Tesla - Into The Now
Sanctuary Records – Release date: March 9, 2004

Tesla’s back. -Those two little words working in tandem make a pretty powerful statement to any old-school Tesla fans.

With a whopping ten years since their last studio album it’s natural to wonder: Will the new album sound like 1994 Tesla? Or will they have changed their style so much that the band’s signature sound is barely apparent anymore? These were the questions gnawing at me as I placed the CD into my stereo feeling a tremor of both anticipation and anxiety.

As the first song and title cut, “Into The Now,” began seeping from my speakers I immediately recognized that familiar sound, but there was something else there too - they had evolved as well. “Into The Now,” a seemingly prophetic muse could not have been more perfectly placed. For any listener with the questions I myself had wondered, here’s a masterful response, almost as if the band itself is smiling slyly with proof that they kept their original sound while managing to create a modern and progressive sound.

Original band members, vocalist Jeff Keith, guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, bassist Brian Wheat and drummer Troy Luccketta spent two years working on the material for Into The Now, and even shared production duties alongside producer Michael Rosen. And the result of which is simply 12 great songs.

Jeff Keith still has the ability to belt out songs with a soulful rasp that only he and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler can do with utter authority and versatility. And the musicianship of all members is just as powerful and honed as anyone would expect of this band.

Juicy rockers include songs “What A Shame,” “Mighty Mouse,” and the gutsy and pulsing “Got No Glory.” Other highlights of the disc are “Heaven Nine Eleven” - Tesla’s personal anthem in response to the September 11 tragedy, and “Only You,” an achingly sweet and delicate, though mature, fully-acoustic ballad.

Tesla’s Into The Now proves to be well worth the wait. It’s rare that I can actually say I like every song on an album, but in this case, it’s true.

-Melanie “Sass” Falina

Segment Producer - Mike Giambra

Michael Giambra produces an impressive, professional still and video portfolio with his production of RockstarPix TV. For the past 20 years, he has completed freelance and commercial assignments with a number of major US and Canadian music publishing giants. "Giambra’s work is a visual showcase of optical landmarks of news, sports, politics, and social documentation focusing primarily on his passion, rock music." Michael’s traditional still silver and color photography archives have been printed, displayed & appeared in numerous publications including The New York Times, Miami Herald, Associated Press (Miami, FL Bureau)Reuters News Service, Associated Press & Gannett Newspapers / USA TODAY and Buffalo Spree Magazine. His current video production company RockstarPix / Michael Giambra Productions is working on a number of new music and video interview segments with musicians and entertainers from around the world.