ARTIST: Tesla
ALBUM: Twisted Wires and Acoustic Sessions
LABEL: Tesla Electric Company Recordings
RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2011
A New Spark
Photo by Ross Halfin
Written by Katie J. Norris
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Tesla: the t-shirt-wearing, long-hair swaying, acoustic, heavy metal band extraordinaire. The bay area rock group was made popular in the ’80s by hit songs “Love Song” and “Signs.” In their heyday, Tesla played amongst other glam bands of the generation: Def Leppard, David Lee Roth, Poison, etc. Tesla was always known to put on great live show; a full on passionate performance. Another shining moment of their career was their unplugged album Five Man Acoustical Jam, released in 1990, which started the movement for releasing acoustic versions of rock songs—now a path taken by almost every rock band out there.
Twisted Wires & the Acoustic Sessions is another grand acoustic release by the band that set the style in motion. The album is half a compilation of their lesser known rock songs reworked and recorded acoustically, including “Edisons Machine,” “Song and Emotion” and “Into the Now.” Six of the tracks were recorded at bassist Brian Wheat’s studio in 2005. These are also the last recordings with guitarist Tommy Skeoch before he officially left the band. Other than the Dave Rude replacing Skeoch, the band remains a tight group which is probably why they are able to span such a lengthy career and why their songs have so much heart. It doesn’t hurt that they are strong musicians in their own right as well. Evidence of this can be found in some of the impressive instrument solos throughout the album. There are two new songs on Twisted Wires, “2nd Street” and “Better Off Without You.” Both are catchy tunes that fall into the band’s classic, trademarked sound while fitting in quite nicely with today’s music. Not only that, but they are probably the two best songs on the album, proving Tesla’s songwriting skills are strong as they always strive to improve. Jeff Keith’s vocals haven’t changed much at all in 25 years, giving this album another chance to become a gem for all loyal Tesla fans. With the right advertising, I don’t see a problem with Twisted Wires finding a new generation of listeners as well.
To celebrate the bands’ 25th anniversary, Tesla is currently on tour and promoting their new album. With rave reviews already filing in about their strong performances, it would be a summer highlight to catch them live. Tour dates, music, blogs, videos, and much, much more can be found on their website: http://teslatheband.com/teslatheband