Train struggles to find new hit

The latest album hasn’t had hit singles like those that helped take the previous albums to million-plus sales (“Drive By” from “California 37” and “Hey, Soul Sister” from “Save Me, San Francisco”).

Of the three singles from “Bulletproof Picasso,” only “Angel in Blue Jeans” went Top 15 on any chart, stalling out at No. 79 on the overall Billboard Hot 100. Monahan said he suspects that it’s three strikes and out for the latest album.

“On this record, it was very difficult to pick a single. In fact, I don’t think we picked the right singles,” Monahan acknowledged. “Now, there are three singles out, and none of them became ‘Soul Sister.’ … I just don’t think we’ll have an opportunity to go after (hit singles) now because the record is a year old (actually nine months) and that’s the way that part of the business works.”

That said, Train is taking one more stab at giving “Bulletproof Picasso” renewed momentum. The band is releasing a video for the song “Give It All” on YouTube’s Soul Pancake channel in hopes of generating a viral buzz that could lead to wider exposure — maybe even radio play — for the song. But Monahan knows it’s a long shot.

“I don’t know what will come of it,” he said. “I’m banking on nothing, but at least people will be able to see this beautiful, incredible video.”

At this point, the popularity of the band’s earlier hits appears to be enough to keep Train on track, as the group is headlining major outdoor amphitheaters this summer, including at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood Friday.

And, if history is any indication, the band will come up with more hits and will be able to sustain its popularity.

Their first big hit was “Meet Virginia,” from the band’s 1998 self-titled debut album. It put Train on the mainstream pop map, though many predicted the group would be a one-hit wonder.

But then the title song from the 2001 sophomore album, “Drops of Jupiter,” was an even bigger hit.

Then two albums, “My Private Nation” and “For Me, It’s You,” came and went without singles that could return Train to the top of the charts before “Hey, Soul Sister” worked its magic.

Train will give material from “Bulletproof Picasso” a good airing on its summer tour, while mixing up its set list from night to night. In addition to original Train members Monahan and Stafford, the touring lineup includes keyboardist Jerry Becker, bassist Hector Maldonado (they both became touring members in 2009), drummer Drew Shoals (who replaced original drummer Scott Underwood before the recording of “Bulletproof Picasso”) and singers Nikita Houston and Sakai.

“We’re going to play probably seven songs from the new record every night,” Monahan said. “But I want to mix it up and give Train fans a chance to weigh in. I want to … give people a chance to communicate with us on Twitter, either prior to the show or during the show.”