Five Man Acoustical Jam (1990)

Unlike most hard-rock groups, Tesla has never used hair-sprayed glamour or bombastic effects as a crutch. So dropping the amps seems like the most natural thing in the world for these five down-home boys from Sacramento. Five Man Acoustical Jam, recorded live in a Philadelphia club, is a simple pleasure, down to the occasional glitches and unaffected goofing off. And guess what? Tesla tunes like the smoky ''Heaven's Trail'' stand up to this stripped-down approach as well as covers such as the Rolling Stones' ''Mother's Little Helper'' do. And the intimate feel holds fast through fiery numbers such as ''Gettin' Better.'' Tesla is a hard-rock band that even grown-ups will love. A

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