One of the band's best albums, The Great Radio Controversy retains the typical big-sounding production and anthemic hooks of '80s pop-metal, but Tesla adds a grittier, bluesier edge to their music than most of their peers. As on most of their records, Tesla's songwriting is consistently good but never quite great; however, "Love Song," "The Way It Is," and "Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)" are among their best, with melodies and riffs that aren't predictable, cookie-cutter product. The Great Radio Controversy broadens the sound of Mechanical Resonance somewhat with increased use of acoustic instruments, which provides more textural and dynamic contrasts, and the weaker moments are still enlivened by the twin-guitar attack of Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch. All in all, a fine effort. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Hang Tough
Jeff Keith, Brian Wheat, Troy Luccketta, Tommy Skeoch, Frank Hannon
Frank Hannon (Slide Guitar), Frank Hannon (Guitar (12 String)), Frank Hannon (Guitar (12 String Acoustic)), Brian Wheat (Photography), Denny Saunders (Drum Technician), Frank Hannon (Vocals (Background)), Michael Barbiero (Engineer), Steve Thompson (Producer), Tommy Skeoch (Guitar (Electric)), George Cowan (Engineer), Frank Hannon (Guitar (Acoustic)), Tommy Skeoch (Guitar), Michael Barbiero (Mixing), Jeff Keith (Photography), Tommy Skeoch (Vocals), Steve Thopmson (Producer), Brian Wheat (Bass), Tommy Skeoch (Guitar (Acoustic)), Tommy Skeoch (Vocals (Background)), Troy Luccketta (Percussion), Steve Thompson (Mixing), George Cowan (Assistant Engineer), Brian Wheat (Vocals), Tommy Skeoch (Strings), Barbiero (Producer), Brian Wheat (Voices), Troy Luccketta (Photography), Troy Luccketta (Cymbals), Frank Hannon (Photography), Frank Hannon (Gong), Frank Hannon (Vocals), Neil Zlozower (Photography), Troy Luccketta (Tama), Barry Diament (Mastering), Troy Luccketta (Stick), Victor Deyglio (Assistant Engineer), Michael Barbiero (Producer), Troy Luccketta (Pedals), Frank Hannon (Piano), Jodi Summers (Photography), Frank Hannon (Guitar), Frank Hannon (Guitar (Electric)), Frank Hannon (Tremolo), George Marino (Mastering), Tommy Skeoch (Soloist), Jeff Keith (Vocals), Brian Wheat (Strings), Frank Hannon (Organ), Troy Luccketta (Drums)
The Great Radio Controversy is the second album by American rock band Tesla, released in 1989. The songs combine 1980s metal with some blues-influenced elements, as well as the occasional love ballad. The record features many two-part counterpoints provided by guitarists Frank Hannon and Tommy Skeoch, on both electric and acoustic guitars.
The hit single "Love Song" received considerable MTV airplay and rocketed the band to stardom. Many tracks on this album later received acoustic versions on their follow-up album, Five Man Acoustical Jam, a precursor of the Unplugged trend.
The album is titled after the controversy about the identity of the inventor of radio. It is posed that Croatian engineer Nikola Tesla (whom the band is named after) is the true inventor of radio, while the Italian Guglielmo Marconi took the credit and is widely regarded as having the title. The album's inner sleeve recounts this story.
Track listing
"Hang Tough" (Jeff Keith, Tommy Skeoch, Frank Hannon, Brian Wheat) – 4:21
"Lady Luck" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon, Wheat) – 3:39
"Heaven's Trail (No Way Out)" (Keith, Skeoch) – 4:41
"Be a Man" (Keith, Hannon, Skeoch) – 4:20
"Lazy Days, Crazy Nights" (Keith, Skeoch) – 4:26
"Did It for the Money" (Keith, Skeoch, Hannon) – 4:25
