TESLA
Mechanical Resonance
Geffen (1986)
Rating: 9.3/10
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This is the latest sensation to hit the hard rock / heavy metal scene from the States and brought to you courtesy of Peter Mensch and, no doubt, John Kalodner too.
Released in the States December 1st, Tesla’s debut album is a must for all US hard rock fans. With a line-up of Geoff Keith (vocals), Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch (guitars), Brian Wheat (bass) and Troy Luccketta (drums), the band have copped a Van Halen riff or three and whisked it up with such diverse influences as Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, Free and maybe even Ratt to produce, believe me, one of this year’s best releases and an album that’s being raved about in high places!
Highlights? There are plenty. Possibly the best track is ‘Cover Queen’, a Van Halenized axe-induced paean to the girls who adorn the front of Penthouse, Mayfair or uh, Color Climax, ha! Then there’s always the storming ‘Cumin’ Atcha Live’ or ‘Before My Eyes’, which has a really weird middle section where Hannon and Skeoch come across sounding as if they’re in Siouxsie And The Banshees!
But note must be made of the classic ‘Rock Me To The Top’; a mark of genius as a two-fingered salute to those dickheads who are trying to turn rock into a four-letter expletive. The song, by the way, is slightly similar to Aviator’s heavier moments, although, of course, even heavier.
I don’t have the space to go into any more detail about Tesla’s debut, but it’s a very, very good album and, rest assured, this won’t be the last you’ll hear of ’em!
Dave Reynolds
Review taken from Metal Forces, Issue 20 (1986)
