Why are the summer concerts not selling out ?
When you log on to Trainline, you are presented with the list of shows being played this summer. With only 3 days before the tour officially begins, you wonder why only 4 of the 50 shows have sold out. I went on-line to a dozen concert locations and good seats are still available for most of them. One in particular, Lenox Mass, has 2457 seats available as of this morning. Considering the place seats just under 6000, it means that is just over half full. Not very good if you ask me. Last year it seems like all of the shows sold out, but the main reason for that is that Maroon 5 was with them. (much more popular and more mainstream). Take them out of the equation, and add in Mat Kearney (who ?) and Andy Grammer (who ?) and Train is pretty much on their own. Perhaps "hard core first generation" Train fans are staying away since Train traded in their hard cutting rock n' roll chops to become the spokes-band for family friendly, bring the little ones, squeaky clean concerts (aka....Disney's new house band). I'll be at a few shows this summer to support the band, but if it turns into a crowd participation free-for-all filled with tweens and their soccer moms, then I might bail along with many others. Just what demographic is Train trying to please these days anyway ? It certainly seems like management has told them to try to appeal to the younger (really younger !) crowd, to put out catchy pop songs with little or no artistic merit, and to make as much money as you can before the interest wears off. Granted, some of the songs on the new CD have a catchy tune that sticks in your head, but with the crappy lyrics on most of them, they will soon be forgotten. And do we really need so many pop culture references in the songs ? Enough already with that. Pat used to be such a clever wordsmith. "The way you move me, everything is groovy". Really ?, is that best you can do ? Perhaps if they spent less time on the road (ooops, sorry, that's where the money is) and more time crafting meaningful songs like they used to do, the fans would come back. I know many people love the new CD, and that's fine, If you makes you happy, go for it. But in terms of leaving a long lasting legacy, the train might have just left the station.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hannah King on
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And there's no crappy lyrics. Listen to the songs. "This'll be My Year" is about finding the person he loves. "Drive By" is more or less about a breakup then finding someone... I think. I'm a little confused about that. "Feels Good at First" is along the same lines. "Bruises" is meeting up with a friend from high school and talking about their lives. "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" is about a breakup and he doesn't want to tell his friends she dumped him. "You Can Finally Meet My Mom" is about when he and his wife dies, he can introduce his wife to his dead mother. "Sing Together" is a song about when he dies and he even said he wants that song to be played at his funeral. "Mermaid" is about meeting... uhh... I have to think... I know but it's hard for me to put into words... "We Were Made for This"... I roughly translated that into meaning that whatever hard times he and his wife go through, they can get past it... even dying. "When the For Rolls In" is talking about a break up. So, maybe you should look at the lyrics a little more instead of just hearing the music. I think that's why a lot of people don't like the new album, the music sounds different.
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Permalink Reply by Jeff on -
Hannah,
Good for you being a Train fan. There are no right or wrong views on this subject. People like New England Guy and myself feel one way. You obviously feel different. I don't think you can make the statement that because we don't agree on the direction the band is going that we're not " True Train fans". It's all a matter of opinion, but if Train was all about "Connecting to fans" as you say, then my feelings are that they should continue to write music with some depth to keep the fans connected, not the bubble gum pop music they have lately decided to put out. Either way, I hope you enjoy continue to enjoy their new music and hopefully a show on this tour.
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Okay, I know I sounded like a jerk. I feel annoyed at myself for that right now... but did you not read my last comment??? The songs do have meaning but I think all of the train fans just can't get past the fact that they changed their sound to really look at the lyrics.
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On a completely different note... watch this...
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Permalink Reply by New England Guy on
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Hannah,
There are about 3 to 4 decent songs on the CD, We were made for this, When the fog rolls in, Feels good at first and possibly sing together. I'll give you that. The rest of the lyrics, I-I-I-I-I can't stand. Listen to the songs on the first album, you know, the one released before your were born and then compare the songs. Wait, why am I having this discussion with an 11 year old ? We'll talk further down the road. Anyway, enjoy the shows this summer. It's cool that you like Train, but you can't just look at the last album or two and think that's what Train is all about.
Hannah King said:And there's no crappy lyrics. Listen to the songs. "This'll be My Year" is about finding the person he loves. "Drive By" is more or less about a breakup then finding someone... I think. I'm a little confused about that. "Feels Good at First" is along the same lines. "Bruises" is meeting up with a friend from high school and talking about their lives. "50 Ways to Say Goodbye" is about a breakup and he doesn't want to tell his friends she dumped him. "You Can Finally Meet My Mom" is about when he and his wife dies, he can introduce his wife to his dead mother. "Sing Together" is a song about when he dies and he even said he wants that song to be played at his funeral. "Mermaid" is about meeting... uhh... I have to think... I know but it's hard for me to put into words... "We Were Made for This"... I roughly translated that into meaning that whatever hard times he and his wife go through, they can get past it... even dying. "When the For Rolls In" is talking about a break up. So, maybe you should look at the lyrics a little more instead of just hearing the music. I think that's why a lot of people don't like the new album, the music sounds different.
