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Bulletproof Picasso
Studio album by
Train
ReleasedSeptember 12, 2014
Recorded2013–2014
Genres
Length43:39
LabelColumbia
Producers
Train chronology
California 37
(2012) 		Bulletproof Picasso
(2014) 		Christmas in Tahoe
(2015)
Singles from Bulletproof Picasso
  1. "Angel in Blue Jeans"
    Released: June 9, 2014
  2. "Cadillac, Cadillac"
    Released: September 29, 2014
  3. "Bulletproof Picasso"
    Released: January 26, 2015
  4. "Give It All"
    Released: May 19, 2015

Bulletproof Picasso is the seventh studio album by American rock band Train. The album was released by Columbia Records in Friday-release countries on September 12, 2014, and in the United States on September 16, 2014. It is available on CD, vinyl and as a digital download.[2] It is the band's first album to feature drummer Drew Shoals, replacing founding member Scott Underwood, who departed from the band before it was recorded. It is also the band's first album since 2006's For Me, It's You to feature a full band line up. The producers were Azeem, Espionage, Greg Kurstin, Jake Sinclair, Butch Walker and Whams.

Background

[edit]

With Bulletproof Picasso, the band set out to achieve goals that would allow them to become a more mainstream band. Guitarist Jimmy Stafford explained that the band had never been "cool" and "hip", something he believed this album would make them, enabling them to feel justified in their desires to play at and sell out Madison Square Garden and even becoming musical guests on an episode of Saturday Night Live.[3] Lead singer Pat Monahan also expressed an intent for a more personal, yet ambitious record, stating that "I've always wanted to emotionally connect with people through the songs, but I also want to get into people's lives with this album" and that he felt that he wanted to create "everything that [he'd] wanted to".[4][5]

Recording

[edit]

Lead singer Pat Monahan had started creating material for Train's seventh studio album during the band's Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour, in support of California 37. Monahan stated in a Radio.com interview during the latter stages of the tour, "I'm going to spend the whole fall tightening up what I started and creating everything that I've wanted to. San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Nashville will be the main places I'll write it".[5] Monahan had also stated, in an interview with Jason Tanamor of Zoiks! Online, that due to the ambitions set for the new album, wanting to do their "best work", writing for Bulletproof Picasso was harder than what they had previously written and recorded.[6] The production team on the album were the following: Azeem, Espionage, Greg Kurstin, Jake Sinclair, Butch Walker and Whams.[7]

Packaging

[edit]

The title of the album, Bulletproof Picasso, while borrowing the name from the album's second track, also serves as a statement about the band's long-running career, representing the band's 20-year career as artists. The phrase Bulletproof Picasso is a reference to Spanish painter, poet and playwright Pablo Picasso, who, while in a different artistic medium to Train, who are musical artists, creates art nonetheless. The phrase means that the band, as artists, are bulletproof, and will continue as artists, dodging every bullet shot at them.[6]

Promotion

[edit]
The music video for "Angel in Blue Jeans" was shot in the Mojave Desert. The video was described as a Tarantino-style Spaghetti Western, which complemented the song's western influences; an overall influence in the composition of Bulletproof Picasso as an album.

Bulletproof Picasso was formally unveiled by the band and Columbia Records on June 9, 2014, announced for a September 16, 2014 release date in the United States.[8] "Angel in Blue Jeans" was the first track to be lifted from Bulletproof Picasso. The track was released as a single by Columbia Records on June 9, 2014, serving as the lead single from Bulletproof Picasso.[9] Guitarist Jimmy Stafford originally tweeted a cryptic message on May 5, 2014, a month before the release of "Angel in Blue Jeans", concealing the title of the single in an anagram that read, "sgijannulaebenel".[10] "Angel in Blue Jeans" was also released to Adult contemporary radio and Triple A radio for airplay on June 16.[11][12]

The album cover and track listing of Bulletproof Picasso was unveiled on July 15, 2014, with preorders for the album on digital download and physical formats starting on the same day. "Angel in Blue Jeans", which appears as the third track on the album, was also released early on the iTunes Store ahead of the full release of Bulletproof Picasso when pre orders for the album started on the store.[13][14] A music video to accompany the release of "Angel in Blue Jeans" was also released on July 15, coinciding with the commencement of preorders for Bulletproof Picasso.[15] The video, which featured American actor Danny Trejo as his Robert Rodriguez character Machete and Canadian television hostess and actor Hannah Simone, was shot in the Mojave Desert and is staged as a Tarantino-style Spaghetti Western.[16] It also stars lead singer Pat Monahan as the antagonist taking hostage of a woman, played by Simone, who acts as the love interest of Machete, played by Trejo.[17] The video had fetched over a million views by August 1, 2014.

