I
have been a loyal Tesla fan ever since they first arrived on the
music scene back in 1986. From the first moment that I heard them, I
was hooked! Even after all these years, they still remain at the top
of my musical list. In my opinion, they have everything a great rock
band should: a rock-solid rhythm section, stellar guitarists whose
hearts are in every note they play, and gritty down-to-earth vocals
that are filled with raw emotion. They are one of those rare bands
that possess the natural chemistry to produce some truly magical
results musically. From my point of view, Tesla can always be
depended upon to consistently deliver quality songs that are
interesting and break new ground, while still remaining true to their
rock & roll roots.
For
me, each new album is cause for celebration; so naturally, it goes
without saying that I was overjoyed about the arrival of this album. I purchased “Forever More” on the day of its release, and it
didn't leave my CD player for the next three months! Clocking in at
just under 51 minutes, “Forever More” is a triumph, containing 12
tracks that are sure to be future classics. If I had to compare it to
any of their past work, I would have to say that this is an expansion
of the sound that began with 2003's “Into The Now.” This record
sort of picks up where that one left off, further exploring that
sonic territory. True, this is a slightly different sound for Tesla,
but it will still rock your socks off!
This
album is truly phenomenal in every aspect. Drummer Troy Luccketta and
Bassist Brian Wheat are an unstoppable team, giving the rest of the
band an unshakable foundation upon which to build. Frank Hannon
shines throughout the entire album. His rhythm playing is solid. His
solos are full of energy without ever feeling forced, and they are
all flawlessly executed. In my opinion, one of the things that makes
Frank such a great player is that his playing is never
self-indulgent. His musical statements are always exciting, with just
the right amount of flash. He never over-plays in an egotistical
attempt to impress the listener with the level of his technical
ability, which is something that many rock guitarists have been
guilty of over the years. Instead, his focus always remains on
complementing the song. Also on the guitar front, I must take a
moment to give credit where credit is due. I have to give a nod to
new Tesla member, Dave Rude, who does extremely admirable job of
filling former axe man Tommy Skeoch's rather large shoes. You rock,
dude!
Another
thing that you will notice throughout this CD is the great lyrical
content, and some absolutely mind-blowing vocals by Jeff Keith. Jeff
has always had this wonderful ability to write very positive and
uplifting lyrics without sounding sappy. He definitely proves that
you don't have to be dark and depressing all the time to rock like
crazy! His passionate singing really enhances the positive vibe
contained in the words, without ever losing that rock & roll
bite! I have to say that I admire him greatly for this.
OK...now,
let's move on to the songs. The adventure begins
with the title track. “Forever More” is a heavy song with thickly
layered, very heavy guitars, interspersed with beautiful acoustic
sections throughout the tune. There are several points of interest in
the track that should be brought to the listener's attention. The
first thing that struck me was that the song was perfectly mixed. In
the opening riff, there is an acoustic guitar doubling the electric
perfectly. It adds a great touch of texture to the electric part
without detracting from it. Another noteworthy attribute here is the
sixteenth note melody played by a third guitar in the second half of
each verse. It is an interesting touch that helps to keep things
moving smoothly into the chorus. A similar sixteenth note riff can
also be found in the bridge of the song, culminating in a beautiful
acoustic section at the end of the bridge, which provides a suitable
launching pad for the guitar solo and the final repeats of the
chorus.
Next
comes the album's first single, “I Wanna Live.” This song is a
feel good, high-energy rocker that will have you on your feet playing
air-guitar within seconds. This song is truly a three-and-a-half
minute party! The track boasts some fine drum technique from Troy,
and a great lyric that urges the listener to live every moment of
life to the fullest. As a side note, I would also like to add that
the song has a killer video; hop over to you tube and check it out if
you get the time; you won't be sorry!
The
third track, “One Day At A Time,” is another up-tempo rock tune
about getting through the sleepless nights and stress of a breakup. The track does a very nice job of keeping the momentum going. This
one definitely cooks. At times, it tends to sound a bit chaotic, but
just when you think they're going to send you over the cliff, they
reel you back in...and just in the nick of time! We have more great
drumming here, as well as a ten ton solo by Frank, which, as usual,
fits the song perfectly. And of course, a song like this would never
be complete without a pounding bass on the bottom end, and Brian
Wheat doesn't disappoint; he really goes for the throat here, just as
he also does on the previous track. On top of this, Jeff's
unmistakable rasp is in fine form as he wails about trying to keep a
grip on his slipping sanity, singing: “One day at a time, no
mountain to climb - But sometimes it don't come easy – One day at a
time, or I'll lose my mind – That's all I can do, believe me.”
