ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 150 TESLA - INTO THE NOW (2004)

[RJhog (Admin)]

Artist: Tesla

Genre: Hard Rock

Country Of Origin: U.S.

Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Member: No

Album: Into The Now

Released: March 9, 2004

Producer: Tesla/Michael Rosen/Roger Sommers

Best Songs: Look @ Me/What A Shame/Heaven Nine Eleven/Miles Away/Recognize/Only You

Song Of The Week: Heaven Nine Eleven

This week we continue with the ongoing series looking at classic artists and their albums released since 2000.  Tesla regrouped to release Into The Now in 2004.  Two things you can count on Tesla to bring to the table are superior guitar work and the unique sound of Jeff Keith's vocals.  This album has both of those things.  Here are a few odds and ends:

• Into The Now peaked at no. 31 on the Billboard Charts (Wikipedia).
• This was Tesla's first release since Bust A Nut in 1994.
• Since this release, Tesla has released 4 covers albums and one of original material (Forever More in 2008).
• Into The Now does have all five original members present.
• I'm pretty sure that the song Heaven Nine Eleven is about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Overall, I consider this a very good album.  Especially for a band that's been around since the mid 80's.  The only place it really bogs down a bit for me is from track 8 to track 10.  It's not like those are terrible songs, I just seem to lose focus right about there.  But they get it rectified on the last two tracks, with the closer being a fantastic song.

1. Into The Now

2. Look @Me

3. What A Shame

4. Heaven Nine Eleven

5. Words Can't Explain

6. Caught In A Dream

7. Miles Away

8. Mighty Mouse

9. Got No Glory

10. Come To Me

11. Recognize

12. Only You

[Gordon Williams]

I was watching my live Tesla DVD last weekend. I've said this before (I say that a lot), but I'll say it again. When Tesla did/does "No Way Out (Heaven's Trail)" and "Mama's Fool" back to back, it has to be one of the greatest concert "moments" I've seen or heard.

And "Bust A Nut" has really grown on me over the years. Some other stand-out tracks, including "Need Your Lovin' " , "She Want She Want", "Solution", and "Earthmover".

In fact "She Want She Want" could be every divorced man's "battle cry"!

[Jon]

Funny thing, I kinda got turned off by Tesla when that acoustic album hit. Year later I picked up the greatest hits CD and heard that "Mama" song and was blown away, so I picked up "Bust A Nut" and loved it. The next one I purchased was this one and absolutely love it.