Sunburn
Fuel
Shimmer is the song that makes Fuel's debut easy to recommend. It has a clear guitar opening, a melody that moves naturally towards the chorus and a vocal from Brett Scallions that gives the whole thing a rough, emotional edge. The arrangement adds colour without getting in the way. A very good piece of rock songwriting.
Sunburn has more force around that familiar single than you might expect. Jesus or a Gun is the clearest example, with heavy guitar playing and drums that give Scallions room to push his voice much harder. His delivery can turn from controlled singing into an open roar, and the band leave enough space in the sound for that change to register.
Bittersweet is more tightly packed, using the guitars and rhythm together to keep the pressure up. The title track takes a different approach, letting the individual instruments stand apart more clearly and giving the vocal a softer shape. That change makes the song feel warmer without taking the weight away. Fuel are particularly effective when they allow a little space between their heavier ideas.
Song for You offers another quieter setting. Scallions doesn't need to sing at full force to hold attention, and the band sound comfortable supporting him with a less aggressive arrangement. The record moves between these approaches without making them seem like separate personalities. There is a consistent group sound underneath the different levels of noise.
The songwriting isn't equally sharp throughout. Some of the surrounding tracks have a strong guitar sound but less of the melodic purpose that makes Shimmer so memorable. It is the common debut problem of having found a style before every song can make the most of it. The stronger performances still give those moments some energy.
For a first album, Sunburn makes a solid impression. Carl Bell's guitar work has character, the rhythm section keeps things moving and Scallions gives the songs a recognisable voice. The singles are the easiest way in, but the contrast between the harder songs and the gentler material gives the full record more substance than a single radio memory.
