The Fray, Epic Records, Grade: B

"We'd love to just be able to put out our version of (Radiohead's) Kid A. Go into extreme territory," said Fray guitarist Joe King. "We didn't want to take a massive left turn to where we're leaving our fans hanging."

Mission accomplished.

The Fray, in stores on Tuesday, is a mix of the familiar (the lead single, You Found Me) and movement forward.

As if How To Save A Life didn't have enough serious subject matter, The Fray goes really dark at times, including the lyrics to their best new song, Happiness: "Happiness damn near destroys you / Breaks your faith to pieces on the floor."

If nothing else, this sounds more like a band than ever, and despite some bumps in the road of recording, the songwriting is still solid, the melodies still memorable. Isaac Slade's voice has grown only more sure and strong, particularly on Say When.