After
the frantic pace of the previous two songs, “So What” offers the
listener something a little different. The song is still heavy, but
at a slightly slower tempo, and with a very different mood. The thing
that I love most about this tune is the sharp contrast between the
verses and the chorus. The intro and choruses are heavy, with a
wah-wah tone on the guitars that adds just the tiniest bit of a funk
flavor, while the verses are a little more laid back. I love songs
that are structured in this way. In my opinion, it shows the band's
versatility. This song also features one of my favorite lyrics on the
album; its about realizing that we all sometimes have bad things to
face in life, but complaining about it won't fix it. It basically
reminds us that you get back what you give out in life, so if you
want to receive good vibes, then give out good vibes! Again, Jeff's
vocal is heartfelt, and really gets the message across; all of the
parts are top notch.
The
next two songs continue in a similar vein, striking a nice balance
between the heavy and the melodic. First is “Just In Case.” The
guitar tones here are perfect; distorted just enough to be heavy
without being overbearing. As always, Frank's sense of melody is
impeccable; his playing ranges in mood from happy, lively and
exciting, to expressing the perfect amount of shadow when that is
appropriate. And Jeff's great lyric about giving thanks for the
beauty in your life really tugs at the emotions! This is followed by
“Falling Apart,” which really has a great sort of seventies, FM
radio feel to its verse section and intro. Both are great songs,
which again contain that wonderful verse-to-chorus shift in mood.
These
songs are followed by “Breaking Free,” a tune about extracting
yourself from a nightmarish relationship. The tension in the opening,
as well as that of the main melody against the rhythm guitar in the
verse is the perfect complement to Jeff's “stressed-to-the-limit”
lyric and performance. This is a case where music and lyric merge to
perfectly express the desperation of anyone who has ever found
themselves in a similar situation! This is yet another great tune
that I am sure many will be able to relate to!
Now
we come to the very manic sounding “All Of Me.” Maybe this is
just me, but I am hearing a slight punk rock influence here;
different for Tesla, but still very cool. This is a unique tune that
is different from anything else on the record, but in spite of its
differences, it still fits into the scheme of things perfectly; it
doesn't sound out of place in the least. Also, the song features
another universally experienced lyric about being taken to the
cleaners by a significant other (or an ex after a breakup).
“The
First Time,” is one of those tunes that will leave you feeling
capable of anything, no matter how difficult. Yes, it contains
another of Jeff's patented lyrics that I have previously described.
The music is great all around, with a catchy chorus that is sure to
get stuck in your head and keep repeating to the point of madness! “Be everything you want to be – you're extraordinary...”
Although heavy, it has a feel good, almost pop vibe to it! Another
A-plus for this one.
Up
next, is the tear-jerker in the bunch. “PVT Ledbetter” is a
touching, and very sad tribute to those who defend our freedom. In
it, a family waits for a letter that never comes from their loved one
overseas...that is until they receive the awful and unfeeling form
letter that comes from casualty. If the subject alone is not enough
to move you, Jeff' soulful performance will. Trust me, it would bring
tears to a glass eye, so be prepared for that...you have been warned!
The
remaining two tracks, “In A Hole Again,” and “The Game,” both
have something unique to offer as well. The latter contains one of my
favorite guitar melodies. Again, very heavy with the wah-wah laden
intro and choruses, while the former is a slightly darker tune about
the secrets that we all carry with us. In both cases, everything
comes together to make the perfect musical statements that Tesla are
known for. Both tunes seem a fitting way to bring the festivities to
a close!
So
in conclusion, I will just say that this is one album that you simply
must experience for yourself. One listen to this CD should make it
clear to everyone why Tesla's fans are so rabidly loyal. They are a
band that always produces well written songs that are heartfelt and
performed with exacting precision, and are always willing to
experiment and explore, but without ever losing their connection to
where they came from. A rock fan just couldn't ask for anything more. Take my advice; go out and get this one now! I
guarantee it will be the best fifteen dollars that you've ever spent! I can tell you that the hours that I have spent listening to this
record over and over have given me a joy that is beyond price!
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