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Fair to middling

The Fray / OK Go
Marcus Amphitheatre
Milwaukee, WI
June 30, 2007
The Fray
The Fray
OK Go
OK Go
The Fray
The Fray

Story and The Fray photos by Phil Bonyata
Photos of OK Go by Karen Bondowski

Denver quartet The Fray will never be accused of reinventing the wheel. The Fray are often compared to such ballad rich bands like Coldplay, Keane and The Wallfowers. Are they able to show a true identity or are they just a faceless act among the many? Playing in front of a two-thirds filled Marcus Amphitheatre on the third day of Summerfest (the world's largest music event) The Fray played the radio friendly "Over My head (Cable Car)." Pianist and lead singer Isaac Slade, looking comfortable in blue jeans, untucked flannel shirt and grey baseball cap, hit the high notes of the chorus with a rough-edged throatiness. While not an overly gifted singer, he was still able to command his limited vocal range with dirty gusto. While The Fray's simple ballads find a nice home in the ears - the bands' live performance is somewhat of a disappointment to the eyes. A performance of intimate and truly original music is a beauty to behold because the flair and discovery lies in the the veiled nuances and mysterious tonal, vocal and melodic shadows. The Frays' music is guilty of none of these things. It's straight-forward simple melodies that lack real depth and structure.

Guitarist and fellow songwriter Joe King, whose linear voice was a sturdy anchor to Slade's nasally delivery, tried on occasion to pick-up the musical introspection on the lyrically candid "Fall Away." The professional blandness continued on with the emo tinged "Dead Wrong." Ultimately, The Frays' music goes down easy and then evaporates after the first satisfying burp.

Openers, Chicago popsters OK Go's infectious blend of power pop and genuine love of the stage were evident on the dancerock nuggets "Get Over It," "Invincible" and on the ever catchy "Here It Goes Again." Question is - will OK Go's mid - level pop ever get them off the opening slot and finally become a headliner one day?

The Fray
The Fray
OK Go
OK Go
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
The Fray
OK Go
OK Go
OK Go
OK Go

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