Fuel 
Something Like Human
Sony
Rating: 8

After FallFest 2000, I was even more of a Fuel fan then I had been in the past. They put on a killer show filled with action and energy that is also captured on their second Sony 500 release, Something Like Human. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and managed to snag a copy a month before the album’s national release, which will be on Sept. 19. This new album is a departure from the hard-driven, edgy Sunburn. That’s not to say there aren’t just as many banging power chords on Something Like Human, they just accentuate them with some other beautiful songs that aren’t monotonously loud.
“Hemmorage (In My Hands)” is the first single from the album and it screams for radio airplay. This song is beautifully written and played from an emotional standpoint. It shows a darker image of love lost in lines like “Don’t fall away and leave me to myself./Don’t leave love bleeding in my hands.” It’s a thought-provoking, moving song with twists and turns that make you feel the lyrics.
“Bad Day,” the fifth song on the album, is a big departure from Fuel’s relative style. It’s a more mellow, flowing song with nice acoustic guitar in the background. While there is a heavier chorus (in comparison), the song overall is laid-back with more of Brett Scallions’ phenomenal vocal work. He might not write the songs (it’s usually guitarist Carl Bell), but no one can deny that he has one of the more expressive voices in music.
There are other varied tracks on the CD, but these two definitely represent the best of what Fuel has done since Sunburn and Shimmer. With a list of tracks that clues the listener in to the deeper meaning of the verse such as “Scar,” “Down” and “Solace,” this album is thought-provoking and evokes a great deal of feeling from the listener.
I thought this album was incredibly well-written and even poetic in the brilliance of the production. It is a departure from Fuel’s first album, but it is definitely worth a listen. I loved it, and I would recommend Something Like Human to anyone who is a fan of hard rock. It kicks and is worth the price.