Who knew? The 'easy listening', gasp, mainstream, Top 40-esque Train brings greater depth, more personality and a trace of edge that is blindingly absent from their studio byproducts.
The 8 p.m. show, sponsored by Jam / 101.9 The Mix, was testimony that the mid 90's music scene is still alive-“Barely Breathing” if you will. Even though, Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind and the Wallflowers have fallen off the radar, Train is still around, and doing things as dignified as ever.
Train kicked off their set with “Skyscraper” and “Am I Reaching You Now”- two cuts from their new album “For Me, It's You” that hit stores quietly on Jan. 31.
After introducing a handful of new album tracks, Train's easygoing fans were still seated two songs in and concert-goers were more than ready to “Meet Virginia” by the time the '98 radio hit rolled around. “Meet Virginia,” at times, was such a sing along, that in reality, Monahan vacated lead to the well rehearsed and radio-familiar crowd.
Train's other radio rockets, “Drops of Jupiter” and “Calling all Angels,” as well as their current single, “Cab,” were saved to the very end of the performance; perhaps to encourage the fans to stay until the final song. “Cab” has already gained steady approval from loyal VH1 viewers and will no doubt be finding its way to the VH1 Top 20 countdown by the month's end. No big surprise there. Train has found their niche and the Bay-Area band is not looking to shake things up after almost a decade of steady album sales.
Ironically, even the most die-hard Train fans, would admit it wasn't Train's Top 40's that carried this concert. Train impressed and shocked the hell out of the demure crowd with its selection and mastery of three covers. Monahan never missed a note rendering the Stone's “Wild Horses,” Zeppelin's “Going to California” and Aerosmith's “Dream On.”
The way Monahan nailed “Dream On,” the screaming accuracy and intensity he oozed while singing someone else's song, made a listener wish Train had found its calling as a cover band instead.
Well, maybe the cover band comment was a little harsh as Train redeems itself lyrically with the new track “All I Ever Wanted.” A song that is as lyrically tragic and deep as Train has ever dared to experiment.
Monahan's personal life since the last album has included a soul-draining divorce, the suicide of his best friend and the shake-up of Train's original lineup.
Given those life-altering circumstances, “All I Ever Wanted” is a direct representation and dramatic departure from Train's eccentric and typically light, feel-good lyrics. These lyrics aren't about a woman who miraculously wears heels while exercising, what's a drop of Jupiter anyway?? and in this song, no matter how many angels were called, nothing could save these perpetually fucked up lovers. The result: the most genuine, effectual and inspired track Train has ever recorded.
“All I Ever Wanted” is a song about real life. About pain, disappointment, hopelessness, falling apart and just watching it all unravel. Who can't relate to that?
When he finished pouring forth this song, Monahan let out “I just revealed a chunk of my raw soul” laugh and said, “Well that relationship didn't work out for me.”
No shit Monahan. For once, a listener doesn't need a translator to get to the heart of a Train lyric. Anyone listening to “All I Ever Wanted,” live or from the album, will feel the emotion and experience required to write, record and perform this song.
The April 15 show was halfway through Train's current national tour-and their competency throughout the performance, vocally and instrumentally indicated that they've done this before. Monahan's voice was crisp throughout the 90 minutes and never buried beneath the band consisting of Jimmy Stafford (guitar), Scott Underwood (drums), Brandon Bush (keyboard) and ex-Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt.
Although Monahan and the boys put on a text-book performance, an astute attendee, per se a music connoisseur (aka not a radio-junkie) would be left wanting more. Due to Train's unveiling of “All I Ever Wanted” and of their edgier, harder rock potential on covers such as “Dream On,” it is quite possible that this seasoned five-some still has room to grow. Dare I suggest a swim against the mainstream current?
And for those concert attendees that enjoyed Train's opener-Columbia recording artist Brandi Carlile-Carlile will return to Chicago on June 2 to headline at the Metro.
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