Arts&Entertainment A loud whisper Audible Jonah Judy performs at Macy’s Leftovers A&E Critique Corner Helios by The Fray n 2008, the hit single “You Found Me” a singular guitar strum at the start, gradually by The Fray became the alternative rock transitioning into a solid chorus starring band’s third song to reach over 2 million Slade’s powerful vocals. The beat plays at a Idigital downloads within the United States faster pace than fans are acquainted to hearing alone. The band’s last album,Scars & Stories, from their revered artists. was released a little over two years ago with “Hurricane” adheres far more closely to 87,000 copies sold. Since then, producers The Fray’s previous albums, utilizing aggressive Stuart Price and Brendan O’Brien have been lyrics and a softer instrumental background. Guitarist Jonah Michea Judy performs at Macy’s Eurpoean Coffee House on hard at work to release The Both emphasize a rock ‘n’ roll style, however, Thursday Feb. 20. Judy will perform again at Bookman’s on April 12. (Photo by Fray’s new album, Helios. which has led fans to believe this is The Christina Flores) Isaac Slade said the album Fray’s experimental album. Whether they are BY TIM NUTTING numerous songs that left the audience was inspired by 16th-century resistant or accepting of what is to come from thinking. “Cream Lines” was enticing and full sailors who would plan their Helios, fans on both sides of the spectrum have onah Michea Judy graced Flagstaff with of angst. With such a crunchy and compressed journey for days, but would eagerly awaited the remaining nine tracks. his presence on Feb. 20, during a live sound, his vocals added an unfamiliar zest. then find themselves utterly The Fray may be switching up their lost. method slightly, but to label the group a Jmusical performance at Macy’s European “Lights Won’t Quit” was a slow and relaxing KENDRA Coffee House. tune that gave the most emotion. The track CRAIGHEAD Over the recent summer, mainstream sell-out would definitely be an Judy is an artist who leaves the yearning was a catalyst to paint a picture and tell a Slade, Joseph King, Ben exaggeration. Slade’s voice is unmistakably soul wanting more. 2003 marked the birth story to the audience. The softness and airy Wysocki and Dave Welsh his own and in “Love Don’t Die,” it comes of his music career and he has been touring quality of “Iron and Wine” felt like a breath began work on a contemporary hurtling through the speakers and reminds relentlessly ever since. Judy has taken the of fresh air. The rich and pleasant tone was an album that will feature music written by the audience why they fell in love with The stage of countless venues. His most recent uplifting trip with a spectacular view of the Slade and King, constituting 11 songs that Fray in the first place. “Love Don’t Die” and album, Night, the Different Painting, was Earth below. embody a total duration of 45 minutes. The “Hurricane” represent the old and the new released in 2012 by Hunnicut Records. Judy Of his set, “Selu” hit a specific nerve. Helios highlighted single “Love Don’t Die” together on one album, which is not so much recorded his first two albums, Taste Escape Exhibiting melancholy at its finest, Judy debuted Oct. 15 of this past year. The song experimental as it is more transitional. and Milk Sink, with the same label. sang about an unexpected pain he had “Hurricane” was recently leaked from the new As currently compared to other bands His style of music was perplexing at experienced. The chords were as smooth and album and, although it has not been officially within the genre, a lot of focus has shifted first. It was hard to make out what genre or simplistic as can be. released, those who compare the two songs to the homogeneity between The Fray and approach Jonah took with his performance. Although his overall presence was are suddenly skeptical as to how the album is One Republic. As it stands, fans are making He sounded a bit alternative with a nice, slightly anti-climactic, the music spoke for going to cohesively sound. the accusation that The Fray has muddled its blues twist. His tone was quiet and subtle, itself. Inserting a lovely whistle here and “Love Don’t Die” has come under a lot of unique sound to better represent the popular but he projected it to a full yell sporadically. there, his songs were a pleasant surprise. YouTube scrutiny due to its deviation from the radio hits of One Republic, such as “Counting His hollow, raspy voice only slightly made up Among the chattering kids and adults band’s typical style. Words like “mainstream” St ar s .” for the lackluster emotion he had on stage. enjoying a fine cup of coffee, Judy offered a and “sell-out” can be found scattered Ultimately, Helios has generated active It almost sounded as if he was whispering at rare musical experience. At random, several throughout online comment bars. Usually, a discussion which will only be fueled further by full volume. While his voice could have been audience members accompanied his music piano ballad would organize the underlying its recent release. The songs “Love Don’t Die” a bit more prominent, his guitar skills were with dance. track or serve as the introduction — or and “Hurricane” have already given rise to not to be trifled with. The chords contained For more of Jonah Michea Judy, visit occasionally conclusion — to the majority clashing opinions. Regardless, it would seem much fluidity, with a nice flurry of notes that jonahmicheajudy.com. He will return to of The Fray’s compositions. However, “Love that a new era of The Fray is already being left an impression on the viewers. Flagstaff with a performance at Bookman’s Don’t Die” abandons that tradition whole- ushered in, with or without fans’ consent. Off of his recent album, Judy played on April 12. heartedly. The song builds on itself, using only Feb. 27, 2014 – Mar. 5, 2014 | The Lumberjack27 .