The Fray is a Denver-based quartet who has made a big impression on the indie scene in America with their uniquely sounding addition to the genre of piano rock. While some critics have likened them to a slightly rockier Coldplay, I’d put them in a different box to Coldplay. The main reason is that Coldplay’s songs are kinda instantly likeable whereas The Fray’s gotta work a little harder, mainly because of the lead singer’s “interesting” voice. Interesting as in “I couldn’t care less if I was a tad off-key there.”

As Rolling Stone said: “The debut from this Denver quartet blends piano-based Brit-pop swooning and scruffy alt-rock melancholia, as if that Keane guy were backed by the Counting Crows.” The group was formed in 2002 by Isaac Slade (vocals, piano) and Joe King (guitar, vocals), with drummer Ben Wysocki and guitarist Dave Welsh soon joining the line-up. The first single from the album, “Over My Head (Cable Car),” climbed into the top 10 on the Billboard singles chart, has been certified platinum, and was streamed more than a million times on MySpace in just one month. Indeed, MySpace has been good to the band: they've been streamed over 16 million times.

Follow-up single and current Jacaranda 94.2 favourite “How To Save A Life” was inspired by Slade's experience as a mentor to a crack addicted teen. Apart from the song featuring in the television show Grey's Anatomy, The Fray is one of the most licensed bands of 2006 in the USA with their music being featured on Scrubs, Grey's Anatomy, NCIS and a host of other television programmes. One Tree Hill and Bones as well as in HBO's summer promos.

The band chose their name "The Fray" from a suggestion bowl that was placed at a graduation party for Caleb Slade. The members of the band first claimed that they found the name suitable because they frequently quarreled over the composition of the lyrics in their songs. However, they have since stated that the band is usually on good terms while composing music, and acknowledges contributions from all of its members.

But is there more to The Fray than the first two excellent singles? Hell yes. The set of songs on their debut album reveal an ability to write songs that are intimate and emotional. Witness “Heaven Forbid:” “Heaven forbid you end up alone and don’t know why… Hold on tight, wait for tomorrow, you’ll be alright.” And how about “This is going to break me clean in two. This is going to bring me close to you,” on “She is.” There’s a lot to be discovered on this album, a lot of advice… from a bunch of youngsters who happen to be musicians. Sometimes, to get through life, all you need to do is listen.