Fuel is a four piece Rock Band from America. They have released three incredible albums, Sunburn (1999), Natural Selection (2003) and of course the album which you are currently staring at, Something like Human (2000). Many people remember Fuel for their smash hits Shimmer, Bittersweet and Sunburn off their first album Sunburn. Since then Fuel have released two fantastic albums, which to my surprise have not been reviewed yet on this site as they are of brilliance. This is my first review ever, im only 16, but that’s no excuse, and I really want to get into it, so lets go and check out this fantastic rock album filled with hard rocking guitar riffs, driving lyrics and thumping drum beats.
1. Last Time – A hard rocking and energetic start to the album. Magnificent guitar work from Carl, it really lights up the song, also simple but very effective drumming from Kevin. Brett also has a huge impact on the song, he pours his heart into this song and it sounds great. Great powerful ending to this track. You will also find this track on Need For Speed Underground, for what its worth. A great start to the album. A very solid 4.5/5 .
2. Hemmorhage (In My Hands) – A crunching start, quickly followed by a emotional verse. This song has an extremely strong chorus, which gives the song a great vibe. Brett makes the song sound again very emotional, with the shouting of ‘leave life bleeding ‘ at the beginning of every chorus. A ripper of an ending, again makes the song powerful and full of charisma. Easily a 4.5/5.
3. Empty Spaces – Starts of with a fast exploding guitar riff. And from there on the song gets even better, great drumming from Kevin and also good bass from Jeff. The song suddenly dips in and out of a slow patch at about 2min20, and then they regroup and carry on where they left of. Good song for the Fuel fanatic. 3.5/5.
4. Scar – Interesting guitar riff to kick the song of with. Took me awile to like this song, but you must get into it to like it. Brett’s lyrics are mediocre in this song, but the guitar and drums make up for the loss. The track then kicks into overload when Carl plays a tweaking guitar solo along with Kev, then goes back to the chorus. Good track, they could of done something real special with it I feel though. 3.5/5.
5. Bad Day – Great acoustic and lyrical work to begin the track, then the band takes it to the top and begins to head back on the rock train. Carl once again head off on his own route and produces another great guitar riff, with Jeff coming into the context with a good guitar pattern. A sound ending, I think they could of done one of their trademark endings to this song, instead it just cut out. 3.5/5 once again.
6. Prove To You – WOW, another ear breaking energetic start. Top work through-out the whole song from the guys, it sounds great. Then, like usual, another rhythmic duet from Carl and Kev, works well. Nice solid ending, great bass work. One of the best tracks of the album, pleasure to listen to. A creditable 4/5.
7. Easy – One of the downsides to the album, vocals are a bit wayward, a real simple filler track. The song thins out in the middle, and then pulls back together, but still it lacks the spark which a lot of songs have on this album. Some good guitar picking near the end to excite the listeners, but its all to late. You wish this song would just end. A lowly 2.5/5.
8. Down – A chaotic but interesting intro to the song. This song is just ready for one of the guys to rip it up and sound great, but it doesn’t really happen. Nice bass work in the middle from Jeff, and good guitar strikes from Carl at the same time. Then the song goes into a fast paced Oblivion, sounds good, crazy ending. 3/5
9. Solace – Solace begins with a melodic slow start. This song stumbles around like a lost cow in the dark, it doesn’t really find any path to go along and makes the listener happy. It finally ends, again a downside to the album. They make up for it don’t worry J. 2/5
10. Knives – Great drum intro to kick start the song. It then heads in a different direction, great vocals and guitar to really create a punch, sounds good. Chorus is a bit choppy, Kev slowed down on the drums in it, he should of really hammered it down. Brett is really pushing hard on this song. The song then backtracks and goes into a lively and welcomed guitar solo from the magician himself Carl, it really spices up the song well. A solid energetic end to the song, One of my favourites. A good 4/5.
11. Innocent – Here we go. My personal favourite on the album, and all the Fuel classic I feel. A Truly awesome acoustic start to the song, it adds a lot of flavour into the song. Classic inspirational vocals from Brett when the song finally goes into crash and thrash mode. A nice simple but powerful chorus really makes it sound quite good. The middle of the song brings out a spirited group feel, they all go hell at it, sounds fantastic. A sad and emotional finale to what is a great little track, best on album full stop. 5/5.
12. Slow – A brief and slow but fun sounding intro, then they hit the button and create it into a mysterious and exciting track to listen to. It’s a great sounding bit of technical work from Fuel, who haven’t done a song like this before. A great ending to the album, and it deserves a good mark, A 3.5/5.
Pros
- Excellent Guitar patterns and Solo’s
- Last Time, Hemorrage (In My Hands), and Inncocent.
- Awesome vocals and inspirational lyrcis
Cons
- Not enough bass effect from Jeff
- Easy and Solace
- That’s about it!~!
Overall – A good Hard Rocking, Heart Throbbing CD. Sure, like every album there are some bad tracks, but there are only two in this album, the rest certainly makes up for it that’s for sure. If you own Sunburn or Natural Selection and you are interested in buy this album, or you have never even heard Fuel before and you a rocker, I encourage you to go out and get this disc, you wont be disappointed, Altogether a 4/5.
Fuel Is: Brett Scallions – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Carl Bell – Guitar, Vocals
Jeff Abercrombie – Bass
Kevin Miller – Drums
. If you listen to this CD his drumming is very safe, nothing overally special. He does however show quite abit of flare in Hemmorage (In My Hands), but apart from that one track, he really didnt wow me like he did in Sunburn. I am close to purchasing Natural Selection, i hope he has livened up abit more.
