Tesla - The Great Radio Controversy (1989) [FLAC] {Japan UICY-94114}

Tesla - The Great Radio Controversy
{Japan Mini LP SHM-CD UICY-94114}

Part of five-album TESLA SHM-CD Cardboard sleeve (mini LP) reissue series featuring albums "Mechanical Resonance," "The Great Radio Controversy," "Five Man Acoustical Jam," "Psychotic Supper," and "Bast A Nut."


The Great Radio Controversy is the second album by American rock band Tesla, released in 1989. The songs combine 1980s metal with some blues-influenced elements, as well as the occasional love ballad. The record features many two-part counterpoints provided by guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, on both electric and acoustic guitars.

The hit single "Love Song" received considerable MTV airplay and rocketed the band to stardom. Many tracks on this album later received acoustic versions on their follow-up album, Five Man Acoustical Jam, a precursor of the Unplugged trend.

The album is titled after the controversy about the identity of the inventor of radio. It is posed that Serbian engineer Nikola Tesla (whom the band is named after) is the true inventor of radio, while the Italian Guglielmo Marconi took the credit and is widely regarded as having the title. The album's inner sleeve recounts this story.

Released February 1, 1989
Recorded 1988
Bearsville Studios,
New York, USA
Genre Hard rock, Heavy Metal
Length 59:18
Label Geffen Records

Catalog No.UICY-94114
Number of discs 1
Label/Distributor Universal Music
Format CD
Availability Out of Print

Track listing

1. "Hang Tough" (Jeff Keith, Tommy Skeoch, Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat) – 4:21
2. "Lady Luck" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon, Wheat) – 3:39
3. "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)" (Keith, Skeoch) – 4:41
4. "Be a Man" (Keith, Hannon, Skeoch) – 4:20
5. "Lazy Days, Crazy Nights" (Keith, Skeoch) – 4:26
6. "Did It for the Money" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon) – 4:25
7. "Yesterdaze Gone" (Keith, Hannon) – 3:43
8. "Makin' Magic" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon, Wheat) – 5:03
9. "The Way It Is" (Keith, Troy Luccketta, Skeoch, Hannon) – 5:14
10. "Flight to Nowhere" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon, Wheat) – 4:43
11. "Love Song" (Keith, Hannon) – 5:20
12. "Paradise" (Keith, Wheat, Hannon) – 4:59
13. "Party's Over" (Keith, Hannon, Skeoch) – 4:24

Personnel

* Jeff Keith – vocals
* Tommy Skeoch – guitars
* Frank Hannon – guitars, piano, organ
* Brian Wheat – bass
* Troy Luccketta – drums
____________________________________

Review by Steve Huey AllMusic Guide

One of the band's best albums, The Great Radio Controversy retains the typical big-sounding production and anthemic hooks of '80s pop-metal, but Tesla adds a grittier, bluesier edge to their music than most of their peers. As on most of their records, Tesla's songwriting is consistently good but never quite great; however, "Love Song," "The Way It Is," and "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)" are among their best, with melodies and riffs that aren't predictable, cookie-cutter product. The Great Radio Controversy broadens the sound of Mechanical Resonance somewhat with increased use of acoustic instruments, which provides more textural and dynamic contrasts, and the weaker moments are still enlivened by the twin-guitar attack of Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch. All in all, a fine effort.

Tesla - The Great Radio Controversy (1989) [FLAC] {Japan UICY-94114}