The Fray
by The Fray
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Feb 3, 2009
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. AllMusic
    60
    The Fray's sophomore release picks up where How to Save a Life left off, reprising the same blend of piano-led ballads and midtempo pop/rock that helped establish the band in 2005.
  2. Blender
    50
    The Denver foursome is spectacularly anonymous: poignant enough to bring out the waterworks, but generic enough not to get in the way of someone else’s story--making them the perfect soundtrack for prime-time melodrama.
  3. Hot Press
    50
    Slick yet soulless second effort from Denver’s Answer to Coldplay.
  5. Rolling Stone
    40
    The band's piano rock suggests a more earnest, less arty Coldplay. The Fray are going for introspection and dramatic sweep but don't rise above bland pleasantries.
  6. musicOMH.com
    40
    A thoroughly professional, exquisitely produced, and utterly soulless album.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    42
    Life had a handful of standouts, but follow-up The Fray is all blah, all the time: more minor-key melodies, more dreary tempos, more of singer-pianist Isaac Slade's spiceless sore-throat croon.
  8. Billboard
    70
    The Fray is a more angst-filled and melancholy set than you'd expect from a group following up a double-platinum debut, populated with songs about lost love and tortured souls. But hand-wringing music sells.
  9. Hartford Courant
    50
    The group doesn't stray far from the template, turning in another batch of hooky mid-tempo songs that are pretty without necessarily sounding distinctive.
  10. Uncut
    80
    Not only a radio-friendly unit-shifter, but also a bona fide guilty pleasure. [Mar 2009, p.85]
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Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Most Discussed Album of 2009
62
#62 Most Shared Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 41
  3. Negative: 7 out of 41
  1. chandler1178
    Sep 30, 2013
    8
    The album is laid out in a way that makes it worth listening to straight through, and sort of expresses some of the confusion in emotion thatThe album is laid out in a way that makes it worth listening to straight through, and sort of expresses some of the confusion in emotion that the band probably had at this period when trying to make a follow up album for a great first album. There are a few amazing songs in this album, it contains "you found me" as a popular track to get a lot of popular radio air time, but also the song "Happiness" which is a standalone great song, satisfying end to the album, yet not laid out in a way to gain radio popularity so no one can hear it. Overall, the emotion is a bit less there and the theme kind of switches around, but it is musically a brilliant album, better than the first as the young band naturally got better.… Full Review »
  2. Juliakay337
    Mar 19, 2012
    5
    Very disappointing. "How To Save A Life" had beautiful ballads, like "Hundred" and "Look After You". I felt real emotion in that album. ThisVery disappointing. "How To Save A Life" had beautiful ballads, like "Hundred" and "Look After You". I felt real emotion in that album. This self-titled release seems like a poor copy of their debut. It doesn't feel honest or authentic anymore, just tired and bland, like they were trying to recreate their old songs in order to gain the same commercial success. Standout tracks for me are "Absolute" and "Happiness". Most others, like "Where The Story Ends" and "Ungodly Hour" are nothing but forgettable.… Full Review »
  3. AlanSully
    Apr 12, 2011
    8
    This album is not as epic as there first in my opinion but it comes very very close. I recommend a listen to anyone that hasn't heard it yetThis album is not as epic as there first in my opinion but it comes very very close. I recommend a listen to anyone that hasn't heard it yet and if you get a chance to see them live definitely do!… Full Review »
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