Tesla – All About Love (EP Review)

Many bands were lumped in with the lazily labeled ‘Hair Metal’ during the 1980s, and this is simply unfair. In truth, many Hard Rock and Metal bands from the ‘80s era were highly talented and capable of writing memorable songs far beyond the current styles or fashion trends.

One of those who fit this description is Tesla, who bumped around the earlier part of the ‘80s under the name City Kidd before breaking it back in 1986 as Tesla with their debut album Mechanical Resonance. An album that featured big Rock hits like “Modern Day Cowboy” and “Little Suzi,” by the time 1989’s The Great Radio Controversy arrived, Tesla was continuing to make noise with hits like “Hang Tough” and “Love Song.”

With each of their first three albums going platinum, Telsa weathered the ‘90s with strong efforts before a break between 1996 and 2000. Firing on all cycles since, Telsa continues to tour, record new music (their last studio album is 2019’s Shock), and find new ways to keep things interesting. In fact, in 2023, they released a fantastic live album called Full Throttle Live, and now, in 2024, they return with a new EP.

Released independently by Tesla on November 29, 2024, the EP called All About Love is available digitally or as a special edition release on limited collector’s 12″ vinyl and is led by the new single of the same name. Consisting of six songs in total, Telsa offers you the single as an electric mix, an acoustic mix, a hybrid mix of both, and a live mix. It is cool because you get to hear the song with different textures; however, the heartfelt message stands out most boldly.

Like all of us, Tesla has been worn thin by the division, fighting, and hatred surrounding the world. With that in mind, they turned within and craved a song that exemplifies the true essence of what bonds us… love. In “All About Love,” you can feel a genuine call for change by Telsa to unite the world and remind everyone that music will always be a common ground.

Hopeful and catchy, “All About Love” is also everything you would expect from Tesla, who sounds as great as ever. Beyond the different versions of the single, the EP also features an instrumental acoustic guitar solo piece titled “From The Heart” by Guitarist Frank Hannon, inspired by the aforementioned “Love Song.” It is beautiful and worth listening to, but it is accompanied by a live version of the James Gang song “Walk Away.”

Tesla has captured magic with their new single, “All About Love.” That is why Cryptic Rock recommends picking up the EP and gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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