Yes, I’m referring to the album
Track listing…
- Ez Come Ez Go
- Cumin’ Atcha Live
- Gettin’ Better
- 2 Late 4 Love
- Rock Me To The Top
- We’re No Good Together
- Modern Day Cowboy
- Changes
- Little Suzi
- Love Me
- Cover Queen
- Before My Eyes
“Tesla? The vehicle?” No bro, the band. Remember when Tesla was literally just mastermind Nikola Tesla? Yeah, me neither, I wasn’t alive. After Nikola though came hard rock outfit and namesake, Tesla. Although I still wasn’t alive, this is one I can discuss.
Tesla released their debut album Mechanical Resonance on December 8th, 1986. Quite the fitting timeline I’d say, granted Poison and Cinderella both debuted the same year. Although delving away from the “glam” image, Tesla still made a splash, with Mechanical Resonance peaking at 32 on the Billboard 200 on April 3rd of 1987.
Now, before we even mention ranking and rating this absolute banger of an album, this is going to be indescribably difficult. I ask whoever may be reading to please understand that there are simply no weak or bad songs on this album. Like at all. Yes I may be biased. No I do not care. Thank you Tesla for an unforgettable debut album that can still be blasted 30+ years later and still sound as fresh as the day it was released.
You may be asking, “Aub, why now? Why in this moment have you decided to talk about Mechanical Resonance?” Ok, maybe you aren’t asking, but you might be wondering! And to be quite honest, I’m not sure, all I know is that I listened to the cassette a week or two ago and remembered that I can sit through the whole thing without skipping any songs and or being bored. Thus, I was reminded of Mechanical Resonance’s badass-ness and pure rock n’ roll build.
Now, enough rambling. Ladies and gentlemen, Aub takes on Mechanical Resonance!
Ez Come Ez Go starts off this masterpiece of an album. Three words; that bass line. Brian Wheat, everyone! This song definitely sets an interesting vibe for what you’re about to hear throughout this record. The intro to this song alone is very powerful, with personnel with the likes of guitarists Frank Hannon + Tommy Skeoch, drummer Troy Luccketta, vocalist Jeff Keith and as aforementioned bassist, Brian Wheat. Ez Come Ez Go keeps you wrapped up in it, with speeding up the pace, to slowing it back down, it’s safe to say you won’t be able to tell what’s coming. I will say though, the chorus of this song is incredible and totally raw. Jeff Keith just has the voice. You can’t miss it. Frank absolutely demolishes the guitar parts on this album, as does Tommy, which we’ll get more into. Anyways, this is a very strong start to the album I would say. Very in your face, very unpredictable yet cohesive. I love it, as do I all the other songs here.
Cumin’ Atcha Live has you in its grasp from the second you hear that guitar wail. The beginning to this song is something out of a rock n’ roll fantasy. Then Troy comes in, kicks us right into the first verse. Jeff, I mean you’ve just gotta hand it to him, the man could sing circles around some of the cats today. I truly think this song is very fun. It’s very gritty, and has excellent playing from all the guys. My beloved mother has seen and even met the Tesla guys multiple times and says they always start their concerts with this tune. As they should! Anyways, getting a bit distracted here. The entirety of 3:07 to 3:31 is what rock dreams are made of. True guitar playing, while all the while having fun with it. Tommy and Frank, hey what did I say? They kill it on this record through and through. No doubts about it. Overall, this song took a bit to grow on me but I’m glad it did, for as it’s incredibly catchy.
Gettin’ Better is just ridiculously good. You listen to the first half and you think wow, Jeff Keith is here to pull on my heart strings, ok I guess. Until, the 1:07 mark hits and holy shit what is this?? An upbeat song?? Yes. You’ve been swindled. Been there. And I’m not mad about it! Gettin’ Better is a top tier feel good song. One where the lyrics are so very genuine and catchy all at once. I think it’s a perfect addition to this album and one that fits very nicely in the third track spot. I’m not sure who came up with that absolute banger of an idea with the slow intro but it works beautifully. And per usual, the guitar playing here. Just amazing. Not much to comment on except for that drastic switch around the 1:07 mark. True 80s rock stuff.
2 Late 4 Love … guys. See those dots? It’s simply because this song always leaves me speechless. Switching to my airpods as I type this to blare this song even louder. Exactly how it deserves to be played. Brian starts this song off phenomenally with a very simplistic bass line. Then those guitars come in and it’s like you’ve been transported to rock n’ roll heaven. Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch truly gave this album their all. Then Jeff??? Coming in with those vocals??? There is simply nothing I love more than a vocalist coming in with passion, and passion you can sure as hell hear on this tune! 2 Late 4 Love is easily one of the best songs on this entire album, if not the best. I’m blown away at the fact that it wasn’t released as a single. There has to be a logical reason because good lord, this is an incredible one from these guys. Each verse delivered on this song is packed with such intensity and drive. That’s something I love about Jeff Keith, the devotion he puts into his singing. Clearly, you can tell I believe this is a very solid and strong link to this album and one I believe stands the test of time.
