as one of the most influential guitar albums of the 1990s.

Extreme’s 1990 release, “Extreme II: Pornograffiti,” is a pinnacle of guitar prowess with their lead guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt, at the helm. His contribution on this album is monumental, intertwining various guitar techniques, scales, and solos that guitarists will undoubtedly find insightful.

Licklibrary tutor, Sam Bell guides you through this funked-up fairy tale with a guitar course providing the a rare break down of Nuno Bettencourt’s much coveted guitar parts with in-depth tuition. From legendary Decadence Dance and He-Man Woman Hater, to the smash hits Hole Hearted and Get The Funk Out.

Guitar Lesson 1: “Decadence Dance”
Dripping in hard rock decadence, the song opens the album with a galloping rhythm on the low E string. It centers around E Dorian scale for its intense solos, with notable use of alternate picking and slides. Bettencourt employs double-stops in the main riff for a fuller sound and string-bending during solos for emotional emphasis.

Guitar Lesson 2: “Li’l Jack Horny”
This song displays Bettencourt’s mastery of chord progressions, particularly in the pre-chorus. The song uses B minor pentatonic scale, with a searing solo in D Mixolydian mode. Pinched harmonics and vibrato give character to the solo, while palm-muting is used for rhythmic accents in verses.

Guitar Lesson 3: “When I’m President”
This song showcases unique chord progressions with frequent use of open-string riffs. Based around G Major scale, the main riff utilizes syncopated rhythms. The guitar solo in B Mixolydian mode features prominent use of legato and slides.

Guitar Lesson 4: “Get the Funk Out”
A fusion of rock and funk, it’s dominated by E Mixolydian mode. Bettencourt employs hybrid picking in the main riff and demonstrates extensive use of pull-offs and hammer-ons in the fast-paced solo.

Guitar Lesson 5: “More Than Words”
Perhaps the most famous song on the album, this acoustic piece is an exposition in arpeggiated chord progressions and finger-picking. The song is written in G Major scale, and Bettencourt’s use of capo on the second fret adds a unique tonal quality.

Guitar Lesson 6: “Money (In God We Trust)”
A hard-hitting critique of money-centered society, the song combines power chords and palm-muted galloping rhythms. Based around E Phrygian Dominant scale, the solo features a blazing display of alternate picking, sweep picking, and string-bending.

Guitar Lesson 7: “It (‘s a Monster)”
An intricate mix of arpeggios and chord progressions, the song is predominantly in A Mixolydian mode. The guitar solo exhibits double-stop bends and rapid trills, demonstrating Bettencourt’s agility and control.

Guitar Lesson 8: “Pornograffitti”
This instrumental track is an exploration of musical styles and techniques. From the use of harmonics to create an ethereal feel to the incorporation of whammy-bar tricks for sonic effects, Bettencourt truly shines.

Guitar Lesson 9: “When I First Kissed You”
A bluesy ballad primarily in D Major scale, this song showcases Bettencourt’s adeptness at slide guitar. The expressive solo utilizes sustain and bluesy bends for a soulful appeal.

Guitar Lesson 10: “Suzi (Wants Her All Day What?)”
An upbeat number with octave melodies and chord progressions, it combines Dorian and Mixolydian modes. The solo is a flurry of alternate picking, pull-offs, and hammer-ons.

Guitar Lesson 11: “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee”
A testament to Bettencourt’s virtuosity, this instrumental track features extensive use of two-handed tapping, alternate picking, and legato, centered around E Minor scale.

Guitar Lesson 12: “He-Man Woman Hater”
A hard rocker with powerful riffs in E Phrygian mode. The solo involves intricate alternate picking, pre-bends, and tapped harmonics.

Guitar Lesson 13: “Song for Love”
A power ballad primarily in E Major scale, it exhibits clever use of arpeggios and open-string riffs. The solo employs string-bending and vibrato for added expressiveness.

Guitar Lesson 14: “Hole Hearted”
A folk-infused track with rapid finger-picking patterns and Travis picking. Based in E Mixolydian mode, it also incorporates the use of a capo on the second fret.

Nuno Bettencourt’s contribution to this album is immense. His ability to blend an array of guitar techniques and scales is nothing short of remarkable. It’s this blend that makes the album a must-study for any aspiring guitarist. Each song is a lesson in itself, illuminating a new aspect of guitar-playing.

Techniques used in the album
Vibrato / Alternate Picking / Legato / Tapped Harmonics / Double-Stop Bends / Pinched Harmonics / Trills / Chord Progressions / Arpeggios / Pull-offs / Power Chords / Palm Muting / Two-Handed Tapping / Sweep Picking / Finger-Picking / Hybrid Picking / Pre-Bends / Hammer-Ons / Double-Stops / Slides / Sustain / String-Bending

NB: PERFORMANCE FOOTAGE NOT INCLUDED WITH THIS COURSE