I will admit
Extreme Behavior was not one of those albums I would have even known about, let alone included here. If it hadn't been for the airplay that the Buzz has given the lead single "Get Stoned" both currently and in preparation for Buzzfest where Hinder was on the bill. Like many highly catchy songs, I can't defend myself for liking a song with a message that so many could find objectionable, but it's just an entertaining song. Having had the chorus to "Get Stoned" in my head one too many times, I decided I would fully investigate the album expecting to find a debris field of bad musical ideas that were salvaged by one song, not only because I've owned a few albums that fit the description but also due to an anti-OKC bias being from around Tulsa.
Like most cases, I was wrong. The songs on
Extreme Behavior are solid from beginning to end. Though "Get Stoned" acts as a hook-filled gateway the real substance of the disc lies beyond. "How Long" continues the disc's one continuous theme of relationships and their consequences. Powered by heavy guitar riffs, it serves as a driving anthem for the irreconcilable. "By the Way", one of my personal favorites, is a slower, more melodic gem. It is very much lyrically driven makes use of change of pace nicely. "Bliss (I don't wanna know)" is a lyrical tale of relationship destruction caused by alcoholism for both perspectives (though maybe unintentionally). The song talks about a recent falling out due to his drinking problem; however, on his side it appears that the alcohol may have driven his personality she fell for to begin with ("I can hardly see what you saw in me because the vodka's running on empty"). The song is in combination with "Better than me" another very successful tempo switch. "Better Than Me" is my favorite song. It continues in the slower, more melodic mode relying predominantly on the the acoustic guitar and powerful lyrics to reflect and address the feelings of inadequacy and poignant memories. "Room 21" is nothing more than a shallow rock star song, but that's why it's enjoyable. The final trio, "Lips of an Angel", "Homecoming Queen", and "Shoulda", follow the same general theme as the rest of the disc without sounding like mere restatement of the first half. "Lips of an Angel" is an interesting concept song acting as an antithesis to the numerous songs, mostly in genres I leave to other people to enjoy, in which the narrator gets caught by a phone call from his present girlfriend. It is very well done though the whole situation may be questionable to some. As always, this is a rock CD not a morality play. "Homecoming Queen" deals with the fall since high school of the homecoming queen as she faces the world outside the school where she is placed on a pedestal.
Overall, this is a surprisingly solid debut. It seems a little short in that there are only 10 songs and about 38 minutes of running time which barely qualifies it as a full-length release. What is there is solidly crafted and very entertaining.
8.25/10
