How to Save a Life (album)
| How to Save a Life | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 13, 2005 | |||
| Recorded | 2005 | |||
| Studio | Echo Park Studios (Bloomington, Indiana); Sony Music Studios (New York City, New York); Coupe Studios (Boulder, Colorado); FTM Studios (Lakewood, Colorado). | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock, pop rock | |||
| Length | 45:56 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Aaron Johnson, Mike Flynn | |||
| The Fray chronology | ||||
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| Singles from How to Save a Life | ||||
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How to Save a Life is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band The Fray. Released on September 13, 2005, by Epic Records, the album peaked within the top 15 of the Billboard 200 and was a top ten hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. Its first two singles, "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life", both became hit songs and led the band to mainstream recognition.[1]
Critical responses to How to Save a Life were mixed, with some critics complimenting its similarities in style to British piano-driven bands like Keane and Coldplay, but in turn disparaging its unoriginality, as well as its schmaltzy and self-pitying lyrics. The album received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was also certified platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK; it became the best-selling digital album of all time until Eminem's Recovery (2010), breaking the record held previously by Coldplay's X&Y (2005).[2][3][4] Billboard listed the album on their Best Digital Albums of the Decade list – at number 21.[5]
Background
[edit]After independently releasing two EPs, The Fray were looking for a record company to release a full-length album. The band released their song "Cable Car" to Denver radio station KTCL, and the song saw significant airplay.[6] Denver alternative newsweekly Westword named the band "Best New Band" in 2004, and this prompted Epic Records A&R man Mike Flynn to sign the band to a recording contract on December 17, 2004.[7] The album was recorded over six weeks in Echo Park Studios in Bloomington, Indiana, and was produced by Aaron Johnson and Mike Flynn.[8] Former bass guitar player Dan Battenhouse left the band a year before entering the studio; Jake Smith, former lead singer and guitarist of the band The Mysteries of Life, took over bass guitar duties.
Critical reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [9] |
| Blender | [10] |
| Entertainment.ie | [11] |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+[12] |
| HM Magazine | [13] |
| Rolling Stone | [14] |
| Stylus Magazine | D[15] |
Overall, critical reception for the album was mixed. The piano-oriented sound of the album drew comparisons with British piano-rock band Keane, and Coldplay (whose music – although classified as alternative – is driven by the piano).[14][16]
AllMusic, whilst giving the album a modestly positive review, stated that the band "lacked originality" and the album itself lacked any "inspiration and excitement".[9] Stylus Magazine gave the album a negative review, stating "The Fray, as a rule, are moribund, emotionally strained, uninvolving, and have a tendency to sound like The Cranberries fronted by a man."[15] Rolling Stone and Blender echoed many of these statements, both giving the album three stars out of five.[10][14]
Track listing
[edit]Original release
[edit]All tracks are written by Isaac Slade and Joe King, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "She Is" | 3:56 | |
| 2. | "Over My Head (Cable Car)" | 3:58 | |
| 3. | "How to Save a Life" | 4:23 | |
| 4. | "All at Once" | Slade, King, Aaron Johnson | 3:48 |
| 5. | "Fall Away" | Slade, King, Dan Battenhouse | 4:23 |
| 6. | "Heaven Forbid" | 3:59 | |
| 7. | "Look After You" | 4:28 | |
| 8. | "Hundred" | Slade, Monica Conway | 4:13 |
| 9. | "Vienna" | Slade, King, Battenhouse | 3:51 |
| 10. | "Dead Wrong" | Slade, King, Mike Flynn | 3:05 |
| 11. | "Little House" | 2:30 | |
| 12. | "Trust Me" | 3:22 | |
| Total length: | 45:56 | ||
Bonus track
[edit]In later editions, an extra track was added:
- "Unsaid" – 3:05
Bonus CD
[edit]- "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (Live at the Gothic (May 20, 2005))
- "How to Save a Life" (Live for MTV.com & VH1.com (July 14, 2005))
- "Look After You" (Live at Red Rocks (08.12.2005))
- "Heaven Forbid" (Live at Red Rocks (08.12.2005))
Bonus DVD
[edit]- How to Save a Life (The Story)
- On The Road 2006 (Documentary)
- "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (Music Video)
- "Over My Head (Cable Car)" (Making the video)
Personnel
[edit]The Fray
- Isaac Slade – lead vocals, acoustic piano
- Dave Welsh – lead guitars
- Joe King – rhythm guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Heaven Forbid"
- Ben Wysocki – drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- Jake Smith – bass
- Dan Battenhouse – bass on "How to Save a Life"
- Suzie Katayama – string arrangements and conductor on "Look After You"
Production
[edit]- Mike Flynn – producer, A&R
- Aaron Johnson – producer, additional engineer
- Paul Mahern – recording, Pro Tools editing
- Kevin Loyal – recording assistant
- James Masterson – recording assistant
- Tim Hoagland – additional engineer
- Warren Huart – additional Pro Tools editing, drum recording (3)
- Clark Germain – string recording (7)
- Mark Endert – mixing at Scream Studios (Studio City, California)
- Alex Uychocde – mix assistant
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering at Marcussen Mastering (Hollywood, California)
- Michelle Holme – art direction
- Nathan Johnson – front and back cover artwork
- Zach Johnson – hand lettering
- The Crackerfarm – packaging
- Jason Ienner – management
- Gregg Latterman – management
Release
[edit]The album was released on September 13, 2005 by Epic Records. While the album did not make a splash commercially or critically initially, the success of "Over My Head (Cable Car)" propelled the album from the Top Heatseekers chart to the top 20 of The Billboard 200 chart. The release of the second single, "How to Save a Life", a world-wide smash, helped the album enter the top 5 in several charts across the world, and brought The Fray mainstream popularity.[17] The song remains the band's best known and most successful song to date.
