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The members of Train boarded their second endeavor with some new instruments in hand, a lot more confidence to experiment with, and the willingness to meet new challenges head-on. Sure, it was easy to climb the charts with their hit single "Meet Virginia," but the fact that their self-titled 1998 release is well in their past means they had to step it up a notch to be accepted this time around.

So far, they're on track (no pun intended) with the lead single and title cut in the vein of the Counting Crows. The tune dared to add an orchestra and more intricate arrangements for all instruments than any of the songs on their first project. The tune seems far more polished and highly worked over in the studio than any in the past.

A good pick for the next single would be "Let it Roll," or the teen friendly "Respect," which was previously featured on the "Dawson's Creek" television show. The latter is in vein of The Cranberries' "Dreams," with male vocals, of course. Pat Monahan's vocals shine through on the opening cut "She's on Fire," a ditty that's southern in vibe and eclectic in melody. The southern rock flavor follows on "I Wish You Would," highlighted by a handful of harmonica-based interludes. Another standout is the project's finale, "Mississippi," during which Monahan sports a gentle repetition in both his lyrics and on his saxophone accompaniment.

The key to Train's further success will be how often they can hit the road and the types of crowds they can play in front of. Opening up for bands like Collective Soul, the Dave Matthews Band, and Ben Folds Five haven't hurt thus far. Hitting the road is probably a safe bet considering the band's name just screams a strong desire to travel.

Andy Argyrakis  4/14/2001