Photo by: cheekychicago.com
Train, the trio behind the catchy hits “Meet Virginia” and “Drops of Jupiter,” released its sixth album, California 37, last Tuesday.
The band has come a long way from its self-titled debut released over a decade ago. Early on, Train dominated the late 90s airwaves with its unique blend of alternative rock and country in its self-titled debut and second album Drops of Jupiter.
During the past decade, however, the band has adopted a lighter form of pop-rock, as exemplified by 2009 single “Hey, Soul Sister.” California 37 arguably marks Train’s final transition from soulful alternative country to mainstream pop.
The album is chock-full of peppy, fun and easygoing songs that will make for a perfect summer soundtrack, yet Train appears to have lost their soul in the hype surrounding “Hey, Soul Sister.”
That said, although the record may seem lacking in emotional depth when compared to previous albums, California 37 offers a few tracks reminiscent of Train’s soulful past through songs such as “Bruises,” ” You Can Finally Meet My Mom” and “Sing Together.”
The album also features “Drive By,” a single released in January, which features catchy lyrics and a typical pop accompaniment, and is guaranteed to stick in your head.
Newly released tracks such as “Drive By” and “Mermaid” are a far cry from Train’s heartfelt tracks of the past, such as “Meet Virginia,” “Calling All Angels” and “Drops of Jupiter.” Thus, it is likely Train will continue to expand its fan base, while simultaneously losing some of its original followers as the band increasingly travels down the mainstream music path.
“You Can Finally Meet My Mom” features a catchy hook, but is simultaneously a unique combination of charm, mourning and reflection.
“Sing Together” is composed of ukulele-based riffs similar to “Hey Soul Sister,” but features a much sparser musical accompaniment, lending itself to a more intimate feel. This almost gives the listener the sense they are in the same room as the band, hanging out and plucking a few strings together.
California 37 will make the perfect soundtrack to blast at full volume with the windows down this summer. However, the album’s light, catchy lyrics are less likely to sustain interest for years to come, as they lose their appealing shine after just a few repeated listens.
