Acoustic and Electric Versions: A Dynamic Duo
The EP features four versions of “All About Love” - acoustic, electric, hybrid, and live. These diverse interpretations allow music lovers to experience the song in various settings. As captured in Brian Wheat's upstate New York recording studio, the electric version showcases the band's full force, while the stripped-down acoustic versions highlight the dynamics of his mixes. Jeff Keith's heartfelt lyrics about sharing love truly come to life, creating a powerful emotional connection.TESLA's Brian Wheat and Frank Hannon have collaborated to produce this 12-inch vinyl EP, demonstrating their commitment to delivering a unique musical experience. Each version offers a distinct flavor, appealing to fans of different musical preferences.
The electric version brings a raw energy to the song, with powerful guitar riffs and a driving rhythm. It's a testament to the band's ability to translate their live performance onto the recording studio. On the other hand, the acoustic versions offer a more intimate and soulful take, allowing listeners to focus on the lyrics and the essence of the song.
Adding an Instrumental Touch: “From The Heart”
In honor of TESLA's tradition of adding an acoustic instrumental to their love ballads, Frank Hannon recorded a new classically influenced acoustic guitar solo piece titled “From The Heart”. This nod to TESLA's 1987 hit “Love Song” adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the EP.The gentle strumming and intricate melodies of “From The Heart” create a serene atmosphere, providing a contrast to the more energetic tracks on the EP. It showcases Hannon's exceptional guitar skills and his ability to create music that transcends genres.
As an instrumental piece, “From The Heart” allows listeners to immerse themselves in the music without the distraction of lyrics. It serves as a beautiful interlude, adding depth and texture to the overall listening experience.
Live Performances: “Walk Away” and “All About Love”
To present the “live in concert” element of TESLA, a rendition of “All About Love” segues into James Gang's classic song “Walk Away”. Both tracks were recorded live at a Las Vegas concert earlier this year and are included as bonus tracks on the EP.The live performances capture the energy and excitement of a TESLA concert. The band's chemistry is palpable as they bring these songs to life on stage. “Walk Away” adds a touch of nostalgia to the EP, while “All About Love” showcases the band's ability to perform their latest single with the same passion and intensity as their older hits.
The live recordings give fans a glimpse into the band's live shows and the magic that happens when they take the stage. It's a testament to TESLA's enduring popularity and their ability to connect with audiences on a deep level.
Track Listing and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The “All About Love” EP features an impressive track listing:01. All About Love (Electric Mix)02. From The Heart03. All About Love (Acoustic Mix)04. All About Love (Live)05. Walk Away (Live)06. All About Love (Hybrid Mix)Brian Wheat shared his thoughts on the EP in a statement, saying, “We spent six months on ‘All About Love’, and I think we got this one right. Honestly, I’m really, really proud of it. It’s what I think a TESLA fan would expect from TESLA — right down the middle. Jeff sounds great. Frank‘s doing classic guitar licks again.”
During an October 7 appearance on SiriusXM's “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk”, Wheat also mentioned that TESLA has been performing “All About Love” for “probably four or five months, actually. In the old days, we used to record the song and then go play it live. But this time, we played it live and then recorded it.”
Releasing Singles vs. Full-Length Albums
When asked about the release of the “All About Love” EP and the previously released singles “Cold Blue Steel” and “Time To Rock!”, Brian explained that the band is focused on releasing singles rather than a full-length album.He stated, “No, not particularly. Because it takes too much time. Jeff is 65, 66 years old… In order to do an album, it takes so much out of the band — time and energy. And right now, we're all on the same page that we'd rather take that time and energy and go around and play while we're still able to play at the level we play at.”
Frank added, “It's different now. For a band to make an album that's really great, you have to get locked in a room for about a year and really hash it out and argue and make demos. And that's what we did on the first four albums. Now we're creating singles and touring and playing live and getting them out while they're fresh.”
Brian also emphasized the economic aspect, stating, “I'm a statistics guy. And if you wanna get into this, I can go people buying records versus buying tickets. And there are way more people that are buying tickets than are buying records. And they wanna hear all them hits.”
Looking Back at TESLA's Career
TESLA's debut album, 1986's “Mechanical Resonance”, went platinum on the strength of the hits “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi”. The 1989 follow-up album, “The Great Radio Controversy”, produced five hits, including “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)” and “Love Song”, which hit the pop Top Ten.These albums solidified TESLA's place in rock history and established them as a force to be reckoned with. Their music continues to resonate with fans around the world, and the release of the “All About Love” EP is just the latest chapter in their storied career.
Despite some criticism for adopting a 1980s-style polished production for their latest album, “Shock”, TESLA remains true to their roots and continues to create music that fans love. Their latest EP is a testament to their talent and their ability to adapt to changing times.
Recent Releases and Lineup Changes
In September 2023, TESLA released the official music video for their cover of AEROSMITH's “S.O.S. (Too Bad)”. This bonus track on their live album, “Full Throttle Live!”, showcases the band's versatility and their ability to put their own spin on classic songs.The LP includes the band's “Time To Rock!” single, along with other songs recorded in August 2022 at Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, South Dakota. It's a must-have for fans of TESLA and rock music in general.
In September 2021, original TESLA drummer Troy Luccketta announced that he would “take a little time from the road” to spend with family and friends. He has since been replaced at TESLA's gigs by Steve Brown, the younger brother of former DOKKEN drummer Mick Brown. This lineup change has not affected the band's performance or their ability to connect with fans.