Singles
[edit]- "Over My Head (Cable Car)" was released as the first single from the album and from the soundtrack to the science fiction action film Stealth (which was released 2 months before their debut album), and it became a top 40 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in late 2005. It lasted three weeks on the chart and peaked at position #37.[18] The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[19] On the Billboard Adult Top 40 chart, the single reached the #2 position.[20] Internationally, the song was a Top 25 hit in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. The song was the fifth-most downloaded single of 2006.[21]
- "How to Save a Life" was released as the second single from the album. The song reached the top three of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, surpassing the peak position of "Over My Head (Cable Car)". It became the joint sixth longest charting single of all time on the Billboard Hot 100, tying with Santana's "Smooth", at 58 consecutive weeks. The song also topped the Adult Top 40 chart for 15 consecutive weeks. "How to Save a Life" became a major hit internationally, topping the singles chart in Ireland, Spain and Canada.[22] The song also charted in the top five in Australia, Italy, Sweden and in the UK Singles Chart.[23]
- "Look After You" was released as the band's third single; the song peaked at position 59 in the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's first single to miss the Top 40. The song peaked at #49 on Billboard Pop 100 and at #12 on the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks.
- "All at Once" was released as the fourth and final single from the album. It peaked at #20 on the Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks chart.
Awards and nominations
[edit]- The album won all three awards in the digital category at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards: Digital Album of the Year, Digital Album Artist of the Year and Digital Songs Artist of the Year while the band was nominated for New Artist of the Year.[24]
- The first two singles, "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life" were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal respectively in 2007.[25]
- The band was also nominated for a Choice Music: Breakout Group award at the 2007 Teen Choice Awards.[24]
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA)[48] | Platinum | 70,000^ |
| Canada (Music Canada)[49] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[51] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[52] | 4× Platinum | 4,000,000‡ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "The Fray Biography". Activemusician.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eminem-sets-new-record-with-one-million-in-digital-albums-sales-of-his-2010-album-recovery-125028409.html
- ^ "The Fray: 'How To Save A Life' Now The Biggest Selling Digital Album Of All Time!". Sony BMG. Archived from the original on October 8, 2009.
- ^ "The digital success of The Fray (3:38)". Reuters.
- ^ "Billboard – Music Charts, Music News, Artist Photo Gallery & Free Video". Billboard.
- ^ Smith, Dane (March 30, 2006). "The Fray Live the High "Life"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 15, 2006.
- ^ The Ear (May 12, 2006). "Completely Frayed". Longmont Daily Times-Call.
- ^ "The Fray Trivia & Quotes". TV.com. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Sendra, Tim. "How to Save a Life – The Fray". Last accessed October 23, 2006
- ^ a b Hunter, James (November 2005). "Review: The Fray – How to Save a Life". Blender. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
- ^ "The Fray – How to Save a Life". Entertainment.ie. March 13, 2007.
- ^ Jason Adams (September 9, 2005). "How to Save a Life Review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009.
- ^ Callaway, Chris (January–February 2007). "The Fray How to Save a Life". HM Magazine (123): 64. ISSN 1066-6923.
- ^ a b c "Review: The Fray – How to Save a Life". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2005. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Dom Passantino (February 14, 2006). "The Fray – How to Save a Life – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on May 15, 2006. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ Gardner, Elysa (July 12, 2006). "Debut 'How to Save a Life' takes on a life of its own". USA Today.
- ^ "The Fray Biography". Starpulse.com. February 7, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
- ^ "Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. October 22, 2005.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. October 7, 2006.
- ^ "Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks". Billboard. October 7, 2006.
- ^ "First half sales: Downloads up; CDs, revenues down". USA Today. July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007.
- ^ "The Fray – How to Save a Life: Charts". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Last accessed May 12, 2007
- ^ "The Fray – their story to date". Archived from the original on May 8, 2008. Last accessed May 12, 2007
- ^ a b "Fray Awards & Features". Metrolyrics.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "49th Grammy Awards – 2007". Rock on the Net. Last accessed February 22, 2007.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – The Fray – How to Save a Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Fray Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Fray – How to Save a Life" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Fray – How to Save a Life" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Fray". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Fray Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Fray Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2006". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2007". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top Selling Albums of 2007". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2007". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2007 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Music Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ "British album certifications – The Fray – How to Save a Life". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ "American album certifications – The Fray – How to Save a Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
