How to Save a Life

The Fray

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 13, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000AA301G
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (191 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #443 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #52 in	Music > Pop > Adult Alternative
  #55 in	Music > Classic Rock

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On their full-length debut, Denver quartet the Fray don't exactly reinvent the wheel, but those looking for melodic, mid-tempo pop could do far worse. That said, the 12 songs on Top 40 hit How To Save a Life are barely distinguishable from each other. If you like one, you'll probably like the rest (and you'll be in the company of thousands of other listeners.) If you don't like one, it's unlikely the others will change your mind. Formed in 2002 and signed by Epic in 2004, the band consists of Isaac Slade (vocals, piano), Joe King (guitar, vocals), Ben Wysocki (drums), and Dave Welsh (guitar). Since their formation, the Fray have elicited comparisons to British groups like Coldplay and Keane, and American ones like Counting Crows and the Wallflowers. They've also toured with Weezer and Ben Folds and had songs--like first single "Over My Head (Cable Car)"--featured on such popular programs as Grey's Anatomy. Though they incorporate guitar, unlike Keane, Slade's expert piano playing is prominent on every track. To his credit, he can also hit the high notes just as gracefully as Coldplay's Chris Martin, but therein lies the rub: As with the band as a whole, Slade hasn't quite found his own voice yet. How To Save a Life is polished and professional, bland and inoffensive. It goes down easy, but evaporates into the ether just as quickly. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Product Description

Enhanced Australian pressing of this single, pulled from the Denver band's album of the same name. Since the album's release in 2005, sales have continued to grow based on word-of-mouth praise from fans, great reviews and a strong internet presence. Features three versions of 'How To Save A Life': New Album Version, Acoustic Version and Enhanced Video. Epic. 2006. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

170 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Might Not Know Them Yet..., September 19, 2005

By	Mr. Censored (Maine) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

...But I get the feeling we're gonna be hearing a lot of these guys very soon.

The Fray are one of those rare bands that comes along who instantly stick in your head and force you to fall in love. To best describe their style, you could say they sound like a combination between Coldplay and Jimmy Eat World. But that description simply doesn't do their music justice. You could compare them to a thousand bands, and never quite hit the nail on the head. The fact of the matter is, The Fray play pure, honest rock music with heart.

My first experience with The Fray was seeing them open up for Weezer this past July. Having not heard a single note of theirs before the concert, I had no idea what to expect. But as soon as they kicked in with the first song, "She Is" (which is also the first song here), I knew I had just discovered something very special. After the concert, I picked up a copy of "The Reason" EP (which is rather hard to come by otherwise) and listened to it twice over the ride home and I was hooked. With those seven songs and the single "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (which had an odd position on the "Stealth" soundtrack) being the only things to feast on, I was very anxious for this release. I had high hopes for this album, the kinds of hopes that were just asking to be crushed.

But one listen to this CD, just like their live show, and I was sold. Aside from the production being better than "The Reason," the overall sound and feel of "How To Save A Life" is drastically improved. The material here isn't as dark and the songs are a little more traditional. If you've heard "Over My Head" and you enjoy it, I highly recommend buying this album. Each and every song has something special, each song has an instantly memorable chorus. Any song on this album could very well be a hit single, that's how strong it is! "All At Once," "Fall Away" and the previously mentioned "She Is" and "Over My Head" are the kind of songs that will instantly suck you in. Meanwhile, the more subtle and beautiful title track and the painfully sweet ballad "Look After You" creep into your head and will have you randomly humming throughout your daily routine. "Look After You" is easily my pick as the standout song. I don't usually dig the sappy stuff, but this song has so much meaning behind it, one look at the lyrics will send shivers down your spine. But then again, a lot of The Fray's music will have that effect on you!

I hate to sound like someone who is just raving, but this is seriously the best album to come along this year. It's 100 percent heartfelt, honest and original. It's very rare that something this pure comes along. I would really be surprised if this album didn't hit and The Fray didn't go on to bigger things. "How To Save A Life" is the kind of album anyone who loves music can enjoy.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Promising Original Debut, March 14, 2006

By	Demon Deacon - See all my reviews

I watched The Fray open for Ben Folds at Furman University last fall and was blown away. The vocals, lyrics, and musicianship were superb and when I heard "Over My Head (Cable Car)" for the first time, I became an immediate fan. Here is my review for How to Save A Life:

1. She Is- This fast-paced tune is a solid opener for the album. Lead singer Isaac Slide's vocals are instantly likeable. 8.5/10
2. Over My Head (Cable Car)- This song was originally called Cable Car but was changed to "Over My Head" in order to make the song name more recognizable. This song started out as my favorite and still is. The piano is amazing, the vocals are incredible, and I love the lyrics. 10/10
3. How to Save A Life- A slower song which picks up a little ways into the song. Very good song and great chorus. 9/10
4. All At Once- Great lyrics in this one as Slide talks about how sometimes one has to make hard decisions in a relationship. 8.5/10
5. Fall Away- I love this song and it's a close 2nd to Cable Car. Great backup vocals in this one. 9.75/10
6. Heaven Forbid- Not spectacular but still is a great addition to the album. Isaac changes keys in this one a few times which is pretty cool. 8/10
7. Look After You- I remember The Fray performing this song when I saw them live and it was incredible. When Isaac sang the chorus, he included the crowd singing without instruments and it was incredible. 9.5/10
8. Hundred- A slower song which is very nice, but not a standout. 8/10
9. Vienna- My favorite slower song on the album. The lyrics are very sad and talk about how there is "Really no way to reach me, cause i'm already gone." 9.5
10. Dead Wrong- I like the chord progression on the piano in this one a lot. A great song. 9/10
11. Little House- The shortest song on the album ups the tempo a little bit from the previous couple of songs. Sweet. 8.5/10
12. Trust Me- I love his voice on this one and it is showcased throughout. Average song with great vocals and a good closer to a great debut. 8/10

This is a great first record from The Fray and I can only hope that their followup album will continue to improve on this debut.

Overall: 8.9/10, 5 Stars.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a CD!, September 22, 2006

By	ladym (Az, United States) - See all my reviews

If you like songs that tug at your heart, make you think, make you cry, make you remember, or if you just like that melancholy sound then you will love this cd.

I first heard the song "How to save a life" on Grey's Anatomy and I was hooked.
I didn't go right out and by the cd because I didn't want to waste my money like I have in the past.

You know the story... You fall in love with a song, go buy the cd and that one song was the only good song on the whole cd and the rest just suck.

Well this was not the case.
I went on Rhapsody and listened to the cd a few times and I loved almost every song right away.

So if you like the slower sound of music with some powerful lyrics GET THIS CD!