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I do listen to the older albums. I don't only listen to the new ones. My age has nothing to do with what albums I listen to. I like all the songs from train... period. However, if you don't like the new album, that's your opinion. I was just saying that the songs do have meaning to them.
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Permalink Reply by Steven Callahan on
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First, let me say that I read this message board often and usually just sit back and observe all of the different comments and opinions. For some reason I decided to reply this time. I'm not 100 percent sure why... I've been a Train fan for the better part of 11 years when the "Drops of Jupiter" album grabbed me and never let go. That being said, I tend to agree with most all of what has been said in this thread and I can't say that I've never thought some of things that "New England Guy" and "Jeff" have had to say. But, I will say that do enjoy most of the new album and I think that 4-5 of the songs are very, very good. I think they did a good job of trying to balance a sound that would please most of the "old" fans and most of the new fans. Whenever I start to think of being frustrated with the "new" sound/style of the band I remind myself that I'd much rather listen to ANY of Train's music to most anything considered popular or mainstream. Like many other Train fans, I feel that Pat Monahan's voice is the best male voice to come along in decades and that their music has touched me over the years like no other band or performer. And for that I consider myself lucky to have discovered Train in the "earlier" years and have enjoyed their ride. I don't blame the three remaining member for trying to capitalize on the resurgence of the last 2 1/2 years. They more than deserve to steer the band in whichever direction they feel and I plan on supporting the band, assuming they don't release and album full of songs like "California 37". That's the only exception I have in my thinking. The band has more than worked their butts off and paid their dues over the years. From touring tirelessly in the days of their infancy to dealing with the departure of two crucial band members. One of those, in my opinion, having as big an influence as any other band member on the first 2 1/2 albums. I think people underestimate how difficult it had to have been to reorganize and try to compose NEW music after the departure of Rob Hotchkiss. I'm sure Charlie Colin was also missed in big ways after the "My Private Nation" tour. I admire the band for chugging on after all of this and then through the transition of the Brandon Bush and Johnny Colt "era"... In conclusion, I remind every "old" fan of where the band was, as well as the rest of us, were just three years ago. The band was down to three members and probably wondering just how much time they had left to play together. From everything I always heard they had one album left on their intitial Sony contract and if it weren't for the success of Save Me, San Francisco due mostly to "Hey, Soul Sister" then there's no telling what would've happened to the band. Even though Pat had alot of help developing "Hey, Soul Sister" from the Espionage team, as well as several other songs since, I can more than accept this due to the simple fact that we all probably would not even be having this discussion about "Why are the summer concerts not selling out?" if it weren't for this song. Simple as that. ****And remember, it's very possible that without the success of 2010-2011 that it would be very possible that Sony would not have continued their relationship with the band and who knows where that would've left the band today, if anywhere at all.**** Because of this I can more than accept the evolution of the band. They (Yes, mostly Pat) still make enough new music that appeals to me more than anyone else I've discovered and, quite frankly, that's all I can ask for from the band...
And to Hannah, maybe one day your mom can explain to you the true meaning behind "Drive By" as well as all of the inuendos throughout the song. Chances are though you'll figure some of them out later down the road and actually laugh at some of the "hidden" perversions(like Hey, Soul Sister) of the song.
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I was wrong about Drive By... I learned it was really about a guy who falls in love with a one night stand, but he is scared because he fell for her so he leaves and she then moves away. He still loves her so he drives to her. Hence the 'this is not a drive by' refers to him not being done with her just because she was a one night stand. Whatever. Anyway, I hate that y'all are talking down to me because I'm eleven.
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Permalink Reply by New England Guy on
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Good points Steven, I respect your opinion.
