Formed in 2001 by lead singer Dov Rosenblatt, the band's debut album, My Awakening (2003), sold more than 14,000 copies, an uncommon feat in the limited Jewish market, and became a runaway hit.
[2] They performed at Camp Moshava in Indian Orchard, Pennsylvania, an event later recalled by The Current editor emeritus David Fine.
[5][10][11] At the time of My Awakening's release, lead singer Dov Rosenblatt identified Blue Fringe's sound as "pop rock with a lot of funk influences".
[3] Blue Fringe was initially known for its youth appeal, with The Forward's Alexander Gelfand noting that "were it not for the Jewish themes and religious imagery that pervade the group’s English and Hebrew lyrics, you could imagine the band popping up on the soundtrack to a teen drama on The CW, or making the rounds of the ringtone-download scene.
"[3] This aspect became less prominent over time; Liel Leibovitz of The Jewish Week said that 70 Faces contained less of the previous album's "spirited pop sensibilities" and was instead "heavy with bluesy jams and roaming compositions",[1] while former PopMatters contributor Mike Mineo called The Whole World Lit Up "the band's most mature effort yet.