Artist: Tesla

Album: “Real to Reel”

Label: Tesla Electric Co.

Release: June 5, 2007

Availability: CD, iTunes

The band, named after famed electrical engineer Nikola Tesla, has released their sixth album “Real to Reel.” Tesla is an ’80s hair metal band that didn’t receive much attention until they reinvented themselves during the “MTV: Unplugged” craze with their album “Five Man Acoustical Jam.” “Real to Reel” is a cover album featuring songs by Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and others.

A cover album usually isn’t my favorite direction for a band, no matter how old they are. Nevertheless, “Real to Reel” does have some gems on it. “Bad Reputation” (originally by Thin Lizzy), “Honky Tonk Women” (originally by the Rolling Stones) and “I’ve Got A Feeling” (originally done by the Beatles) all stand out, even for covers. However, “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath was not included since it was covered superbly in one of Tesla’s live shows. While the album features more of Jeff Keith’s rugged vocal styles and Frank Hannon’s signature guitar fills and solos, nothing seems to stand out. Hardcore Tesla fans will find this record entertaining, but newcomers to Tesla should discover them on one of their previous albums – “Into the Now” and “Mechanical Resonance” being the standouts.