Customer Reviews

Forever More

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This release has to rank as one of the Best Hard Rock-Heavy Metal albums of the year, hands down!! Tesla has never really dissapointed music fans with any of their albums. Sure, they have released stronger albums compared to some of their others. But, even (Dare I say) their "weaker" releases are top notch, and put up against other 1980's acts...there is no competition what so ever! Tesla is, like many have said here, one of the most underated rock bands of our time, and I say YOU BET THEY ARE! They tour constantly, put out fantastic albums one after another, and place their fans first!!!! I've been A fan since the first album, and have never looked back. I have also seen them twice in concert. First time in October, 1987 warming up for Def Leppard, and in Early, 1989 warming up for Poison. Both times were jaw dropping incredible experiences!!!! The funny thing is, compared to other bands that were around back in the 80's, and are still putting out material, Telsa is head and shoulders above them all! But, you don't hear the hoopla on the radio and with the media like you now get with acts like Bon Jovi. Such A crime!! If you have never heard of Tesla, or your A new fan, BUY THIS ALBUM!! You will love it, from start to finish! It ranks up there with one of their strongest releases. If you already are A fan, then you probably have this, and know what I mean. If you don't own it, you are missing out on an incredible band, and A fantastic bunch of songs. It's not 1986 anymore...it's 2008...and Telsa is STILL blowing the doors off those other 80's bands, and even the new groups!! An A+ album. And congrats to the band, and A huge thank you for once again another incredible album!!

This album is very much an upgrade from their last studio effort (of original material) "Into The Now" IMO. Not much filler to speak of, a few low points, but nothing substantial to ruin a very pleasant hard rock record.

"Forever More" is the opening track, a nice mid tempo perhaps rocker that could have benefitted with a time change at around the 3:10 mark to go more for a uptempo heavier feel, like a type of interlude or bridge time change (not so up on musical terms)...but if you remember how a song like "Shine Away" does this, it really livens up the song, and takes it in a different direction for a brief period, and I love stuff like that. Eventually the song does returns to the original tempo and feel it had before. The break it has there anyway is not bad, but I just thought it might go up a notch right in this section to liven up the song.
"Breakin' Free" is another song that could use this formula at the 3:00 mark to really, really break free and rock out I think. Minor points I think, and perhaps it wouldn't work, just a longtime Tesla fan's perspective on a couple things on the CD.

Other than that, the album to me is very uplifting hard rock in true Tesla form. I'll list my favs in order at the end of the review after quite a few listens, as with any new CD from a fav band...there is a lot to absorb. I am happy to report there is very little that is dull about the album, it has so much life and to me is as valid today as if it had come out 10 years ago, maybe 20 years ago? Still listening to it and after 5, 6 runs through it, it hasn't lost anything, and continues to open doors/thoughts on it, so that says alot. Believe me, if I didn't like it, I would explain why....I already nitpicked about a couple sections in songs, so you know I'm honest about it.

Nice guitar work on the record, does rock out with some nice anthems and like I said positive messages and the typical do it yourself and make yourself the best you can be stuff. Fills and solos on the guitar are featured throughout, and used effectively for the type of hard rock Tesla is known for as well as the mid tempo ballads of this nature also that is their calling card.

The booklet has a nice two page spread of each band member along with a page of notes to the fans about what they have been up to for the past year as well as the feelings going into the record, and of course touring which has been Tesla's strong point, if you haven't seen them Live, you are missing out on a major part of the experience.

Favs:
1. All Of Me - Love this song, straight up rock. Alot of attitude, this is the "All Of Me" Buckcherry wishes they would have recorded IMO.

2. One Day At A Time - Classic Tesla hard rock. Nice GTR work, nice outro GTR work. Crank it.

3. I Wanna Live - First Single. Great rocker with positive message.

4. The First Time - Classic old school Tesla, great message. It is a slightly slower type ballad. Be everything you wanna be, take your chances while you can.

5. Just In Case - Memo to God. In case I don't make it (to heaven), thank you for giving me such a beautiful life anyway. Nice 20 second guitar solo in this one also get's this one in the top 5.

6. So What! - Everyone knows life isn't fair...so what, shut up already, enjoy your life the best you can, and still rock like nobody's business!

7. Forever More - See Above. Nice song, just could use a kicker in the middle parts.

8. Pvt. Ledbetter - Pride in serving your country. Nice song too.

9. The Game- I like this one that closes out the CD, nice feel.

10. Breakin' Free - See Above, close to being a classic...falls just short.
11. In A Hole Again - Rocker, kinda messy, gritty...honest rocker?
12. Fallin' Apart - Okay song for Tesla, but nothing special really.

