Copious Notes

The Fray are singer and pianist Isaac Slade, guitarist Dave Welsh, guitarist and singer Joe King and drummer Ben Wysocki.

Review: The Fray, The Fray

Doesn’t Isaac Slade ever want to rock? Is he or any of his bandmates in The Fray ever happy?

These questions start to fill your brain emerging from the numbing march of mid-tempo tunes that populate the band’s self-titled sophomore album. It’s not so much that any of these numbers is bad. The Fray, after all, wrote one of the great soft rockers with the title track from 2005’s debut, How to Save a Life. But this follow up makes you wonder if there is anything else in the arsenal for these guys.

The closest thing to a yes comes on track nine out of 10, with We Build Then We Break in which lead guitarist Dave Welsh finally gets to break free with a gritty solo. But, like the lead-off single, You Found Me, and Save a Life, most of the album is empathetic ballads about loss and pain. In mood and sound, The Fray are reminiscent of Counting Crows. But Adam Duritz & Co. always had their Mr. Joneses to match their ‘Round Heres.

It’s a bit of a shame for Christian music fans and the industry, because after achieving mainstream success, The Fray turned around and embraced the faith-based market with a Christian distribution deal. It would be nice if they brought a bit more to the table here. A poor sophomore album won’t kill a band with a couple of big hit singles. But Slade & Co. shouldn’t be allowed to record again without some more diversity in their tunes.

Grammy winners: They didn’t hand out many Grammy Awards on the Grammy broadcast Sunday night, and none in the Gospel categories. So, if you haven’t seen them yet, here are the winners:

Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album: Kirk Franklin, The Fight of My Life

Best Traditional Gospel Album: The Blind Boys of Alabama, Down in New Orleans

Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album: Gaither Vocal Band, Lovin’ Life

Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: CeCe Winans, Thy Kingdom Come

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album: TobyMac, Alive and Transported

Best Gospel Song: Kirk Franklin, Help Me Believe

Best Gospel Performance: Mary Mary, Get Up

Volunteers needed: The Winter Jam Tour, which brings TobyMac, Hawk Nelson and others to Rupp on March 7, is seeking volunteers to do things such as work at artist merchandise tables. The downside is you won’t be able to see the show. But if you want to get involved, contact Tim Gerst at (859) 494-7280 or timothy@premierproductions.com.

If you just want to go to the show, it starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $10 at the door.