Train For Me, It's You Audio CD

With new band members and a new outlook on life, Train's latest CD is a departure from the groups original sound. For Me, It's You is a long way from Train's "Drops of Jupiter" days. Even though it might not be what die-hard fans were waiting for, it's a soulful and enjoyable addition to the music library.

Showing a bit more of its pop side, Train has traded the mandolins for a piano and has plugged in its guitar. The sound adds punch to lead singer Pat Monahan's vocals and gives a richer music bed to present his always-exceptional lyrics. The album is full of soul-searching and angst, which means this isn't exactly an uplifting or hopeful effort. However, even when the lyrics wander into shadowy territory, the music keeps the songs from ever seeming dark or brooding.

"All I Ever Wanted," which kicks off the album, is the perfect example of lost love. Monahan is holding on to a love that has already moved on, and even though he realizes it's a futile exercise, he cant quite seem to resign himself to giving up.

On "Cab," Monahan provides an excellent metaphor for loneliness as he roams the vacant streets of the city. He isn't getting over the love he has lost, and equates his journey with feeling like the only cab driving through cold, desolate streets. It paints a gray but vivid picture of emptiness and regret, but manages to do so with an upbeat sound.

"Give Myself To You" is one of the standouts on the album. It is tinged with hope for love in the future but, at the same time, he recognizes that he still isn't in a place to find love. When he finally pulls himself together, he vows that he'll be ready to give her everything she needs. It's a mature approach to matters of the heart and sends a memorable message.

"If I Can't Change Your Mind" is a great, rocking little number that is set at the end of the relationship. Despite his feelings, he is unable to convince her of his devotion to her and has resigned himself to the fact that he can't stop her from leaving. It's a terrific, catchy track that is hard not to love.

On "I'm Not Waiting In Line," the band gets into its funky side, and it's a nice surprise. "I'm Not Waiting In Line" is a confident little rocker in which he realizes that the woman of his dreams is playing games with him, and he's no longer willing to put himself through that. He puts the challenge back on the woman -- she can either take him or leave him, but he isn't going to waste time waiting for her to make up her mind.

The title track is the last cut on the disc. "For Me, It's You" is an upbeat finale to an often pessimistic outlook on love. We're all looking for that one thing that makes our hearts soar and, in this song, he's found the person who does that for him. It's a catchy and engaging little love song that makes us realize Monahan just might have found the one thing he was looking for most -- hope.

By Paula Felps