Critical Reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | |
| Blender | |
| Entertainment.ie | |
| Entertainment Weekly | C+ |
| Jesus Freak Hideout | |
| HM Magazine | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Sputnikmusic | (4/5) |
| Stylus Magazine | D |
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).
Allmusic, whilst giving the album a modestly positive review, stated that the band "lacked originality" and the album itself lacked any "inspiration and excitement". 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." Rolling Stone and Blender echoed many of these statements, both giving the album three stars out of five.
Sputnikmusic criticised the negative reviews, stating "there may be some skeptics who say it's just another mainstream band with no talent.....take one listen through the entire album and you might be pleasantly surprised with the outcome." Jesus Freak Hideout gave the album a glowing review, stating "How to Save Life is nearly perfect. Nearly every song's message contains key values and life' lessons."
Read more about this topic: How To Save A Life
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