A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat cover

A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat

Train · 2017

43 min · 13 tracks · pop rock

An upbeat blend of pop rock melodies and heartfelt lyrics that balance nostalgia with a contemporary sound.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Play That Song Start here — This track stands out as an infectious anthem that captures the essence of nostalgia through its catchy hook and lively instrumentation. Its success as a lead single illustrates Train's knack for creating radio-friendly hits.
  • →
    Drink Up — Opening the album with an energetic vibe, this track encapsulates the celebratory themes present throughout the record while setting an inviting tone for listeners. Its danceable rhythm makes it a standout party anthem.
  • →
    Valentine — A heartfelt ballad that showcases emotional depth within the album, this song highlights the band's ability to blend storytelling with melody, making it resonate on a personal level. Its poignant lyrics explore themes of love and connection.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100
Lowland
Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album features catchy melodies and relatable lyrics but lacks standout compositions or production techniques.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a consistent upbeat tempo, while the second half introduces slower tracks that create a contrast.
  • Several tracks feature prominent piano melodies that drive the choruses, enhancing their catchiness.
  • The lyrics often reflect themes of nostalgia and personal experiences, with a storytelling approach evident in multiple songs.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • upbeat anthems for celebration
  • steady groove for sing-alongs
  • lighthearted tunes for road trips
  • feel-good vibes for gatherings
  • catchy melodies for easy listening

Maybe skip if you

  • introspective, slow-paced moments
  • heavy emotional weight seekers

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Shows renewed commercial success and creative experimentation in their later career.
Career context
A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat marks Train's ninth studio album, following 2014's Bulletproof Picasso. At this stage in their career, the band experienced renewed commercial success and creative experimentation, showcasing a blend of familiar pop rock elements with fresh lyrical themes. The album arrived after a three-year hiatus from original material, allowing the band to refine their sound.
Stylistic neighbors
Matchbox Twenty· Goo Goo Dolls· Lifehouse

Tracklist

  • 1 Drink Up 3:30
  • 2 Play That Song Start here 4:03
  • 3 The News 3:16
  • 4 Lottery 2:34
  • 5 Working Girl 3:44
  • 6 Silver Dollar 3:01
  • 7 Valentine 3:25
  • 8 What Good is Saturday 3:44
  • 9 Loverman 2:41
  • 10 Lost and Found 3:28
  • 11 You Better Believe 3:44
  • 12 Ziplock Full of Sunshine 3:15
  • 13 Crazy Queen 3:16

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata