"The Fray" is an American rock band from Denver, Colorado. They started in 2002, formed by school friends Isaac Slade and Joe King. Their first album, "How to Save a Life," came out in 2005 through Epic Records. This album was very successful, getting a quadruple platinum certification in the United States. It was also certified platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The album's success was boosted by their first hit song, "Over My Head (Cable Car)," which reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
Another song from the album, "How to Save a Life," became even more popular, reaching number three on the same chart. This song was a hit in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Both songs earned Grammy Award nominations, with "Over My Head (Cable Car)" being nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and "How to Save a Life" for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.
Their second album, "The Fray," was released in 2009 and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart. It also received a platinum certification in the US and a gold certification in Australia and Canada. The lead single from this album, "You Found Me," became their third top-ten hit. The album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Despite the commercial success of their first two albums, critics gave mixed reviews.
The Fray was listed as number 84 on Billboard's Artists of the Decade list. Their third album, "Scars & Stories," released in 2012, and their fourth album, "Helios," released in 2014, both received mixed reviews and did not perform as well commercially. These albums peaked at numbers four and eight on the Billboard 200, respectively. In 2016, they released a greatest hits album called "Through the Years: The Best of The Fray," which was their last release with Epic Records.
In 2024, Isaac Slade left the band before they released a new single, "Time Well Wasted," which was their first release without a major label. The band's music has been described as serious, dramatic, cinematic, emotional, and dreamy. Their lyrics often explore themes of longing, regret, and emotional pain. Critics have compared their piano-driven sound to British bands like Coldplay and Keane. The Fray has cited Counting Crows, Better Than Ezra, and U2 as some of their main influences.
