Jake Mahr
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The “perfect album” is an extremely difficult task to master in the music industry and many bands often obtain fame and fortune based off of a single track or two instead of the album as a whole. If a song does succeed, it is important for the group to expand on a similar style for the next compilation in order to get closer to the ultimate goal of a flawless album.
On their most recent album, “California 37,” the San Francisco based band, Train, is clearly craving more of the success received from their previous hit single “Hey, Soul Sister.” While mimicking its style, they are still able to produce an album with a variety of different sounds and techniques, proving the band’s ability to stay competitive in the industry, even after more than a decade of producing music.
Train was formed in 1994 and has enjoyed periods of great success throughout their musical career. The group released their self-titled debut album in 1998 and gained rapid national success. Their second album, “Drops of Jupiter,” was released in 2001 and became Train’s first multi-platinum album. The lead single received various Grammy awards as well as a spot on the Hot 100 list for over a year.
The band released two more albums before entering a three year hiatus from 2006 until 2009 in order to spend time with family and friends. In August 2009, they soared back into the industry with the release of their first single “Hey, Soul Sister” from their fifth album “Save Me, San Francisco.” The single skyrocketed the group back to the top of the charts, even overshadowing “Drops of Jupiter,” and becoming the bestselling single in Columbia Records’ history.
“California 37” opens up with “This’ll Be My Year,” a strong and bold way to start. With a catchy hook to begin, accompanied by a guitar and followed with a powerhouse chorus, the song brings to mind the boy band, Hot Chelle Ray, with a slightly stronger country rock feel.
When listening to the track, it is apparent that Train is trying to duplicate “Hey, Soul Sister.” Yet, instead of copying it, they improved it, changed the sound and lyrics, and produced an entirely different song that has the potential to achieve the same success.
The second song of the album, “Drive By,” is another upbeat, summery, guitar-filled track that expresses the same desire to create another hit single. It has already proven its ability by reaching the top ten singles on iTunes within the first two days of its release.
The one complaint that can be made within these first two tracks is the lyric choice. While inherently catchy, a feature Train is talented at creating, they are exceedingly meaningless and laughable. Yet the group is not new to the use of idiotic phrases in their more celebrated songs.
“Drops of Jupiter,” their first majorly successful song reminisces on a world with “no love, pride, deep-fried chicken,” and “Hey, Soul Sister” comments about the compatibility of gangsters and thugs. In “Drive By,” vocalist Patrick Monahan complains about his need for a “two ply Heft bag to hold” his love. However, there is a ring to all of these lyrics that allows for laughing at and singing along with simultaneously during each song.
The tempo of the album is slowed down rapidly for the third track, “Feels Good At First.” Instead of allowing for a foot stomp, it requires more of a head bob; instead of shouting the lyrics, they sound best as a soft mumble. The speed change allows for a quick break from all of the dancing that is done while listening to this album and then is picked back up again for the following songs.
Train’s recently found innovativeness is put to the test during the album, especially seen in their instrument use. While the guitar is associated with almost every Train song ever produced, they really got creative for these songs. “50 Ways to Say Goodbye” is begun with a Mariachi band and countless trumpet calls. “You Can Finally Meet My Mother” is partnered up with a melodic whistling, and “Bruises,” featuring Ashley Monroe, provides a rare opportunity to see a female’s influence on the band’s music.
Even with all of these variations, the guitar is still the heaviest played instrument; it is finally ditched on the last song, “When the Fog Rolls In,” which is accompanied by the piano instead. This major instrument change calls back memories of “Drops of Jupiter,” and ends the album on a nostalgic note for many fans.
While the album will be an overall success for the band, it will appeal to only their previously earned fans. The album was looking to be similar to “Hey, Soul Sister,” in order to potentially reach that same success. Train did an extraordinary job at doing this, but will not gain any fans that were unpleased by their sound before.
“California 37” has already reached the top of countless charts and is a great compilation for Train lovers everywhere. The album is available in music stores nationwide and on iTunes for $10.99.
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