With the Fray's latest single, You Found Me,"" having been played ad nauseum on every light rock station over the last few months, it's about time the album from which it comes, The Fray, is released.
Unfortunately, all the band's self-titled second album delivers is a regurgitated version of their first, How to Save a Life. It makes sense that the Denver-based group chose to do this. Their first album was very well received and had a myriad of hits on it, most notably ""Over My Head (Cable Car)"" and ""How to Save a Life."" Although those songs were good in their own right, they could have easily been expanded upon. The Fray, however, have failed to take advantage of that opportunity on their subsequent release.
With that said, anyone who enjoyed How to Save a Life will no doubt take pleasure in the Fray's second edition of catchy, pop-rock ballads. The Fray contains more fast tempos than the band's last release, but also has a more monotonous sound. If the album is not listened to carefully, it's easy to miss the transition between one song ending and the next beginning.
Nonetheless, several songs do hold their own.
""Say When"" is the quintessential pop-rock love ballad, sure to be the awkward slow dance song at every junior high social this year. With lead singer Isaac Slade serenading ""You say the word and I will be your man, your man / Say when and my own two hands / Will comfort you tonight, tonight / Say when and my own two arms / Will carry you tonight, tonight,"" the song is sure to get every girl's heart racing and be featured in numerous primetime dramas. Although the song seriously lacks creativity, its lyrics hit the nail on the head, which seems to have been the Fray's intention. If so, ""Say When"" executes the duties of a mainstream pop ballad well.
The Fray's opening song, ""Syndicate,"" is another highlight on the album. Exceedingly reminiscent of the music from the band's first release, the song speaks of losing passionate love, but believing there is enough hope to make things work out in the end. ""Syndicate"" keeps the momentum going throughout the entire song and holds more depth than a lot of the album's other tracks.
""Enough For Now"" is by far the best track on the album, doing for The Fray what ""How to Save a Life"" did for the band's first release. It is emotionally packed and graceful, with Slade's vocals being particularly impressive. He sings of a man who isn't a good father to his daughter, leaving it up to the listener to decide what is the breaking force in their relationship. The lyrics are more stirring than those the Fray typically present to the world, leaving the listener feeling sad and contemplative once the song concludes.
Overall, The Fray doesn't completely disappoint. Amongst the monotony there are a few highlights, with ""Enough for Now"" being the most profound of the bunch. Yet, the album isn't a sophomore slump as much as it is a repeat of freshman year. Hopefully, next time the Fray will be able to graduate to the next level.
