Album Review: Angels & Devils

I am very excited that one of my favorite bands has been able to overcome losing their lead singer in February 2006 and now release a new album with a new singer in August 2007. This is the first album from Fuel since "Natural Selection" was released in 2003. The new singer, Toryn Green formerly of the So-Cal band Something To Burn, has added a new element to the band with his difference in voice, which became a problem for former lead singer Brett Scallions late in his career with Fuel. I am personally looking forward to one day hearing him perform all of the classic Fuel songs like Hemorrhage (In My Hands), Sunburn, and Falls On Me. Below you will find a list of the tracks on this album as well as my rating of each song (out of four stars) and a little description of why I rated the song as I did.

1. Gone

A little bit of a rockin' song to open up the new CD. I give the song 3 stars because the beat moves along well and the lyrics flow well with the music. The best of the song is the guitar, one of the things I'm sure we will be coming back to quite a few times since Jeff Abercrombie and Carl Bell are masters of their craft.

2. I Should Have Told You

A little slower of a song comes with this song. When I say a little slower I mean there is still rock to it but the verses are softer in more places than other songs. It has a good rhythm to it but overall I am not thoroughly impressed with it so it gets 2 1/2 stars.

3. Forever

Heavy guitar here from Abercrombie and Bell and is the typical Fuel sound you would expect to hear over and over again. The song itself could be better lyrically but forever can be a "useless word you say." This song won't be around forever though so it gets 3 stars.

4. Wasted Time (G-Mix)

This song receives 4 stars because it is one of my favorite ones on the track, if not a favorite of Fuel's history. This is, for those of you unaware, the first single released off of this album as well. The drums are excellently handled by another new member of the band Tommy Stewart (brought in to replace Kevin Miller in 2006). Also this was the first time I heard Green's voice and it got me hyped up for the new album months before it came out.

5. Leave The Memories Alone

The slowest song on the CD thus far and a very respectable song. Sometimes we all just want to see how it used to be and not how it is and you get that feeling for most of the song. It stacks up with my favorites on the CD and it gets 3 1/2 stars.

6. Mess

This song is 13 seconds long and only a little drum piece, not bad but not really even worth a rating for how short it is.

7. Not This Time

This song has a major kick ass guitar/drum connection that really rocks! The lyrics leave a little something to be desired but overall the song really will make you nod your head and I feel it would be a great concert song to jam to as well. This song could make it to Guitar Hero but would probably be best suited for Rock Band with the drums and guitar jamming that takes place. I give it a rockin' 3 1/2 stars.

8. Scars In The Making

This song flows so well and we all have those memories that are simply "scars in the making" and those things we can't let go are "scars in the making" also. This song has become a quick favorite of mine and I have listened to it constantly since getting this CD. This song receives 4 stars for being sung wonderfully by Green and with excellent guitar work by Abercrombie and Bell.

9. Hangin Around

This song is very drum heavy, not a bad thing but not typical Fuel. The song goes from soft to loud to soft and back again. A little catchy but overall not one of the best songs on the CD but there are several decent guitar solos from Abercrombie and Bell. 2 1/2 stars for this song until my feet actually do "find the floor."

10. Again

"If I never see your face again hope it eats you up inside" comes across as very powerful in this song. It shows off strong vocal ability from Green, a range that I don't know if Scallions could have achieved with his supposed diminishing voice toward his end with Fuel. One of the few songs on the CD that actually uses a fade out toward the end as well. The song receives 3 1/2 stars.

11. Halos Of The Sun

Some good guitar to open up the song followed by Green singing in somewhat of a hollow sounding voice. I can totally see myself constantly playing air guitar to this song, but the lyrics do not help really get me into the song. I may get used to this song and like it down the road but for now it receives 2 1/2 stars.

12. Angels Take A Soul

This is one of those songs that is not heavy in rock or guitar or drums but is one of those "I can see myself singing this song loudly with the windows down while driving" kind of song. Those songs kick ass... 3 1/2 stars.

13. Wasted Time (S-Mix)

This song receives 3 stars due to the fact it is the same song but with a higher pitch than the original G-mix version actually listed on the CD. This song is only listed as a Bonus Track so it does not get the same rating as the one that actually made the CD.