Psychotic Supper

1. Change In The Weather.
2. Man Out Of Time Edison's Medicine.
3. Don't De Rock Me.
4. Call It What You Want.
5. Song & Emotion.
6. Time.
7. Government Personnel.
8. Freedom Slaves.
9. Had Enough.
10. What You Give.
11. Stir It Up.
12. Can't Stop.
13. Toke About It.

1991 Geffen Records.

 

PREVIOUS RELEASES BY TESLA:
Mechanical Resonance (1986)
The Great Radio Controversy (1988)
Five Man Acoustical Jam (1990)		 SUBSEQUENT RELEASES BY TESLA:
Bust A Nut (1995)
Times Makin' Changes (1997)

 

Named after the American inventor and pioneer of high-tension electricity, this Sacramento based band bashed out high voltage hard rock that was low on gimmicks and high on hooks, melodies and songs. Tesla were one of a handful of bands of the 80's that let the music do the talking - when did you ever see an exciting photo of this band?? Heck after their debut album 'Mechanical Resonance' they supported Def Leppard on their 'Hysteria' tour and blew them away on many occasions. The band line up doesn't really contain any stars as say bands like Aerosmith with Tyler and Perry, or Guns N Roses with Axl Pose and Slash, instead the Tesla boys worked for each other and boy did they work hard. This was one of a few bands of the 80's to forgoe the glitter and glitz and settled for honest Hard Rock instead. The line up of Jeff Keith (vocals), Tommy Skeoch and Frank Hannon (guitars), Brian Wheat (bass) and Troy Lucketta (drums) created truly great albums with every release.  While this is not their finest hour (that honor goes to 'Mechanical Resonance'), it is a great album that holds a special place in my heart - it was the first album I got on CD format back in 1991, and it is still spun on a very frequent basis.

 

1. CHANGE IN THE WEATHER (3.38)
'Put this in your pipe and smoke it' is the phrase that opens the album, and indeed it is wise to follow the advice, this track creates a very pleasant aroma that lingers in your brain with its good time feel, the track has a bluesy feel with great vocals from Jeff Keith (picture a cross of Steve Tyler, Bon Scott and Joe Elliott rolled into one) 'Were the children of the 60's, watched the 70's go by, now we made it through the 80's, my oh my how time does fly', the solo is full of bluesy wah work that sucks you in while the infectious chorus makes you feel high. 

2. MAN OUT OF TIME EDISON'S MEDICINE (4.46)
Heavy guitar pyrotechnics open the track before a pure power riff, this draws comparisons to Def Leppard, not the modern day Leppard's well polished Rock, rather the earlier albums like 'High N Dry' where the bands metallic gleam shone bright.  The lyrics are pretty odd, telling the story of how Thomas Edison stole one of Nikola Tesla's inventions - still who cares about the lyrics when they sound this good.  The solo sees more Def Leppard dynamics enter the frame (this time Pyromania ones), and it is every bit as good as the Leps, a highlight.

3. DON'T DE ROCK ME (5.11)
This album just keeps on getting better, this is a Hard Rock / Metal tour de force, superb solo's, superb riffs, a rhythm section tighter than Uncle Sam's wallet.  Jeff Keith's sounding really mean 'No time for fucking round with mediocrity, takes everything I got just trying to be me!!'. This is one dangerous track that will grip you by the fly on your pants.  Their is a brief drum solo that is nothing spectacular before one long serious guitar trade off solo, damn good.  While Hannon and Skeoch are flexing their finger fret prowess the groove laid down for them is simply superb. Stunning, still don't get the title though...

4. CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT (4.30)
The single of the album and its exactly that - a catchy mid paced track that while by no means the best track on the album it contains a lot of commercial charm. Jeff sounds relaxed coaxing every emotion out of the words while the chorus is addictive with its clever play on the lyric front. The solo's are restrained and well suited, in fact perfectly radio friendly, an inviting number - 'But now and then and every once in a while, they start treating me like some sort of superstar, need I mention at the end of the day what matters most of all. It's not where you're at, but where you're coming from.  When all is said and done you can Call It What You Want'.

5. SONG & EMOTION - To Our Friend Steve "Steamin" Clark (8.28)
The 'epic' of the album and that word only just covers this track, this is Tesla's 'Stairway To Heaven'. Dedicated to the late Def Leppard guitarist 'Steve Clark', 'Song & Emotion' is quite beautiful and yet heartbreaking. Starting out with an finger picked intro ala the aforementioned 'Stairway', this is a perfect backdrop for Jeff Keith to wring every last drop of emotion out of his voice.  While the lyrics are not a direct reference to Steve, they do sum up the final few years of his life, and what the Tesla boys noticed when they toured with the Leps, 'I see him there most every day, a lonely man and his guitar.  In his eyes I see the pain, all the faces and the places and the trouble that he's seen', this then travels on - ' Then he starts to play, suddenly the pain slowly fades away, tattered torn and frayed, there's a place within his heart he'll always save'. From this you know that while Steve loved being on stage,  he couldn't handle the pressures of the limelight of it, it tore him up inside and ultimately destroyed him. 'Better run for cover, cos it looks like rain again, you best be careful of what you dream', here the band pounds in with an intensity similar to that on 'Comin' Under Fire', their are several lengthy solo's that are reminiscent of Clark at his finest and each one is overflowing with devotion and affection.  The exit coda is extremely similar to the one that cropped up 2 years later on the Def Leppard track 'White Lightning' from 'Adrenalize', overall this track is worth the price of the album alone, and is one of the bands finest compositions.

