I see no special reason for this CD release, to be honest, even if the band's performance sounds impressive and convincing. TESLA released the "Comin' Atcha Live! 2008" DVD not long ago and I'm not positive a simple live CD shall (in such a sort period) attract the interest of many more than the American band's fanatics.

While touring Europe extensively for the promotion of their latest "Forever More" album, TESLA gathered multiple recordings caught in order to compile the present live collection; in a recent interview bassist Brian Wheat confessed the original plan was to deliver two separate live CD with respective pieces from American and European shows, but eventually convinced themselves TESLA fans in Europe should have their own treat. Thus, "Alive In Europe!" can grow up as a companion if you've not seen TESLA onstage yet plus it's some kind of memorabilia for fans that made it to some of the 2009 European gigs.

As regards the tracklist, "Forever More"'s pieces have their own place here ("Forever More", "I Wanna Live", "Breakin' Free" and "So What!") and the general impression after a few spins is that the crowds seem to bring forth a warm welcome for the Sacramento-based hardrockers. Maybe that's also due to the fact that TESLA was absent from European soil for many many years, counting from 1991/1992 to...2006 really? Woah...and imagine it's a band widely accepted by the somehow more judgmental European audience, especially when it comes to American (hard) Rock representatives.

The 'classics' part of the show(s) are here, too; "Modern Day Cowboy" is and will always be a stage favorite while it is quite a surprise "Cumin' Atcha Live" is not included. "Love Song"'s take is sensational - this 1989 hit is a classic anyway - and, to present a common spirit, the performance of TESLA sounds credible. The vocals of Jeff Keith have the guts needed but at times he seems to overdo it in no reason, hence his throat sounds somehow fragile (had the same impression in the 2008 DVD). As for the guitars parts recorded, even if my favorite Tommy Skeoch is now long gone history, the Hannon/Rude due takes off multiple times (e.g. in "Hang Tough" or "Breakin' Free") and you'll surely enjoy the ride if a loyal fan of the Americans' guitar-oriented bluesy Hard Rock tunes.

Again said though, "Alive In Europe!"'s sales/approval is a quite risky though. The album's got the quality, objections overruled, but...will it make it to many sound devices? Really hope so.