Bust a Nut

Bust a Nut is a record on which TESLA, while keeping the feel of earthy American hard rock, stepped into a heavier, tighter sound. Jeff Keith’s gritty singing and the thick outline of the guitars support the unadorned frame of the songs. Retaining a suppleness derived from blues and rock ’n’ roll, the riffs sit lower than before and the rhythm moves with tenacity. Mindful of the mid-1990s musical changes, the band’s inherent feel is not lost in the least. On “Mama's Fool,” “Need Your Lovin',” “Action Talks” and “Shine Away,” thick riffs and catchy melody join tightly, conveying the band’s plain strength at its best. A song choice like the Joe South cover “Games People Play” shows the band’s attachment to its roots too. Consistently trusting the feel of the playing and the flow of the songs over flashy presentation, it is a powerful record that vividly carves a TESLA in full stride, just before the temporary hiatus to come.