I pretty much have no shame. So when I tell you that I enjoy The Fray, I say it with only a tiny shred of embarrassment. Sure, they’re slick, sure lead singer Isaac Slade can over-emote (and occasionally forget to enunciate), sure “How To Save A Life” was damn near inescapable for a solid YEAR. However, the fact that the song suffered from that much overplay and I STILL like it says a lot for how strong it is.
Anyhoo, The Fray are getting set to release their third studio album, Scars and Stories, in February 2012. Notably, the album finds them being produced by Brendan O’Brien, who’s worked with…well, let’s scrap the resume for now and just say he’s worked with every damn body. The first single, “Heartbeat”, was released to radio a week and a half or so ago, and…it’s pretty solid. The band sounds a little more muscular (read: not as wimpy), and it’s certainly hooky enough that you can hear it in your imagination coming out of hundreds of thousands of radios around the country. Check it out for yourself and leave a comment with your opinion!
3 comments
Drew says:
Oct 17, 2011
I like The Fray about as much as I can like a band who’s albums I’ll never buy, actually. And I don’t mean that as damning with faint praise, I actually do tend to enjoy their singles more often than not. (Well, with the notable exception of “Over My Head”, which I feel did not get them off to a good start.) I dig this one – a little more along the lines of “You Found Me” (my favorite single by them to date), a little more muscular, and for better or for worse, Slade’s high note in the chorus sounds an awful lot like Chris Martin’s falsetto.
blerd says:
Oct 17, 2011
They’ve always been kind of the American Coldplay to me. Well, maybe not as grandiose. But similar.
Brittany B says:
Dec 14, 2011
Their music is so easily likable! Catchy, good hooks and solid, strong lyrics. “Heartbeat” is the perfect example and I think it’s a really nice single and introduction to “Scars and Stories.” The video is just as good and very fitting, too! http://www.vevo.com/watch/the-fray/heartbeat/USSM21101862?source=instantsearch.