The Fray

For other uses, see Fray (disambiguation).

The Fray
The Fray in 2014
The Fray in 2014
Background information
OriginDenver, Colorado, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyThe Fray discography
Years active2002–present
LabelsEpic
Members
Past members
  • Isaac Slade
  • Mike Ayars
  • Zach Johnson
  • Caleb Slade
  • Graham Vanderbilt
  • Dan Battenhouse
Websitewww.thefray.com

The Fray is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado, formed in 2002 by schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their debut studio album, How to Save a Life (2005) was released by Epic Records and received quadruple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as well as platinum certification in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Its release was supported by their first hit single, "Over My Head (Cable Car)", which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. The band saw their furthest success with the song's follow-up, "How to Save a Life", which peaked at number three on the chart and was also a hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Both songs received Grammy Award nominations: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group, respectively.

The group's self-titled second album (2009) debuted atop the Billboard 200,[2] and received platinum certification by the RIAA, and gold certification in Australia and Canada. Led by their third top ten single, "You Found Me", the album also received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.[3] While both albums were commercially successful, critical reception was generally mixed. The Fray was ranked No. 84 on Billboard's Artists of the Decade list.[4] Their third and fourth albums, Scars & Stories (2012) and Helios (2014) were both met with continued mixed reception and trailing commercial response, peaking at numbers four and eight on the Billboard 200, respectively. The band's greatest hits album, Through the Years: The Best of the Fray (2016), served as their final release with Epic. Slade left the band in 2022, and the band returned as a trio to release their sixth extended play (EP), The Fray Is Back (2024).

The Fray's mood has been described as austere, theatrical, cinematic, poignant, and ethereal; their lyrical content is based around introspection, with themes of yearning, regret, and angst.[5][6][7][8] The band's use of the piano as the lead instrument in their music has led critics to compare the band with similar British bands such as Coldplay and Keane. The band lists its influences as Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra, and U2.[9]

  1. ^ Friedman, Stan. "Into the Fray". The Fish Christian Entertainment Reviews. Archived from the original on December 13, 2009.
  2. ^ Kreps, Daniel. "On the Charts: Springsteen Slips to Second as the Fray Lock Up Number One". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  3. ^ "Nominees". GRAMMY.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  4. ^ "Artists of the Decade". Billboard.com. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  5. ^ "The Fray | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Hoard, Christian. "Album Reviews: The Fray". RollingStone.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  7. ^ Sendra, Tim. "The Fray: How to Save a Life: AllMusic Review". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  8. ^ Oliver, Nic. "The Fray: The Fray". MusicOMH.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  9. ^ "The Fray Biography". TheTabWorld.com. Retrieved February 13, 2010.