Back in 1999, Train emerged on top 40 and adult alternative radio with Meet Virginia, a song that drove me absolutely and completely nuts. It seemed like every time I put the radio on and started flipping stations looking for something decent, that song was there, like an obsessive ex-girlfriend who can't take a hint.

Fast forward 2 years, and I continually here this song that is catchy, yet mature sounding. I imagine the look on my face when I found out it was Train's first single/title track from their second album must have been priceless. The whole structure of the song screams "unorthodox radio hit" for a rock band. The main instruments used in building the song to a climax is a piano and a string section. But they lend very well to this song becoming uplifting and bringing a smile to your face. The lyrics are cryptic but catchy, and to a million different people, they could be a million different things, which will always score bonus points with me. Thinking that this song was the best adult alternative song in years, and with a Columbia Records money back guarantee (see below for details), I felt I had nothing to lose by buying the record.

The album, produced by veteran Brendan O'Brien (whose resume includes albums by Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots) opens with a loose and breezy rocking number called She's on Fire. Don't worry, you'll be hearing this song soon enough. If Columbia doesn't release this as single number 2, they're throwing away the song of the summer, 2001. I love the dueling guitars, and I think that lead singer Pat Monahan's voice has a perfect dichotomy of going from countryish to soaring. The only bad thing about this song is that the band doesn't let loose like this more often on this record.

O'Brien makes It's About You a great song singlehandedly. While most producers would have probably toned down the importance of the bass to this song, O'Brien did not, and this adds greatly to the atmosphere the song holds. Said bassline is angry, dark, two words I wouldn't associate with Train. Sure enough, the song moves into standard Train territory (catchy, sing along lyrics etc), but thanks to O'Brien, it sticks in your head because of it's uniqueness.

Respect (also found on the Dawson's Creek Volume II disc) is another chance for the band to let loose and rock, once again making this reviewer salivate at the prospect of the band making a full record like this.

They don't, unfortunately, instead falling into the trap of mid-tempo songs that crawl into an abyss of bad lyrics and hackneyed guitar riffs. Whipping Boy, with it's roaring leads, and I Wish You Would, with it's plain, homely sound, are the two other exceptions.

Drops of Jupiter (the album) isn't bad, and it's just good enough to not take advantage of that money back guarantee. Just over half the album is very good to excellent, with the rest being poor to decent. But considering what I thought of Train in 1999, and what I think of them now, you could say this album was a pleasant surprise.

THE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE:

Columbia has guaranteed you'll love this record, and if you don't, they'll refund your money. You have to send them your sales receipt, the CD, and a SASE in a package postmarked no more than FIVE days from the day you bought it.

Train is on the Tonight Show June 4th, and is touring this summer as the opening act for Matchbox Twenty from the end of July to the end of September.







Recommended: Yes