Now that his former bandmate, ex-Extreme vocalist Gary Cherone, is firmly ensconced in Van Halenland, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt has a lot of time on his hands. While his solo debut, "Schizophonic," due in stores Feb. 11, has been two years in the making, the timing of this release couldn't be more opportune. Extreme -- and Nuno's considerable talent -- are fresh memories; all he should have to do is pick up his guitar and play.

Rather than delivering the solo-virtuoso record audiences may have expected, Nuno has crafted his new work around more basic guitar structures. He dabbles in every guitar style imginable -- from chunky rock to ambient sitar-esque strumming -- eschewing extended solos and instrumental tracks in favor of vocal-heavy compositions.

The trouble is, Nuno's vocals and lyrics aren't where his talents lie. Sure, he was great harmonizing with Cherone on Extereme's hit "More than Words," but his voice is mediocre on its own. His straightforward lyrics lack insight or depth: "Your arms, your legs, your heart, your soul... My body craves your touch," he sings flaccidly in "Crave."

"2 Weeks In Dizkneelande," awash in dysphonic noise, is little more than a angtsy grunge parody; it's too bad he's not kidding. "Confrontation" attempts to revive the power balladry of the late 1980s, forgetting that the genre died for a reason.

Fortunately, Nuno's ability can be glimpsed on a few tracks. In "Pursuit of Happiness" and "You," he finds a bluesy, acoustic groove that complements his minimalist lyrical approach. (Not incidentally, both tunes were co-written with Cherone.) And "Gravity," slated as the first single, contains a contagious melody and smart instrumental layering.

In his attempt to distance himself from his reputation, Nuno has all but managed to erase the skill that makes him unique. "Schizophonic" sounds uncomfortably like a throwaway record, rather than a performance crafted by one of the best guitarists in rock.

-- Beth Winegarner

This article was originally published in the San Francisco Chronicle.