25 years after “Drops of Jupiter,” Train has returned with a nostalgic escape to “Mad Dog in the Fog.”
25 years after “Drops of Jupiter,” Train has returned with a nostalgic escape to “Mad Dog in the Fog.”
Rating: 7.5
From their Grammy Award-winning hit “Drops of Jupiter” to their Billboard-chart-topping pop anthem “Hey, Soul Sister,” Train has sung it all. And now, 25 years after winning the Best Rock Song Grammy, the San Francisco band has released their spectacular alternative-inspired comeback.
“Mad Dog in the Fog,” Train’s 12th studio album, released Aug. 28. The record follows their 25th-anniversary “Drops of Jupiter” tour, which ran across North America over the summer.
After making Billboard hits since 1998, their 2026 release — four years after their previous pop album “AM Gold” — may come as a surprise to many listeners.
While Train started their musical journey in the rock genre, they’ve primarily released pop albums for the past two decades. “Mad Dog in the Fog” sparks a nostalgic return to their alternative rock roots, grounded in themes of reflection and perseverance that resonate across generations.
Opening the album with an upbeat, nostalgic rock sound is “To Gloria,” lead singer Pat Monahan describes a short-lived long-past romance with high energy vocals.
“A thousand miles of broken hearts / Her name on every overpass,” Monahan sings yearningly on the chorus. “I still send flowers with the name / a flame that burned too fast.”
Lead single “The Weekend” set the tone for the band’s rock comeback early, officially marking a fresh era for Train. The vintage production makes the song feel like a rebellious anthem, similar to their iconic ‘90s and early 2000s hits.
The album also makes several references to the band’s Californian origins. Named after a popular San Francisco bar, the album frequently mentions iconic locations from across the state. Several songs also reference Monahan’s hometown of Erie, Pa.
With countless references to his past, “Pennsylvania Turnpike” is a resonant song detailing Monahan’s journey leaving his hometown and pursuing his West Coast dreams in the ‘90s. The verses build perfectly into a catchy, meaningful chorus while the lyrical and instrumental buildup evokes both nostalgia and hope, capturing the uncertain excitement of chasing dreams.
Fourth track “Tired of Looking Down” captures the band’s burnout from fame and constant touring. The song ends by softly repeating the title before striking a final, melodic chord, leaving listeners in a reflective state. Train has been touring almost every year for decades, so the track’s peaceful, retrospective ending is a motivational reality for the album.
“Blue Brush-Footed Butterfly” is another fan favorite, previously performed on tour in the summer. True to classic Train, the song pairs an upbeat pop-rock melody with deep, melancholic lyrics about heartbreak.
“She is the reason I live / But a part of me is gonna die / I’m letting go of me trying to tame a blue brush-footed butterfly,” Monahan sings on the chorus, explaining the realities of a painful and addictive relationship where he is like “a moth to a flame.”
The album can’t be fully reviewed without mentioning the title track. Referencing one of the first bars Train played open mics at in San Francisco, the sentimental track “Mad Dog in the Fog” reiterates themes of nostalgia and their journey to fame.
Halfway through the album, Train shifts from an uptempo rock style to a melodic ballad with “What If We Try.” The beautiful piece references even more locations — surprise — and features strong, inspiring vocals from Monahan. The delicate instrumentation allows the heartfelt lyrics and Monahan’s earnest voice to stand out above all else.
The album wouldn’t be complete without two more heartbreaking romance anthems, “Half a Heart” and “Princess of the Night.” Both songs feature intricate guitar solos, proving Train’s staying power as pop-rockers.
“I got a hole in me where you’re supposed to be / I got half a heart to love you still,” Monahan sings in the song’s bittersweet chorus.
Train closes the album with “Kid in the Crown,” referencing the band’s iconic logo. This song uses beautiful harmonies and a message of perseverance and self-worth to end their reflective album.
Train’s descriptive storytelling is a band staple, and this album’s expressive songwriting is no exception. The powerful instrumentals, featuring phenomenal piano and guitar work, transform the album from a trip down memory lane to a compelling modern-rock record, and Monahan’s polished vocals — even at 57 years old — are no disappointment.
The reflective album — both narratively and sonically — creates a remarkably reminiscent tone, the perfect soundtrack for a trip down memory lane.
This album was the pub-rock comeback Train needed, returning to their irreplaceable alternative roots and sharing powerful music that fans of all ages can relate to. After listening, it’s no question that “Mad Dog in the Fog” is 45 minutes of life that listeners will want to live on repeat.
“Mad Dog in the Fog” is available to stream everywhere.
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