Out Now: Train Re-Emerges with ‘AM Gold,’ Coasting on Throwback Vibes and ‘Yacht Rock’ Style (Listen)

Over the years, multiplatinum pop/rock band Train has dabbled in all sides of the pop realm — and the group’s latest album, AM Gold, fully goes in.

Released today, May 20, the record bursts with infectious melodies and a reverent appreciation of what came before. That was one of the stated goals for the project, even down to the classic 1970s feel of the album art.

All that glitters is #AMGold 📻💛 The album is out everywhere NOW! 🍾🥳 https://t.co/mIj0lK6JRg

Only a few more weeks until we take this show on the road! Lock in those #AMGoldTour tickets –> https://t.co/V1Zsb3Vkhk pic.twitter.com/lMl9VYfGmW

— train (@train) May 20, 2022

“When we were writing the record, because of how eclectic it was, my manager came up with the name AM Gold,” explained band leader Pat Monahan to Rock Cellar in our new feature interview. “He felt like it was like an old-school AM Gold compilation of a bunch of different varieties of music. Seemed like an appropriate name.”

Train’s first new release of all original material in five years, AM Gold is a nonstop vibes collection of songs with precise instrumentation, Monahan’s unmistakable vocal presence and a soulful expression of the ensemble’s pop pedigree.

Candid new chat with @Train's Pat Monahan:

"That song really does sum up my life [because] no one’s really thinking, 'Hey, I wonder what Train’s doing right now? I wonder what kind of record they’re going to make?' If I don’t bet on me, then nobody will." https://t.co/fkYJqp0r4N

— Rock Cellar Magazine (@RockCellarMag) May 17, 2022

Click here to pick up AM Gold on CD from our Rock Cellar Store

AM Gold was produced by Butch Walker, and while this may be outside his typical repertoire of rock-forward releases, Monahan explained that he was totally on board with the goal:

“He’s an extraordinarily talented, wonderful guy. Butch maybe wouldn’t be the right guy for a certain kind of pop album, but he was the perfect guy for this [one]. Not just because he is a close friend and a great musician, but because we’re a similar age. He understands the same era and what I was trying to get done. I think he did a beautiful job recording it.”

It’s not hard to imagine “Cleopatra,” featuring Mexican pop star Sofía Reyes, making a strong impact on pop radio:

The same goes for “Turn the Radio Up,” featuring Jewel (who will tour with Train this summer, more on that later):

Monahan set out to accomplish a certain goal with this record, which he explained while discussing the track “Bettin’ On Me”:

“That song really does sum up my life [because] no one’s really thinking, ‘Hey, I wonder what Train’s doing right now? I wonder what kind of record they’re going to make?’ If I don’t bet on me, then nobody will.”

Train has remained a force in the pop/adult contemporary world for years, racking up a handful of ubiquitous and memorable radio hits along the way — and AM Gold has a handful of tracks that may very well add to that tally.

Catch Train on the road later this year:

SAVE ME SAN FRANCISCO WINE CO PRESENTS: TRAIN – AM GOLD TOUR
*Jewel (direct support across all dates), Blues Traveler (all dates except Red Rocks)

*Thunderstorm Artis
^Will Anderson