I will now judge artists (and their fans) based on 30-second iTunes samples
Disclaimer: You are welcome to like The Fray, and listen to their music, and sing along to it, and put it in your profiles and away messages and have parties celebrating them.
HOWEVER if you believe that they are doing something new and original, I invite you to join me in the following exercise:
Go to the iTunes Store, and play the 30-second sample of How To Save A Life. Keep that sound in your head and immediately play the 30-second sample of "3 am" by Matchbox 20. Hear any similarities? Good.
THEN go listen to How To Save A Life again, and with that sound in your head, listen to the 30-second sample of Clocks by Coldplay.
IN CONCLUSION
The Fray = Coldplay + Matchbox 20.
QED!
HOWEVER if you believe that they are doing something new and original, I invite you to join me in the following exercise:
Go to the iTunes Store, and play the 30-second sample of How To Save A Life. Keep that sound in your head and immediately play the 30-second sample of "3 am" by Matchbox 20. Hear any similarities? Good.
THEN go listen to How To Save A Life again, and with that sound in your head, listen to the 30-second sample of Clocks by Coldplay.
IN CONCLUSION
The Fray = Coldplay + Matchbox 20.
QED!