-With its latest release “Into the Now,” Tesla asks one question: Can a band be considered heavy metal with lyrics like “Mighty Mouse come down and save the day”? The answer is a resounding no.

One of the main pitfalls of this album is lead singer Jeff Keith’s vocals. Most of the songs have a promising start, complete with heavy guitar riffs, but as soon as the vocals kick in, hope is lost. Keith’s attempts to mimic ‘80s legend Axl Rose fails miserably. His raspy, screechy vocals make most of the tracks unbearable. On the final track, “Only You,” Keith sings in the appropriate range for his voice and consequently produces the only listen-worthy song on the album.

“Heaven Nine Eleven” is an ode to the American spirit, with an extra dose of cheese. “Let’s work together/ We can rise above and change the ways of the world” seems better suited for a Sesame Street sing-a-long than a pseudo-hard rock album.

The album has absolutely no flow. Tesla cannot decide whether it wants to rock the audience or make love to it. “Words Can’t Explain” is Keith’s attempt at seducing his wife. Lyrics like “I wanna hold you in my arms/ Wrap my legs around your pretty self” should be left spoken in the back of a dingy RV.

Tesla’s “Into the Now” projects an image of middle-aged fathers attempting to relive their glory days through one sad, and hopefully last, attempt at an album.