6. TIME (5.14)
Starting out with clocks ticking and chiming before the riff wakes you up proper. This paves way for a funky riff like the sort of stuff that Extreme churned out, there is some good phrasing from Jeff, that sees a vocal approach like that of Jekyl's Jesse Dupree - southern comfort for sure.  The lyrics see the band taking a dig at politicians and other people (Tipper Gore) who are trying to stamp their authority on what is acceptable music, 'Now listen Mrs Politician, don't ya try to tell me how to sing my song, tell me who do you think you are?, I ain't got no time for messin' round, for funky bullshit going down, No time for that at all!'.  The outro sees a Jazzy Bluesy ending that rounds the track off nicely.

7. GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL (0.58)
A short folky piece that is like a Bob Dylan track, the lyrics are about how politicians are selling off land where the 'buffalo, deer and antelope play' just to make a quick buck - you tell 'em guys.

8. FREEDOM SLAVES (6.40)
A simple bass and drum  figure lets you know that you are in for something special again, well suited guitar parts whisper before a the band comes screaming in.  'Freedom Slaves' is classic Tesla and also classic Hard Rock. This is the kind of track that the band perfected and became their trademark on 'Mechanical Resonance'.  The lyrics are again about government wrong doings, this time in reference to the unjust treatment of the Indian tribes and how they were treated, this is crossed well with conspiracy theories, pollution and how politics is designed with only one person in mind - the leader and all the riches it can bring them, while those who struggle to give others their rewards get no dues or credit.    'I don't what next they'll be killing, Raping the land with pollution and spilling.  Here's to the tired, the hungry, to the helpless and the poor, is there no glory for blisters and soars?'. There are again extended instrumental sections that are top notch while the solo's enforce the lyrics and messages to the point of overload. Another truly excellent highlight.

9. HAD ENOUGH (4.49)
Another knuckle cracking rocker, full of juicy riffs, prime melodies and awesome all round delivery. The track calms down for the verse before the riffs come flying thick and fast once again stronger than a Rocky Balboa uppercut. The solo's again are impressive - full of attitude and great tone.  'Too much to drink, too much to smoke, I wasn't looking when it took a hold of me, and its sure got a hold of me', well this track has sure got a hold of me.

10. WHAT YOU GIVE (7.15)
The first real ballad of the album and the band again pull it all off with such apparent ease.  This is not your usual 80's band ballad, rather this sees a more 'mature' approach that draws comparisons with classic ballads like Zeppelin's 'Thank You' and The Black Crowes' 'She Talks To Angels'.  If there is one thing Tesla sure know how to do it is fine song craftsmanship without the need for flash and over indulgence.  The track builds into the heartfelt chorus, no bold lyrical statements here but that would only ruin the simplicity of the track.

11. STIR IT UP (4.15)
Another comparitably mellow track and yet again Jeff Keith shines, here his voice sounds mean, emotional, dirty and fully credible. If anything I could call this Tesla's version of Aerosmith's 'Amazing', the slightly funky solo section spoils it a bit, but doesn't harm the track too much, the chord progressions are a bit obvious but the band make the best of it, while the end result is not stunning, its not exactly a disappointment either.

12. CAN'T STOP (5.27)
The pace picks up again for a track that wouldn't have been out of place on their second album 'The Great Radio Controversy'. Heavily effected guitars builds the scene with good use of feedback and whammy bar dips, the verse sees the pace kick in before a quite melodic chorus (with some Leppard-ish backing vocals), this frankly sounds a little out of place, but not to a major degree. After the second chorus the track gets into top gear again with some great soloing and rhythms. The third verse sees some more 'odd' lyrics 'Little miss cotton candy still turnin' hearts to stone, candy's fine and dandy, but then sex don't rot your teeth' - ok Jeff.

13. TOKE ABOUT IT (5.24)
A bluesy / funky track that frankly is the worst track on offer, its more of a novelty tune. Its ok in itself but more of a track I would associate with bands like AC/DC or Faster Pussycat, their are a few good riffs here and there and a capable solo but it lacks the quality displayed elsewhere.

 

The first 10 tracks are what Tesla were all about, blinding Hard Rock that is full of credibility, the last 3 songs see this drop off to some degree but not enough to ruin your listening pleasure.  The production is great - open, powerful but still with depth and an air of clarity to it.  The musicianship is perfect for this type of music, no so maybe Hannon and Skeoch are no Yngwie Malmsteen or James Byrd, but they are better than most other guitarist to come out of the 80's, remember this is a band crafted on songs, not virtuosity.  While the rhythm section is as tight as you would want them to be, Jeff Keith is also perfectly able to bash out a tune.

'Psychotic Supper' have most of everything you want, humour tempered by a healthy dose of cynicism, commercialism augmented by great musicianship, eloquence and beauty, and subtle blues pastiche.  This should of been the album that got the Tesla out the second division sales category, still we all know that those who deserve don't always get the riches - right?

The band split one album later (Bust A Nut), but there is talk of a reformation, I for one certainly hopes this happens.

RATING : 8.2

Review by Andy Craven.
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