The title track was released to iTunes on July 29, along with the announcement of a sauvignon blanc wine of the same name to be available when the album is released.[18]

A promotional single, "Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life", was released on August 25, 2014, preceding the release of Bulletproof Picasso.[19][20][21]

"Cadillac Cadillac" was sent to US Hot AC radio stations on September 29, 2014, as the second single off of the album.[22]

"Bulletproof Picasso" was sent to US Hot AC radio stations on January 26, 2015, as the third single off of the album.[22]

"Give It All" was sent to US Hot AC radio stations on May 19, 2015, as the fourth single off of the album.[22]

Picasso at the Wheel Tour

[edit]

Train had made numerous performances and appearances on television and radio in the three-month lead up to the release of Bulletproof Picasso. The band had expressed their intent to let fans hear new material on tour before Bulletproof Picasso was released in September, with Jimmy Stafford stating that they were "too excited to not play any other songs off the record", with Stafford being motivated by his opinion that Bulletproof Picasso was the best album the band had ever made.[23] Set lists staged for the band's pre-album performances included "Cadillac, Cadillac", "Bulletproof Picasso", "Angel in Blue Jeans" and "The Bridge"; the most new material the band had played on a single tour.[24] The band, however, while keen to perform new songs, felt uncomfortable at the possibility of throwing off long-time fans during the "limbo period" between the releases of "Angel and Blue Jeans" and Bulletproof Picasso, where fans have not heard the new material. Stafford further explained, "You don't want to put a song no one has heard between "Hey, Soul Sister" and "Meet Virginia" because it feels like a lull in the show. So it's tricky".[25]

The band's promotional media tour started with an appearance on Sirius XM Radio show The Howard Stern Show on June 9, 2014, coinciding with the album's unveiling. The band also premiered "Angel in Blue Jeans" on the show before the track was released as a single the same day.[8] The band also appeared on 94.3 FM The Point on June 11 as part of a radio special entitled "Breakfast with Train", where the band invited fans to ask questions and spend breakfast with them.[26] They performed on the Today Show on June 13, as part of the show's Toyota Summer Concert Series held at Rockefeller Center in New York City.[27] On August 27, they performed at the MLB Fan Cave in New York City.

The Picasso at the Wheel Tour was announced in January 2015, and began on May 21, 2015, in Wheatland, California.

Opening acts
Tour dates

Reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStar[29]
BillboardStarStarStarStar[30]
USA TodayStarStarStar[31]

Critical

[edit]

Writing for USA Today, Elysa Gardner says "The best tracks on Train's latest album are the driving and high-spirited ones, where Pat Monahan's sweet, keening tenor... evocative here of a Wings-era Paul McCartney... rides meaty but crisply percussive arrangements." Richard Bienstock for Billboard writes how "the Bay Area rock band buffed out the rootsier and rockier aspects of its sound for a more pop-centric approach" that's another "extension of its bid for mainstream glory."[30]

Commercial

[edit]

The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 albums chart on its first week of release, selling 50,000 copies in the United States in its first week.[32] As of June 2016, the album has sold 145,000 copies in the US.[33] The album also debuted at No. 7 on the Canadian Albums chart.[34]

Artwork

[edit]

The album art features a burning Cadillac (in reference to the album's single "Cadillac, Cadillac") with a licence plate that reads "PICASSO". This album art was cited among Billboard's worst album covers of 2014.[35]

Track listing

[edit]
Bulletproof Picasso
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Cadillac, Cadillac"Pat Monahan, Al Anderson, Butch WalkerWalker, Jake Sinclair[a]3:23
2."Bulletproof Picasso"Monahan, Walker, Trent Mazur, Michael FreeshWalker, Whams[a]3:53
3."Angel in Blue Jeans"Monahan, Espen Lind, Amund BjørklundWalker, Espionage, Sinclair[a], Ayb Asmar[a]3:25
4."Give It All"Monahan, Amir SalemAzeem, Sinclair3:44
5."Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)Monahan, Jerry Becker, WalkerWalker, Sinclair[a]3:23
6."Son of a Prison Guard"Monahan, BeckerWalker, Sinclair[a]3:39
7."Just a Memory"Monahan, Lind, Bjørklund, Naomi NevilleEspionage, Sinclair3:48
8."I'm Drinkin' Tonight"Monahan, Matraca Berg, BeckerWalker3:35
9."I Will Remember"Monahan, WalkerWalker3:13
10."The Bridge"Monahan, Greg Kurstin, WalkerKurstin4:29
11."Baby, Happy Birthday"Monahan, Eg WhiteWalker, White[b]3:43
12."Don't Grow Up So Fast"Monahan, Tom DouglasWalker3:23
Live in San Francisco – bonus disc[36]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Drive By"Monahan, Lind, Bjørklund 
2."Calling All Angels"Monahan, Charlie Colin, Jimmy Stafford, Scott Underwood 
3."Save Me, San Francisco"Monahan, Sam Hollander, Dave Katz 
4."Hey, Soul Sister"Monahan, Lind, Bjørklund 
5."Drops of Jupiter"Monahan, Colin, Rob Hotchkiss, Stafford, Underwood 
Total length:24:17
Notes
  • "Just a Memory" contains excerpts from "Pain in My Heart", as performed by Otis Redding and written by Naomi Neville.
  • ^[a] signifies an additional producer
  • ^[b] signifies a vocal producer

