In early 2006 the hit television drama Grey’s Anatomy sent The Fray, a then slowly rising band from Denver Colorado to the top of America’s charts. Three years later the band debuted their catchy and powerful first single “You Found Me” during an episode of, you guessed it, Grey’s. But this time, Isaac, Dave, Joe and Ben needed no help from Grey, Izzie or Dr. McDreamy launching straight to Billboard’s number one spot came their new self titled album. Despite unfavorable reviews from top music mags like Rolling Stone, the sophomore album continues to maintain peak positions on the charts weeks after its release. The opening track “Syndicate” is unambiguous Isaac Slade from the get go. His piano is cordial, his vocals familiar. After finishing the opening track with an uplifting guitar fronted bridge by Dave and Joe, the album continues through the less note-worthy songs on the album, introducing its transcendent second half. The captivating piano riff on the song “Where The Story Ends” is the first sign of matured melodies from the band. The chords are simple but mastered and the track is very repeatable. Next is the emotional ballad “Enough for Now” about a father awaiting the arrival of a son to take the honor that is his name. But as Isaac sings “The century before me, never could turn 21/ Years and years he waited, just watching for a son./ Someone to go ahead, to take the name instead./Years and years he waited, then a daughter came instead” darts the song into its solemn beauty. Emotions remain the same in “Ungodly Hour” the quintessential break-up song of the album. The next song “We Build Then We Break” could almost be misinterpreted as an entirely different band if it wasn’t for the vocals. The song is far more haunting with a you-murdered-someone-and-I-saw-you-do-it “In the Air Tonight” kind of vibe led by the pitter-patter of drums from Ben. Reverting back to the third quarter of the album that leaves emo kids all over clinging onto The Fray, we close with the acoustic “Happiness.” The song is ironically unhappy including the lyrics “Happiness feels a lot like sorrow/ Let it be, you can’t make it come or go.” Despite its critically speaking bad rap, this self titled album from The Fray is charming, emotional, cheerful and cheerless all at the same time. Though their sound may not have grown as most listeners anticipate from a second effort, there is something about the piano that is never to be underestimated or judged too harshly. And when you’re a band fronted by a piano, played by Isaac Slade it’s a little bit hard to be unlikable, Grey’s Anatomy mascot or not.
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