- Drops of originality in a sea of pop trash -
Written: Jun 22 '01
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| sslabs's Full Review: Drops of Jupiter [Japan Bonus Track] by Train |
I'm still amazed that Train has been so successful with their sophomore effort Drops of Jupiter. I've always been impressed with their strange position in the pop/rock world. They are not a flavor of the month boy band trying to knock off NSYNC, and never could be a brooding angst filled band like STP, Korn, The Smashing Pumpkins and countless others. Train as a band is more like the Black Crowes meets John Cougar and I like that, and it would appear that so do a lot of other people.
Largely responsible for Train's ability to be heard over the sugar sweet pop is their smash hit single Drops of Jupiter. That song is so catchy like any great pop song, but yet it displays creativity and thoughtfulness not usually found in top 40 material. Drops of Jupiter is skillful balance between radio accessibility and the required depth for the more picky listener. The subject of the song Drops of Jupiter is not new, it's an ode to a strange and beautiful woman, it's a poem, reminiscing, longing for simpler times, and all the while it manages to be a pop/rock song. If anything, it's a continuation in the spirit of Meet Virginia the first single released on their self titled debut.
It's one of those songs that grabs you the very first time you hear it, and you almost know the lyrics that will follow because it has such a wonderful flow. It's charming, so very much like hearing Tempted by Squeeze for the very first time. But the single Drops of Jupiter can be as much of a liability as an album seller. The casual music listener could very easily trash the rest of Train's new album. The reason is that the rest of Drops of Jupiter sounds nothing like the hit single. Anyone expecting something like Enigma with a constant revisit to a hit song throughout an entire album will be disappointed.
However Train doesn't make albums for that crowd and anyone that gives Drops just the smallest chance will find themselves enjoying yet another solid effort. The sound and style have changed very little for the band. Only the focus has shifted. On their original debut album Train, most of the story telling revolved around Americana, history, and a kind of down home country emotion. While they have retained most of that original flavor there is a shift in focus, leaning more toward love and relationships.
From the opening tracks like She's on fire and I wish you would, Train gets right down to business with their new core direction. It's about you is a good example of the type of relationship feelings heard throughout Drops. Train never really delves into true ballads and never really “rocks out”. With lyrics like “I could be that everything you need”. Train seems to be in search of love and relationships issues resolved.
In place of songs like Home sick from their debut, Train gives us Whipping Boy. As Monahan belts out “Lay all you want on me, I'll be your whipping boy” he sends out a feeling that ripples throughout Drops. Monahan et al. give the impression that they are singing to a specific person, namely a woman; a feeling that was only conveyed on the debut on occasion, is persistent on the follow up. Only on Mississippi does Train slow down and give the closest thing to a love song that they'll give. Thankfully it stays away from being sappy, this track is mellow like a slow stroll
The bonus tracks, the good and the bad
I'm glad to see that Train included two bonus tracks but I'm not too happy about the fact that a lot of fans get screwed out of that version. The band and the label never made a mention of it and fans usually don't find out until they already spent their hard earned cash. I didn't like it when I walked into the store the other day only to find Staind Break the Cycle with a bonus live track of It's been awhile.
This CD is exclusive to a store I don't really feel like mentioning, and to add insult to my injury the album with bonus track and all, was a dollar less. Not a lot of money, but it irks me to no end. Yes it's a different album but the feeling is the same, I felt like I got screwed. Not with the whole fist mind you, but maybe a finger. I'm sure Train fans with the original 11 tracks might feel a little burned to find the 13 track version after they parted with their dough.
The 13-track version of Drops is only sold at independent record stores. And the only indication is a sticker on the shrink wrap that tells you so. But it looks virtually identical to the sticker that simply states Features the hit single Drops of Jupiter. I know the band kept this information low key because it could irritate the major chains that move a large number of units. If anything this is a “quiet gift” to fans that support the local record store. I don't like this practice, but I understand the evil b*tch goddess that the music business is.
So is it worth the extra fuss to get the two extra tracks? If you have the regular version of Drops in your possession, no. If however you have yet to purchase the album, seeking out the 13-track version would be a good idea. So just what are the two bonus tracks? The short version, It's Love an upbeat slightly electronic number and Love Rain a slow, with a funk R&B flavor bass line. I like them both and most Train fans should enjoy them as well.
So do you drop some cash for Drops?
So I guess it's time for the obligatory comparison between the first self titled debut, Train and the follow up. I feel that Drops of Jupiter as a song is brilliant and dare I say it the best song ever created by Train. But as an entire album I feel that the debut Train was just a shade better. I find myself listening to the first album more than the sophomore effort. The self titled debut was filling, Drops is like a meal that had something missing but it's hard to pin down just what that was. But it's close and I would never say that the first blows the second out of the water. Epinions still does not give me the option of half star increments, while you see three stars, my official rating is three and a half.
Bottom Line if you like the debut Train, you can't go wrong with Drops of Jupiter as long as you don't mind the shift from America to relationships. If you like the single Drops of Jupiter and want more of the same, pass this album up because you won't find it. The title for my review of their first album was 'right on track', and Train is in fact still on track. It's just that this time around, Train's destination is a little different. Next stop Love Town.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
sslabs
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Tony Flores
Location: Calistoga - Napa Valley Wine Country
Reviews written: 99
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