Feb 25 2009
The Fray’s new album (Self-Titled)
Since gaining popularity with their first album, How To Save A Life, The Fray can be found on the iPods of people who watch awful dramatic television (Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, The OC, etc.)
They’ve recently released their second album (self-titled), and premiered their first single on a television promo for Lost…on a commercial break during Grey’s Anatomy. Evidence that generic-heartbroken-and-not-happy-about-it lightning can strike in the same place twice.
The album opener, Syndicate, isn’t terrible. The rhythm is somewhat unique, and the choruses are memorable - yet still a bit cheesy. The sound of the piano at the beginning sounds brittle and unnatural, which is a shame.
The first single, You Found Me, is the most moving of the ten songs. I wouldn’t say it’s as catchy as Over My Head or any of their other singles, but it still works. You won’t be able to resist singing the chorus, and even if you resist, it will catch up to you sooner or later. Unfortunately the lyrics are pure drivel…
This album is full of decent pop songs, but the only problem is that they all sound familiar. The Fray have successfully recorded an album of songs that are similar to their last album and are performed and recorded the same way - a failure in my books.
I encourage the band to break the mold! If they don’t, I’m sure we won’t be hearing them for much longer…probably about the same time it takes for Grey’s Anatomy to be canceled (soon please).
Sincerely,
BW.
