The Fray - Helios

Published Monday 27th April 2015
The Fray - Helios
The Fray - Helios

STYLE: Rock
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 154100-22965
LABEL: Epic
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Rob Birtley

The Fray, of course, had an international pop hit with "How To Save A Life". Now on their fourth album their use of piano as lead instrument has led to comparisons with English piano-driven bands such as Coldplay and Keane and on this set you can also detect the influence of Counting Crows and U2. 'Helios' opens with "Hold My Hand", a haunting song with an impassioned vocal from Isaac Slade while "Love Don't Die" combines the sounds of guitar, drums and breaks that's almost electro/pop and has some maddeningly catchy lyrics and a hook that burrows deep into your brain. "Give It Away" adds an eclectic mix of funk and a touch of Maroon 5 to the album and "Hurricane" though there's no denying it's about boy meets girl song, has something of a Hillsong-style electronic worship about it. "Keep On Wanting" co-written with Brett James speeds full throttle into U2 territory while the title track is more than keyboard- driven indie/pop. Yes, the album is chock full of influences and déjà vu moments but it still grips and all in all is a fine piece of work.

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