Sometimes you do things or buy things on impulse, sometimes you should really have taken the information that was available to you.

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I am a big Tesla fan; their 'Mechanical Resonance' album (1986), is one of the greatest debuts of all time. Follow ups, 'The Great Radio Controversy' (1989) and 'Psychotic Supper' (1991) were just as impactful. Back then in a different century, the vast majority had never heard of Tesla, as in the inventor of the radio, the car hadn’t appeared yet.

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Something that was appearing and taking over was Grunge in its many shapes, sounds and forms, unless you were that one trick pony, Guns & Roses, the world had lost its appetite to Rock. Tesla did manage a 4th album, 'Bust A Nut' (1994) before disappearing off the radar for nearly a decade.

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I really enjoyed the white-collar rock created by Jeff Keith (Vocals) Frank Hannon (lead & rhythm guitar) Tommy Skeoch (guitar) and Brian Wheat (bass) so without really paying attention I was excited to be reviewing this, Homage, the new album by Tesla, I guess the clue is in the title!

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The opening song ‘Never Alone’ seemed a lack lustre place to start, all acoustic and slow, next. ‘Bring It On Home’ sounds familiar, but I am still not getting it, the album is still not cooking on gas! Finally, it hits me with, ‘Spread Your Wings’ by Queen, it’s a covers album!

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It is a very deep and diverse one at that! Keith definitely gets the chance to demonstrate his vocal prowess. He absolutely kills it on Elvis’s ‘If I Can Dream’. Other stand out moments are; ‘Give A Little Bit’ (Supertramp) and whoooo!! ‘I Got You’ - ‘I Feel Good’ (James Brown). ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’ (Etta James) is sensational.

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There are a few I personally could do without Badfingers ‘Come & Get It’ & 'The Ballad Of Curtis Loew' (Lynyrd Skynyrd) do nothing for me. This music isn’t about me, or you, it’s about Tesla, so ‘Hang Tough’ it’s not all ‘Ez Come Ez Go’. It is maybe not essential but all hardcore fans will need this in their collection.

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Incidentally the lyrics and feel of ‘Never Alone’ (the only non cover song on this album) are stunning. The inclusion of The Temptations ‘I Wish It Would Rain’ is apt, especially as Europe is ravaged by wild fires.