Written by Susie Salva
San Francisco based alternative rockers Train have put forth one of their best efforts on their latest CD release, “Save Me San Francisco,” on Columbia Records. This time out the band pays homage to and demonstrates their affinity for their home base of this cosmopolitan city. Train credits the city of San Francisco with cultivating the band’s identity and foundation, and so it’s no wonder their title track, “Save Me San Francisco,” tips it hat to the Bay Area metropolis that the band holds so dear. The album embodies a fresh, upbeat, youthful and spirited approach harkening back to their early musical roots.
“Save Me San Francisco,” is an autobiographical account of Train’s beginnings and also the soul of Train as a band. Frontman Pat Monahan is one of the most talented lyricists and the songs that the band have written on this new disc take the listener through the three piece’s humble start in the mid-90’s to present day music.
Accomplishments
Over the course of 15 years, Train has made its mark on music history with their Grammy-Award winning song, “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” and chart topping singles, “Meet Virginia,” and “Calling All Angels.” Since forming in San Francisco in 1994, the multi-platinum selling band has traveled a long, successful and sometime arduous journey.
Album Description
“Save Me San Francisco,” taps into Train’s organic sound, recalling the blues and folk-infused rock that put the band on the map from the start. “It’s pretty basic,” Monahan explains of the record. “But really cool because there’s super catchy riffs and melodies in it, which I think are way more important that any production trick or great-sounding vocal production. It’s kind of us going backward so we can go forward.”
The first single off of the album, “Hey, Soul Sister,” is peppy and fun filled tune with a catchy chorus that remands in your head for days on end. This song was recently featured on CBS’s “Medium”. With the help of producer Martin Terefe (KT Tunstall, Jason Mraz, and James Morrison) Train was able to tap into the bands roots and put out a song that is reminiscent of their massive hit, “Meet Virginia” while remaining fresh and current.
The third track, “I Got You,” is a tribute to the Doobie Brothers, “Blackwater,” evoking sounds of the ‘70s and mentioning Sonny and Cher’s, “I’ve Got You, Babe,” signatory song. “There are certain songs that, instead of there being have an intention, there is almost a theme,” says Monahan. This album seems to possess a theme of optimism, happiness, and hope in an enduring relationship. It seems this time out that Monahan and the band, (Jimmy Stafford, Guitar, and Scott Underwood, drums) are satisfied in their relationships and the storytelling lyrics on the album is, “about love in every you can think about it,” explains Monahan.
The rest of the disc including “This Ain’t Goodbye,” “Words,” “Brick by Brick,” and “Marry Me,” all evoke fondness of working relationships and one of finding one’s self in an happy and secure place.
In this day and age, career artists are few and far between, and after a decade and a half of being a band, Train is ready to present one of their strongest efforts to date. Monahan recognizes the band’s accomplishments, and, he states clearly, is more than grateful for the success they have experienced. For more on Train please go to: www.trainline.com
Train: Jim Stafford, Pat Monahan and Jim Stafford.