Rock Me To The Top takes the 5th spot on this album. I remember not liking this one specifically when originally getting into the depths of Mechanical Resonance, although I can say now it’s grown on me and I do enjoy it. I often find myself forgetting how much fun the verses of this song are, very steadily paced and of course, with great vocals from our beloved Jeff. Once again, the personnel of this album absolutely kill it. Tesla is an incredibly strong band, writing, playing and performing wise. Those key components continue to show throughout the album and their later works. Not painfully much to say here on this tune, just that it’s another great rock n’ roll jam with a very tasty riff. Also love the “L U V, luv!” From Jeff at the end. Just thought I’d point that out for no reason.
We’re No Good Together shows us an entirely new side to Tesla and this album overall. Taking the sixth slot on the album, it’s pretty much a reversed version of Gettin’ Better except the lyrics to this one are entirely different. Frontman Jeff Keith once again takes us on a journey, this time being one of a relationship to where it’s not working out, but he wants her to know she’s irreplaceable. This song is actually pretty sad, when really feeling the lyrics. It gives a great insight into what Tesla can do with a ballad, and I think it’s pretty damn good. The very slow paced vibe of this song really sets the tone. Even more with those little guitar notes being dropped sporadically. But, in true Tesla fashion, just when you think you know what they’re doing, you don’t. Because around the 3:36 mark, the pace picks up and all of a sudden it’s a totally different vibe here! Not complaining, if anyone can switch around a song, it’s Tesla and it’s this album for sure.
Modern Day Cowboy now now you knew it was coming. Tesla’s beloved big hit! And with good reason, this song rocks indescribably hard. I’d like to think Tesla agreed, granted this was their first single off the album! Now, I don’t wanna be this blog but there’s pretty much nothing to pick apart on this here tune. True 80s rock perfection. Although I would like to separately highlight, once again, the damn PERSONNEL! It’s the way that every song here continues to level up with the musicality thanks to just how talented the Tesla guys are. The guitar solo here? Just ridiculous. RidiculousLY GOOD. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over Frank Hannon. Ever. The vocals, the playing, the composition. This entire song packs a MASSIVE punch that leaves you wondering why Tesla wasn’t even bigger than they were. Once again I would like to thank Mechanical Resonance for simply existing because it is a true work of art in its entirety. And Modern Day Cowboy proves that indefinitely.
Changes automatically catches your attention with that riff. Starting off slow, then building up into something much bigger. The verses slow whilst forming into a truly addictive chorus. There’s just something about Jeff Keith’s vocals over the guitar playing on this album. Also can’t leave out how hard the groove is coming from Troy and Brian. True rhythm section guys. I don’t have much to say for this song specifically here except for the fact that the musicality is top notch and on point throughout the whole thing, plus the chorus being entirely too catchy.
Little Suzi although not originally their song and by some other band that probably never saw the light of day, Tesla takes this one and completely bodies it. From that beautiful acoustic intro to those few bass notes Brian plays in the beginning, this one is super fun and an overall refreshing tune. Once again you’ve gotta hand it to the personnel and the overall chemistry Tesla emits. Not terribly much to say here except that the guitar playing is absolutely superb.
Love Me has always been a top favorite of mine from this album. Tell me you wouldn’t absolutely party to this some late summer night because I just know you would. This song is just so much fun, legitimately. The way Tesla sifts through styles on this album does not fail to amaze me one bit. Love the overall beat of this tune and can say that Troy’s drumming here is some of my favorite off the record. As is Brian’s playing! Such an underrated bassist of the era. As per usual, I thoroughly enjoy this one and think it’s a good addition to the record.
Cover Queen is what groupie dreams are made of. A very smooth intro starts us off and you can just tell you’re in for something good. The composition of this song overall is nothing short of perfection. Jeff absolutely lays it down here with vocals only one could dream of. And the girl he’s talking about? Cover Queen paints a beautiful picture and one I’m sure many would kill to be. Things to highlight here are definitely 1. The bass playing from mister Wheat. 2. The many tricks Frank Hannon is pulling here, truly a trick to the ear but a delight to hear nonetheless. 3. The story we’re being told I think is one of the strongest and most vivid of the album along with the likes of Modern Day Cowboy and We’re No Good Together. I also believe this song showcases lots of diversity from Jeff, hitting notes you may not even have known existed and twisting his voice into ways you could only imagine. This is a very strong addition to the album and one I thoroughly enjoy.
Before My Eyes is interesting to say the least and kind of lengthy coming in at over 5 minutes. But for good reason, the instrumentals here are simply next level. Plus the vocals, per usual, are already pulling you in. Thank you, Jeff, much appreciated. Before My Eyes really rounds off this album in a strange tone, being longer than the rest and a different, slower composition. I’m not sure it’s necessarily the strongest link here but it’s not weak in any sense either. If you’re looking for a guitar based tune off this record, this is the one. Mixed with some groove from Brian, the very long instrumental solo-ish part from this song will have you wondering when the next verse is. Never fear, for as it rolls around at around the 4:01 mark. The lyrics are a bit.. absent but overall, this is still a solid tune and very strong instrumental wise.
Here’s how’d I rank it..
- 2 Late 4 Love
- Love Me
- Modern Day Cowboy
- Gettin’ Better
- Ez Come Ez Go
- Changes
- Cover Queen
- Little Suzi
- We’re No Good Together
- Cumin’ Atcha Live
- Rock Me To The Top
- Before My Eyes
Well folks, that’ll do it. Aub takes on Mechanical Resonance! And that I did. As always, be kind to one another. Peace and love, Aub.
