It seems that I am always going backwards. I find an album that I like from a group that is not really new. I inevitably find it so charming that I move back through an artist or groups past efforts in search of more enjoyment. In the case of Train that is exactly what has happened. . . again. I remember their first hit single Meet Virginia a few years back. I remember seeing that video with Rebecca Gayheart in it, like a million times. While I thought the song was catchy, it was not enough to get me to purchase the album. That was a huge mistake on my part, as usual I tend to judge on one song alone.
Based in San Francisco Train is
Charlie Colin Bass, Guitar / Rob Hotchkiss Guitar bass, BG vocals, Harmonica Pat Manahan Lead Vocal, Trumpet, Sax Jimmy Stafford Guitars, BG vocals, Scott Underwood Drums, Keyboards. It would also appear that the entire group receives credit for the song writing here.
Fast forward to early February of this year, I hear a song on the radio called Drops of Jupiter. Of course this information is all hind sight. I hate radio stations, I hate them for so many reasons. My number one reason is they always fail to mention the name of new songs that they add to the play list. Not being familiar with Train I had no idea that it was them. The rest of the story is not really important.
But what is important is that the new album Drops of Jupiter would not be released for another six weeks. I was so moved by the writing found on Drops of Jupiter that I could not wait that long and I needed a train fix, and I needed it soon. So I made my way to the mega cd superplex and picked up their self titled debut Train. When I listened to their debut album something happened that has not happened for me personally in a long time, almost 11 years to be exact. It has been that long since I have heard and become endeared to something that I would categorize (if I had to) in the classic rock department.
In 1990 I had the pleasure of enjoying an amazing debut by a band that sounded as if they did not belong in the present. That album was Shake your money maker by the Black Crowes. That album was so amazing because the Crowes seemed as if they had gotten to the party about 20 years too late. With Chris Robinson's bluesy rock lyrics and the bands overall "small bar band makes good" vibes, it stood out. Having just come off one of the worst decades for music (the 80's for those that have forgotten) the Crowes came out of nowhere. That is exactly the feeling that I got when I listened to Train for the very first time.
It's so strange that Train's music is so familiar to something deep inside of you upon the first listen. Their energy is somehow familiar like 501 jeans, as classic as coke, and as honest as the day is long. The entire album conjures images of first kisses and the fourth of July. From the opening track Meet Virginia the story of an odd but lovely Virginia is told. And along with it, little pieces of day to day life are thrown in. Catchy but never to serious with lyrics like "she drinks coffee at midnight" and "Mama works on carburetors" this tune comes off as being slightly playful.
As the album rolls into I am the journey (or the feeling of it) across America begins. With a simple rock sound and predominant harmonica presence, Pat tells some stories. He speaks of never having seen a rodeo, never having climbed a real rock and never seeing Colorado. The feeling of a man that has a lot to do and see in life is the feeling that is successfully conveyed. Homesick may very well be the prime track on this debut. An amazing heartfelt song about longing and missing that hometown life.
Even for the life long city dwellers this might stir something in you. A song with a hint of country and a classic rock after taste, Homesick is outstanding. With Pat singing of people that remembering your name and small town folks pumping your gas for you, it had me reminiscing. This song along with another track Free have an amazingly infectious chorus. Free shares many of the feelings that homesick does without the obvious storyline of Homesick. Rather Free is more akin to little stories thrown together and fused with a great chorus.
Not everything on this debut moves as briskly as classic rock. Things slow down on Blind, and on Rat , musically along with Pat's vocal delivery it sounds like something pulled right off of the Shake your money maker album. These two definitely have a down south blues feeling to them, they are great songs to clear the palate. Other great tracks are eggplant a strange title, definitely a solid track. The final (listed) track Swaying really slows things down, it is the one real sad song on Train.
Swaying is a very soft and gentle tune that tugs at the heart gently. Not really a song to make you cry but maybe something to make you just a little blue. It seems that Train has done the hidden or bonus track thing twice. By that I mean on their debut and on the follow up Drops of Jupiter. First allow me to skip forward. On the follow up, Train sent special versions only to independent record stores. That version contains two new bonus tracks, but the track listing on the back is identical to the mega store versions. Only a sticker on the shrink wrap that tells you to support your local record store gives any indication.
I did not see that information the official site or anywhere else for that matter. So anyone looking to buy Drops of Jupiter you might want to seek out the bonus track version. My copy of the debut Train also contains two extra tracks that are untitled. However I do not know if all the debut copies have this bonus material. If some copies do not, I am not aware of how those two possible versions were distributed. This debut is a text cd, and it displays text information on cd players that are properly equipped (mine is). So I thought I would garner some information from that, but it wasn't the case. The final two tracks simply display the message "no text", so much for cd text.
There are so many reasons why I like this debut album from Train. Albums that evoke many emotions, feelings and idea's seem uncommon in this pop heavy cycle we are in now. Train is so very honest and timeless. Their music would be just as happy sitting on a 1973 play list as it would in the new century. Their songs give you the feeling that you are moving across America and making many stops along the way. It conjures images of the grand canyon, the bible belt, and those funky little middle America stops like a small diner in the shape of a hot dog, and signs like "the worlds largest lizard next stop".
As a band Train is very successful at sending out vibrations that are most likely only done better by John Cougar. Anyone that grew up in the midst of early rock and feels that it died in the 70's (I don't blame you) don't fret.
There are still little bits of that honest music poking through the sheets of commercial music in the present. Train delivers music that is not for the Limp Bizkit crowd, and not for the MTV kids in general. Even though this album went platinum, kids that lip sync, dance, and that don't even write their own music are household names. If you find yourself burned out by all of this, hop aboard and find out why Train is a great ride.
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