Personnel

[edit]
Train
Additional Musicians

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2014) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[37] 15
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[38] 141
Canadian Albums (Billboard)[39] 7
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[40] 144
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[41] 32
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[42] 32
UK Albums (Official Charts)[43] 9
US Billboard 200[44] 5
US Indie Store Album Sales (Billboard)[45] 20

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format Label Catalog no.
Germany[46] September 12, 2014 Digital download Columbia Records none
Australia[47]
France[48] September 15, 2014
United States[2] September 16, 2014
  • CD
  • Digital download
  • Vinyl

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bulletproof Picasso

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bulletproof Picasso is the seventh studio album by the American rock band Train, released on September 16, 2014, by Columbia Records.[1] The record marks the band's return to a full band lineup following their previous two albums and features contributions from guest vocalist Marsha Ambrosius on the track "Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life".[1] The album was recorded across multiple studios, including Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Crush Studios in New York, and Echo Studio in Los Angeles, with production handled by Butch Walker, Greg Kurstin, Espionage, and others.[1][2] Its title is taken from the second track of the same name, symbolizing resilience in creativity akin to the enduring artist Pablo Picasso.[3] Bulletproof Picasso consists of 12 tracks blending pop-rock elements with influences from country and electronic music, clocking in at 43 minutes and 38 seconds.[1] Key singles include the lead "Angel in Blue Jeans" (released June 9, 2014), "Cadillac, Cadillac" (September 29, 2014), the title track (January 26, 2015), and "Give It All" (May 19, 2015).[4][5] Upon release, the album debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, selling 50,000 copies in its first week and marking Train's fifth top-10 album on the chart.[6] It also reached number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and number 15 on the Australian Albums Chart.[7][8]

Production

Background

Following the commercial success of their sixth studio album California 37 in 2012, which included the top-10 hit "Drive By" and revitalized the band's pop-rock presence, Train aimed to sustain and expand their mainstream appeal with a follow-up that balanced accessibility and depth. Lead singer Pat Monahan described the creative drive as a deliberate shift toward more personal and emotional songwriting, drawing from intimate life experiences—including relationships, family, and resilience—to craft lyrics that evoked both melancholy and optimism, stating, "I've always wanted to emotionally connect with people through the songs." This approach marked a departure from the lighter tone of recent releases, positioning Bulletproof Picasso as a potential career highlight through rigorous revision and collaboration with established Nashville songwriters like Tom Douglas and Matraca Berg to elevate the material's quality.[9][10][11] The project also coincided with a key personnel transition, as founding drummer Scott Underwood departed the band after two decades, announcing his exit on June 6, 2014, to focus on songwriting, production, and other musical pursuits. Underwood's decision followed the California 37 era and left only Monahan and guitarist Jimmy Stafford as original members, prompting the recruitment of Drew Shoals as the permanent replacement; Bulletproof Picasso became the first Train album to feature Shoals, infusing the recordings with fresh energy.[12][13][14] Train formally announced the album title Bulletproof Picasso—a metaphor Monahan coined to symbolize unyielding artistic vulnerability—on June 9, 2014, via social media posts and a press release that accompanied the debut of lead single "Angel in Blue Jeans." The reveal generated buzz among fans, highlighting the band's intent to deliver an ambitious collection that Monahan hoped would "get into people's lives" beyond radio play.[4][13] Conceptual development for the album began in earnest during Train's 2013 Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour, a North American outing supporting California 37 that featured opening acts like The Script and Gavin DeGraw, providing Monahan opportunities to workshop ideas amid the rigors of live performance and travel. This on-the-road incubation period allowed the band to test emotional themes and refine demos, setting the foundation for the album's introspective core before formal production commenced.[15][16]

