Disco de The Fray: “How to Save a Life”

I watched The Fray open for Ben Folds at Furman University last fall and was blown away. The vocals, lyrics, and musicianship were superb and when I heard "Over My Head (Cable Car)" for the first time, I became an immediate fan. Here is my review for How to Save A Life:

1. She Is- This fast-paced tune is a solid opener for the album. Lead singer Isaac Slide's vocals are instantly likeable. 8.5/10

2. Over My Head (Cable Car)- This song was originally called Cable Car but was changed to "Over My Head" in order to make the song name more recognizable. This song started out as my favorite and still is. The piano is amazing, the vocals are incredible, and I love the lyrics. 10/10

3. How to Save A Life- A slower song which picks up a little ways into the song. Very good song and great chorus. 9/10

4. All At Once- Great lyrics in this one as Slide talks about how sometimes one has to make hard decisions in a relationship. 8.5/10

5. Fall Away- I love this song and it's a close 2nd to Cable Car. Great backup vocals in this one. 9.75/10

6. Heaven Forbid- Not spectacular but still is a great addition to the album. Isaac changes keys in this one a few times which is pretty cool. 8/10

7. Look After You- I remember The Fray performing this song when I saw them live and it was incredible. When Isaac sang the chorus, he included the crowd singing without instruments and it was incredible. 9.5/10

8. Hundred- A slower song which is very nice, but not a standout. 8/10

9. Vienna- My favorite slower song on the album. The lyrics are very sad and talk about how there is "Really no way to reach me, cause i'm already gone." 9.5

10. Dead Wrong- I like the chord progression on the piano in this one a lot. A great song. 9/10

11. Little House- The shortest song on the album ups the tempo a little bit from the previous couple of songs. Sweet. 8.5/10

12. Trust Me- I love his voice on this one and it is showcased throughout. Average song with great vocals and a good closer to a great debut. 8/10

This is a great first record from The Fray and I can only hope that their followup album will continue to improve on this debut.

Overall: 8.9/10, 5 Stars.

If you're like me you've been wondering when a pop/rock album was going to come out that wasn't completely boring and unoriginal. Keane put me to sleep, new Coldplay sounds like old Colplay, and Matchbox 20 gave up. Don't even get me started on that Daniel Powter, American Idol crap. Just when I was about to put on a Ben Folds record and slash my wrists(the only sensible thing to do), here comes The Fray. Hooky but not hokey, catchy but not contagious, The Fray's debut has just the right kind of variety and believability to restore my confidence that every once in a while a good band gets overused on TV shows and radio promos. I won't go into a track-by-track, so let's just say that they mix up their styles and tempos, and tug at all the right heartstrings. They're a little like Something Corporate, but without all that annoying MySpace college emo attitude. If you've been looking for a cd you can put in that will please your artistic sensibilities while managing to sate your girlfriend's need for songs that she heard on her favorite dramas, then don't turn to Howie Day, jump into the Fray.

Late last year, the Fray was a band that no one seemed to have ever heard of. Through time, however, they got enough acclaim to shoot them themselves to the top of the Billboard Heatseekers chart. But now, thanks to the success of "Over My Head (Cable Car)", everyone went to check out How to Save a Life to see what this Denver-based foursome is all about.

I understand all the three-star (and the editorial) reviews that state that most of the songs sound the same, although I don't agree with them 100%. But "Over My Head" is the only song on here that really stands out, although the final two tracks ("Little House" and "Trust Me") come in at a close second and third. There are a couple of songs that don't make sense, namely "Vienna" and especially "Hundred".

Another thing is that lead singer Isaac Slade has the kind of voice that gets a little irritating for an entire album. While I don't think the guys in the Fray are quite as good as Coldplay or Keane (I love both of those bands, but damn; are those the ONLY two bands people use as comparisons any more?), How to Save a Life is still a nice album to mellow out to.

Anthony Rupert

I heard The Fray's track "Over My Head" in the movie Stealth, and later listened to it on VH1's You Oughta Know section and immediately left to go buy the CD. This track and many others really spoke to things that I myself was dealing with in life currently but not in an overly sappy way. Just simply touching. The music industry seems to have fallen strongly upon the "emo" genre of whining melancholy ballads, but The Fray has meaningful and emotional songs without being sickeningly maudlin. I've found many of the lyrics of their songs have become little mantras of mine, such as in "Heaven Forbid" when I'm having relationship problems I pop it in and hear "Heaven forbid you end up alone and don't know why. Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you'll be alright." Simple lyrics that are honest and eloquent enough to satisfy not only teenagers, but adults too I've found. A really really good buy, I'd recommend this CD to everyone.

Back in late 2004, I heard a radio station play a song simply titled "Cable Car". After one listen, I fell in love. I went out and immediatly bought their EP "Reason", which sealed the deal. Ever since I've been craving something new. Then "How To Save A Life" was released.

This album is one of the best albums I've listened to in years. Every track could be a potential single, compared to the normal CD where you can tell which tracks they will release. The CD roars with powerful vocals from lead vocalist/pianist Isaac Slade, as well as incredible melodies from Joe King (guitar/vocals), Dave Welsh (guitar) and Ben Wysocki (drums).

Every song on the album is beautiful and I can't find one dissapointing track on it. I was going to list my favorites off the album, but looking at it, I can't find one that I wouldn't include. If I did have to single out three, I would pick "Little House", "How To Save a Life" and "Trust Me". "Little House" really shows that The Fray aren't limited to ballads and definitly have a edgier side just waiting to come out. "How To Save a Life" is a powerful ballad that portrays Slade's experience of mentoring a crack-addicted teen. It's an extremely emotional song that really pulls at your heart. "Trust Me" is another powerful song that really focuses on Slade's vocals and shines as a wonderful close to a wonderful CD.

I could compare The Fray to the likes of Coldplay and Something Corporate, but it wouldn't do them justice. They are one of the most unique bands I've had the pleasure of listening to. I can not willingly give this CD anything lower than a 10/10 (or 5 stars out of 5 stars). If you don't know who they are, you will shortly. Within a year, The Fray have gone from nothing to selling out 2,000 capacity venues in the Colorado area. I suspect that in another year, The Fray will be a truely succesfull band throughout the entire US.

If you like this CD, try and find a copy of the Reason EP, which also includes an early version of Vienna. You can also find special editions of Reason that include early versions of Over My Head (Cable Car) and Heaven Forbid.