The Fray have slipped into a hole.
By this, I mean they have truly discovered their "sound" on the third album; a mistake that select bands make by being too consistent. The artist(s) loses much originality by doing this. Producer Brendan O'Brien (Incubus, Stone Temple Pilots) seems to have an influence over the band though, steering the group away from Coldplay comparisons, and instead into a more guitar-based direction; something that fans could be disappointed about. With lead single Heartbeat, we hear Issac Slade's signature cry over a band playing their parts a bit too enthusiastically. There is simply too much commotion. To say that the Fray are still making effortless and timeless hits like 'How to Save a Life' would be a very, very long stretch of the truth.
As the Fray decide to attempt to wiggle in the small space they've created for themselves, the danceable track, Turn Me On proves awkward for anyone familiar with Issac and his piano, as the band has nixed it completely at this point. The lyrics don't seem to line up either; something about running away from family into the arms of a lover. Even more unorthodox, the post-punk Hear We Are gives off a provocative vibe that no one is quite ready for.
With inspiration coming from vacations to third-world countries, the stories still roll out with every tune, but even the most keen listener would not be able to read between the lines of Slade's clichés . What the Fray lacks on Scars & Stories is something that they used to be very good at, and that was giving us songs to sing along to. With less anticipation than it's predecessor, it is difficult to decide if our boys tried too hard this time around, or didn't try enough.
RATING: 5/10
I would have to say I disagree with this. Although the album does seem to come on to listeners as a less hyped up track listing and less danceable music, it does fit accordingly to the times that they have been going through together. As they age and start to wind down, so does their music. It is evident and has been since the release of the last album that they are slowing down and not necessarily trying to gain a new audience, but trying to just bring their old audience along with them in this journey we all call life. "Our boys" don't try to squeeze out new albums for the hell of it, they slowly let an album build and release it when their ready. That is how they have always done things, and exactly how us fans have come to know and love them. 5/10 if you were expecting another hit sensation on the radio no one would ever forget or danceable tracks to rock out to at their concert. 8/10 if you are one of those once again touched by their words and lyrics meant to cause all of us to think about this world in a different light.
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