Steven Callahan said:First, let me say that I read this message board often and usually just sit back and observe all of the different comments and opinions. For some reason I decided to reply this time. I'm not 100 percent sure why... I've been a Train fan for the better part of 11 years when the "Drops of Jupiter" album grabbed me and never let go. That being said, I tend to agree with most all of what has been said in this thread and I can't say that I've never thought some of things that "New England Guy" and "Jeff" have had to say. But, I will say that do enjoy most of the new album and I think that 4-5 of the songs are very, very good. I think they did a good job of trying to balance a sound that would please most of the "old" fans and most of the new fans. Whenever I start to think of being frustrated with the "new" sound/style of the band I remind myself that I'd much rather listen to ANY of Train's music to most anything considered popular or mainstream. Like many other Train fans, I feel that Pat Monahan's voice is the best male voice to come along in decades and that their music has touched me over the years like no other band or performer. And for that I consider myself lucky to have discovered Train in the "earlier" years and have enjoyed their ride. I don't blame the three remaining member for trying to capitalize on the resurgence of the last 2 1/2 years. They more than deserve to steer the band in whichever direction they feel and I plan on supporting the band, assuming they don't release and album full of songs like "California 37". That's the only exception I have in my thinking. The band has more than worked their butts off and paid their dues over the years. From touring tirelessly in the days of their infancy to dealing with the departure of two crucial band members. One of those, in my opinion, having as big an influence as any other band member on the first 2 1/2 albums. I think people underestimate how difficult it had to have been to reorganize and try to compose NEW music after the departure of Rob Hotchkiss. I'm sure Charlie Colin was also missed in big ways after the "My Private Nation" tour. I admire the band for chugging on after all of this and then through the transition of the Brandon Bush and Johnny Colt "era"... In conclusion, I remind every "old" fan of where the band was, as well as the rest of us, were just three years ago. The band was down to three members and probably wondering just how much time they had left to play together. From everything I always heard they had one album left on their intitial Sony contract and if it weren't for the success of Save Me, San Francisco due mostly to "Hey, Soul Sister" then there's no telling what would've happened to the band. Even though Pat had alot of help developing "Hey, Soul Sister" from the Espionage team, as well as several other songs since, I can more than accept this due to the simple fact that we all probably would not even be having this discussion about "Why are the summer concerts not selling out?" if it weren't for this song. Simple as that. ****And remember, it's very possible that without the success of 2010-2011 that it would be very possible that Sony would not have continued their relationship with the band and who knows where that would've left the band today, if anywhere at all.**** Because of this I can more than accept the evolution of the band. They (Yes, mostly Pat) still make enough new music that appeals to me more than anyone else I've discovered and, quite frankly, that's all I can ask for from the band...
And to Hannah, maybe one day your mom can explain to you the true meaning behind "Drive By" as well as all of the inuendos throughout the song. Chances are though you'll figure some of them out later down the road and actually laugh at some of the "hidden" perversions(like Hey, Soul Sister) of the song.
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Permalink Reply by Mahita Vas on -
Thank you, Steven Callahan. Much of what you said was exactly what I was thinking and much more even though I actually did not like much of their earlier music and confess to being a more devoted fan from SMSF onwards.
Thank you, too, New England Guy, for a thought-provoking post. Sadly, these topics tend to get quite divisive but I think we're all able to agree to disagree without getting personal.
I personally see absolutely nothing wrong with producing what the masses want, what sells - it's an approach that pays the bills and gives them and their families lives any of us would liked to be accustomed to. It's an approach that sky-rocketed U2, Pink Floyd and other bands since, to global fame in the late 80s. Smart move, one that I would make just as readily, given the chance. They lost some of their old fans but gained millions of new ones.
Who knows, some day when there's enough money stashed away for a comfortable long life, Train might go back to doing what they want to do. They might lose the newer fans who made them rich, and regain the loyalty of older fans, but who knows and besides, by then it should no longer matter.
For now, fans like you and me, Hannah and New England Guy and Laurie Copeland can all enjoy Train's music - new and old - in any way we choose. If it means skipping a CA37 concert to listen to Train (1998) at home, that's cool. If it means going to CA37 with dreams of being picked by Pat Monahan to "play" Ashley Monroe's part for Bruises on stage, that's cool too. If it means watching random videos of Train on youtube as and when, cool too. Train can be eternally cool for all fans, taken on our terms :-) I am sure the band will have no problem with that.
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Permalink Reply by Donna Brock on
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Well New England guy...stay away. I have been a Train fan for years. But quite recently I have really began to follow them. I think they are the best out there. Who needs Adam Levine to help sell out a show? Whatever. I can not wait until I see them in Cincinnati on Aug 8. And to let you know, I am bringing my family with me. Im no soccer mom, but my kids, husband, and I are very excited to see Pat, Scott, and Jimmy. Stay home and let the true Train fans in!!
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Finacchio on
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Donna,Can we take the anger level down a notch? Everyone is just expressing opinions, not passing judgement. I'm sure New England Guy would say that he's happy that you are such a passionate fan. He, myself and other fans who have been around since their first CD are just stating observations. The lyrics used to be more meaningful, soulful that's all.
Donna Brock said:Well New England guy...stay away. I have been a Train fan for years. But quite recently I have really began to follow them. I think they are the best out there. Who needs Adam Levine to help sell out a show? Whatever. I can not wait until I see them in Cincinnati on Aug 8. And to let you know, I am bringing my family with me. Im no soccer mom, but my kids, husband, and I are very excited to see Pat, Scott, and Jimmy. Stay home and let the true Train fans in!!
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