Customer Reviews

Monuments to Excess

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This CD is awsome if you're into punk. Don't expect to hear the Fuel from Pennsylvania that released the Sunburn CD. These guys are faster and have been around longer. Some of the members from this band now play in another punk band called Pinhead Gunpowder. Don't buy this CD expecting to hear another Shimmer. If you want the "Sunburn" Fuel, buy THEIR newest CD: Something Like Human ...which is also an awesome CD...but its not kick-a** punk like this!

My word, I usually rely on patron reviews for music purchasesbut I'm calling that all into question after reading the reviews for"Monuments to Excess". This band is the Bay Area band that broke up 10 years ago. This isn't the "Fuel" that sounds like "Fastball" and "SmashMouth". This Fuel sounds more like Fugazi. Their music is a bit more straight-forward punk rock but still, the activist lyrics and anger and creativity are ever present. This Fuel has nothing to do with the cd "Sunburn". I cut my college teeth on this tape when it was put out on Rough Trade. Since then, it was release on Allied records and now, a new label. The tape I bought back in 1990 only had 8 songs. The Allied release had a few more but now, it looks as though all of their releases are present on this CD. It's really a great CD. "Cue to you" is one of those epic punk rock songs that makes you just love to listen to punk rock. It starts off with slow guitar picking, introspective lyrics, a gentle melody and eventually becomes barn burning punk rock. The lyrics are so great I used a few of them in some of my college papers. (Well, maybe just some of the words and concepts.) They are all about hypocrites and honesty and environmental degradation and greed. I believe some members are currently playing in Pinhead Gunpowder with Billy Joe from Green Day. Pinhead Gunpowder is pretty much Fuel sounding music with Billy Joe's vocals. I had a few 7 inch records by Pinhead and they never moved me as much as "Monuments to Excess" has. "Disengaged" and the "instrumental" song are also tremendous. "Not for Sale" is an obvious political song but, the music has a lot of power. "Why can't you" is actually a Fuel song set to the music of "Shield your Eyes" by the late Jawbreaker. It's all part of this large early 90's Bay Area conglomerate that was once great. It's not so great anymore but that's what happens. Blake from Jawbreaker is now in Jets to Brazil. Another musical reference point would be Hot Water Music. If you like them, you'll never go back to them after listening to Fuel. Fuel really has something that they lack but they still sound similar. I had to write this since the reissue just came out and I wanted to see what people had to say. Unfortunatly, everyone that said anything was horribly wrong.

Who can every confuse this absolutley amazing band with the softer "FUEL". It is mind-boggolying that people would confuse and even write a bad review of this band when they don't know what they are about. REAL SMART, give yourself a pat on the back.
First this band came out of the SF scene about the same time Jawbreaker(another great band). This, I would consider emo-core, but I hate using that term. Sooooo many people use "emo" that the term gets tossed around like a rag doll and loses its meaning. Emo is slowed down hardcore that bands form the east coast started, bands like Rites of Spring, Embrace, Fugazi(more insturmental), and Dag Nasty. On the west coast we had Jawbreaker and Fuel plus a lot of underground emo.The lyrics are Brilliant on this record.

DISENGAGED
I'd like to help but I've got to worry about myself!
Taking the easy way out again?
It's not my fault. The problem belongs to someone else
Taking the easy way out again?
I've played my part. It's someone else's turn
Taking the easy way out again?
Dont show me the truth. It only makes my eyes burn
Taking the easy way out again?
When conflict is avoided, pricnciples fall void
We only serve to justify ourselves
As isolated islands we continue abstinence from action
In attempt to justify ourselves
I've got to fight. Macho stance I must defend
Taking the easy way out again?
Can't let them know I'm scared. I've got to pretend
Taking the easy way out again?
Can't speak out my ignorance will show
Taking the easy way out again?
I can't be hurt by what I don't know.
Taking the easy way out again?
When conflict are avoided, principles fall void
We only serve to justify ourselves
When we accept others pain, to uncontrolled reason we throw our blame.
We only serve to justify ourselves
Disengaged with a cynical pride the way that we were taught
Quite satisfied, fully denied, we sit back and watch
And I don't want to live my life like that
I don't want to live my life like that.

ABSOLUTELY Brilliant lyrics and that just one song. Every song has great lyrics and meaning. Good music makes you think, right?
Put these lyrics against any of "the softer FUEL" other band and it will lose badly, sorry. This is heartfelt and meaningful music and for anyone to bash it, shame on you?

I heard this CD and was amazed! Fuel is a wonderful band with an awesome sound.

THIS IS NOT THE FUEL THAT RELEASED THE ALBUM 'SUNBURN', AND THAT ROCKS! THIS BAND IS TERRIBLE! GO BUY THE REAL FUEL CD, NOT THIS PUNK JUNK!

This is NOT the crappy band from PA that call themselves "Fuel". That band is complete and utter garbage, they sound exactly like every other post-grunge band out there.

This Fuel came first, therefore, they are the TRUE Fuel. This set the stage for bands like Hot Water Music and Propaghandi. If you aren't a hopeless moron and can appreciate awesome punk rock, then you will like this cd.

THIS IS THE REAL FUEL! The early 90's bay area punk band. Not the post-alternative cookie cutter crap you would find at wal-mart. NOT the band who were SO desperate for a singer they whored themselves on American idol. If you are into hot water music, samiam and bands of the like, pick this up. If you are into creed and nickelback, then the OTHER fuel is more like to suit your tastes. And you have my sympathies.

this fuel is one of the greatest bands ever. i really don't have much of a review. i just wanted to point out that i think it's hillarious that people bought this record thinking it's those reallly sexist guys on mtv who dress in black and make cheesy, fakely emotional faces while they lip sinc.

one of the guitar players from this band went on to be in about two billion other great bands, but i think this is the only band he's been in that put out a CD release, so amazon probably wouldn't carry any of the other stuff, but if you have a turntable check out torches to rome or bread and circuits. yeah.

anyhoo. when i want something intelligent/dancable i pop this in. when i want to laugh i picture that blonde guy making stupid faces and yelling "IN MY HANDS! IN MY HANDS AGA--EEE-AN!" in that video for that other band that should have brushed up on their history before selecting their name.

ok this is not the band from PA neither is it their underground stuff. believe me, their underground stuff is "Porcelain", "Hazleton", "Fuel"(tape) and "Small the Joy". they were not a punk band. and also Fuel is one of the best bands out there. they make music that sounds like REAL rock music. their cd's are awesome and they are great live so to say they (stink) is just being naive. just wanted to clarify.

Hey. Is this Fuel or not? I thought Sunburn was a very intricate album and would establish the band. But I was not aware that they put out a new album? Is this there work or not? b/c there new album is supposed to come out this fall. Well let me know what this is.