Being a Tesla fan from the 80's,always look forward to anything new...This was well worth looking forward to.It has the trademark rockers and ballads...Jeff Keith knows how to do it and do it right.Pretty much,Frank Hannon,Brian Wheat,Troy Luccketta and Dave Rude are aboard on this one as well to support Keith.Rude taking Tommy Skeoch's place on this one as well as the last album,"Real To Reel",which was an all covers album.Great BTW...All original lineup pretty much. Forever More,I Wanna Live,So What!,Fallin' Apart,Breakin' Free & Pvt. Ledbetter highlight this strong album.If you enjoyed "Into The Now",Real To Reel" and any of the older Tesla,there is no reason to skip this one...Tesla knows how to rock!!!!! get it now!!!

Forever More is a very good album. After one listen I wanted to give it 4- stars. After listening to Forever More many times over the past few days my opinion has improved. Now, I'd rate FM as 4+ stars.
The similarities in production to Bust a Nut was the first thing that grabbed me. About 1/2 way thru the first listen I thought FM had a similar sound and the same uneven song quality of BaN. However, the second half of the CD is awesome. To be fair, my opinion of the first half has improved significantly with additional listens.
Lyrically FM contains some of Tesla's best stuff (the start of Just in Case not withstanding). Tesla has always had a positive self-reliant outlook. FM is even more so. Songs like So What!, I Wanna Live, The First Time, and a couple others are a refreshing change from the narcissism of most modern rock.
Pvt. Ledbetter is another impressive song. It's not anti-war. Its not pro-war. The song does a remarkable job of just laying out the mixed feelings one has about war (probaby Iraq), and lets the listener draw their own conclusions. For me the song is sad, patriotic and uplifting all at the same time.
I need to mention that In a Hole Again has top notch lyrics.
Sonically FM is a heavier album that most of Tesla's offerings. This is not necessarily due to having more heavy songs (though there are several hard hitters), but due to absence of simple straight ahead acoustic numbers. There are slow songs, but nothing sparsely simple like In a Dream or Love Song.
The highlights for me are many. There are no weak tracks on the album though One Day at a Time and The Game are my least favorite. It's hard to pick only a few standout tracks, but I'll go with So What!, Breakn' Free, PVT Ledbetter, and All of Me as my favorites.

Tesla has to be one of the most under rated rock bands of all time. Anyone who is a true fan of this band knows what i mean. Their music is still relevant, still rocks, and has progressed from where they began. Very few "80's bands" survived and in the case of Tesla; they have not only survived but have put out an awesome new album which if any rock fan gives it a chance will find it enjoyable. Some outstanding tracks include; Forever More, So What, and One Day at a Time; but honestly the whole album is great

It is a crime that Tesla is not the biggest band in the world. With Forever More, Tesla has come full circle with a record that captures the hunger of the first two and the slick production of Psychotix Supper. Gone are the modern sounds of Into the Now. Yet Forever More sounds very 2008. If given a chance, every song could be a hit on rock radio. Forever More will appeal to rock fans all over the spectrum. Metal fans will love the guitar. Classic rock fans will love Jeff Keiths voice. Modern rock fans will love the pop elements. Dave Rude shows he adds to the Tesla sound and his presence makes the band feel like a band again. As great as Skeoch is/was, I think he held Tesla back with his personal demons. No more. Tesla is back and they deserve to be heard. Best songs: I Wanna Live, So What!, The First Time.

This is the highly anticipated studio follow up to the 2004 album Into The Now. Since 2004, Tesla Have been honing their sound on the road and have succesfully put that energy onto this disc. More Dueling guitars and catchy melodies than ever are featured here. My personal favorites are "So What", "Forever More", and "All of Me". These songs are from stop to finish high energy, fast, and the sound that Tesla has not compromised over the years. A highly underated band that got labeled with the "80's Metal" tag, but have risen so far above that. I had the good fortune to see them on this albums tour a few weeks ago, and I must say, incredible to hear this album live also. A must one for new fan, or an old fan.

As I expected, Tesla still has that soulful hard rock thing happening. Although I just receieved this CD this last weekend, I believe it to be right up there with their best. It is nice to hear new music from one of my all time favorite bands. There is something about their music that always sounds genuine and pure. Buy this CD, you won't be disappointed.

Man, Tesla continues to rock! This album is amazing! Jeff Keith's voice still gives me chills! Frank Hannon and the new addition, Dave Rude tear it up! The album continues to rock throughout. There is a great tribute to our troops called PVT. Ledbetter. Some may recognize the song from Tesla's Comin' Atcha Ya Live DVD they released earlier this year. I Wanna Live has also recieved significant radio airplay on classic rock stations. This band is amazing and this album proves that Tesla continues to be among the masters of hard rock!

That's a good start for new Tesla fans. I like every song on this CD. Great to have them back rockin' again. The best of 2008. Rude is a great guitarist so don't worry. See ya at The Stone Pony, Oct. 24