The Fray's piano pop hits girl target but lacks energy

The Fray can boast the most downloaded album in history and two of the most ubiquitous pop songs of the past year.

Monday night at Target Center, the Fray earned another distinction: The Denver pop band provided the answer to where have all the 'N Sync fans gone.

When the Fray played at Cities 97's Basilica Block Party last July, the place was packed with 20- and 30-something women. Since then, the Fray's "Over My Head" and "How to Save a Life" crossed over to Top 40 radio stations KDWB and KS-95. That explains why tween and teen girls, the ones who were fawning over boy bands just a few years ago, filled Target Center.

The young women had their cellphones ready for photo ops or to broadcast to other friends when the Fray sang their two hits. The only other time the girls got excited was when the Fray did an acoustic rendition of -- go figure -- Shakira's "Hips Don't Lie." Well, at least this steadfastedly earnest band finally showed a sense of humor. And the fellows followed with an ad hoc "Happy Birthday" for their bassist Daniel, who was playing his first show with the band.

Actually, this was the opening night of the Fray's first arena-headlining tour, which will visit 36 other cities. There were no discernible opening-night kinks -- just the same old problem that plagues the Fray. Too many medium-tempo songs. Dave Welsh's guitar tried to add some different textures, but frankly it didn't make enough of a difference.

The most successful ploy at mixing it up was letting guitarist Joe King take over the vocals, bringing an almost U2-like vibe. When high-voiced piano man Isaac Slade was singing, the Fray's piano-propelled rock suggested Coldplay (Coldfray anyone?). But Slade, 26, is the most faceless frontman of a hit rock group. If he wasn't wearing his Army-green cap, would any of the 9,557 concertgoers have recognized him in a hall at Target Center?

Moreover, to make it as a piano rock star, it helps to have some energy. Slade got up from the keyboard just once to implore the crowd. By contrast, Coldplay's Chris Martin is a charming cheerleader in concert in the tradition of Elton John and Billy Joel. Thankfully, the Fray's lights, mostly displayed on a multi-textured backdrop, provided the much-needed energy and visual stimulation.

With only one album ("How To Save a Life") to its name, the Fray had to search elsewhere for material to fill out the 90 minutes. The quintet dredged up "Together" from an early EP, which brought a heavy, more prog-rock sound. The fellows introduced a few new tunes -- including the vaguely bluegrass-y "Dixie," the closest thing that could be called uptempo -- and encored with the can't-miss-crowd pleaser, Oasis' "Wonderwall."

Still, in the end, as an arena headliner, the Fray seemed in over its head.

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719 • popmusic@startribune.com