Recording

Recording for Bulletproof Picasso commenced during Train's 2013 Mermaids of Alcatraz Tour, as the band initiated the creative process while promoting their prior album California 37. Primary sessions occurred in Los Angeles, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, spanning late 2013 to early 2014, with additional work at studios including Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Echo Studio and The Lair Recording in Los Angeles, Espionage Studios and Crush Studios in New York.[17][1] The album was helmed by a team of producers—Azeem, Espionage, Greg Kurstin, Jake Sinclair, Butch Walker, and Whams—each contributing to specific tracks to shape the record's sound. For instance, Greg Kurstin produced "The Bridge," collaborating with Butch Walker on writing and additional engineering, while Espionage handled elements of "Angel in Blue Jeans" alongside Jake Sinclair. Butch Walker, a returning collaborator from Train's earlier work, brought his expertise to tracks like "I Will Remember," emphasizing a blend of rock energy and pop accessibility. This collaborative approach allowed for diverse sonic textures across the album.[2][18][19] The project wrapped principal recording by mid-2014, followed by mixing and mastering to prepare for its September 16, 2014, release through Columbia Records. The production emphasized live band instrumentation, including guitars from Jimmy Stafford and drums by new member Drew Shoals, augmented with digital enhancements to craft a vibrant pop-rock aesthetic suitable for radio play. This method preserved the group's organic energy while achieving a contemporary, polished finish.[1][9]

Composition

Musical style

Bulletproof Picasso exemplifies Train's evolution into a more mainstream pop rock sound, blending alternative rock foundations with folk-pop accessibility and subtle electronic flourishes to create radio-friendly hooks. The album marks a deliberate shift from the band's earlier work, emphasizing polished production that prioritizes catchy melodies over raw rock energy, as seen in its upbeat rhythms and layered arrangements. This approach contrasts with the more eclectic experimentation of their previous album California 37, delivering a sleeker, more cohesive sonic palette designed for broad appeal.[20][21] Instrumentation on the record features prominent electric guitars that provide rhythmic drive rather than lead solos, often receding into the background to support synthesizers and programmed drum elements that contribute to the electronic undertones. Upbeat percussion and bass lines underpin the tracks, fostering an energetic, danceable vibe, while acoustic guitars appear in select moments to evoke folk-pop warmth. Multiple producers, including Greg Kurstin and Butch Walker, contributed to this refined sound, enhancing the album's glossy finish without overshadowing the core pop rock identity.[20][22][23] The album draws influences from 1970s rock aesthetics through nostalgic references like the Cadillac motif, evoking classic American car culture and era-specific swagger, while incorporating modern pop sensibilities akin to Maroon 5's sleek fusion of rock and R&B. Reggae rhythms and neo-soul grooves add diversity, reflecting contemporary acts such as MAGIC! and Sam Smith. Track-specific highlights include the anthemic choruses of "Angel in Blue Jeans," built on twangy guitars and swelling pop drums for a soaring, hook-driven climax, and the rhythmic propulsion of "Cadillac, Cadillac," characterized by its Caribbean-inflected beat and lively percussion that mimic The Police's stylistic lilt.[21][20][22][23]

Lyrics

The lyrics of Bulletproof Picasso revolve around central themes of resilience, love, heartbreak, and self-reflection, drawing heavily from Pat Monahan's personal experiences accumulated over two decades with Train. Monahan has described the album as a means to emotionally connect with listeners through introspective storytelling, reflecting on the band's endurance amid industry challenges and his own life milestones.[10] These themes manifest in autobiographical elements, such as navigating relationships and artistic persistence, which Monahan infused to create universal appeal while grounding the content in his reality.[11] Song-specific motifs highlight these ideas vividly. The title track employs the metaphor of Pablo Picasso—symbolizing reinvention and artistic longevity—to convey resilience, with Monahan likening Train's career to "dodging bullets all these years and still existing as artists" after 20 years of ups and downs.[3] In "Angel in Blue Jeans," romantic escapism takes center stage through a dreamlike narrative of love at first sight, where Monahan sings of an idealized "angel" who appears in his dreams and becomes reality, evoking a sense of hopeful fantasy amid everyday longing.[24] "Cadillac, Cadillac" explores heartbreak and neglect, portraying a narrator's frustration with an inattentive partner on a metaphorical road trip, preferring solitude in a symbolic vehicle of escape over watching them "run around this dancefloor light." The songwriting process was collaborative, involving producers like Butch Walker and country songwriters such as Tom Douglas and Matraca Berg, who pushed Monahan to refine his craft iteratively for broader resonance. Monahan emphasized autobiographical honesty, often rewriting choruses up to 30 times to capture raw emotion without overanalyzing, resulting in chorus-driven storytelling that prioritizes catchy, anthemic hooks to draw listeners into personal narratives.[11] Poetic devices, including metaphors like the "bulletproof Picasso" for enduring reinvention, enhance the thematic depth, blending vivid imagery with accessible language to underscore self-reflection and emotional recovery.[3]

Packaging and artwork

Title and packaging

The title Bulletproof Picasso draws a parallel between the band Train and the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, symbolizing the group's enduring resilience after two decades in the music industry despite evolving trends and challenges.[3][23] Frontman Pat Monahan has described the name as a nod to Picasso's prolific and long-lasting career, positioning Train as similarly "bulletproof" in their ability to persist and innovate.[3] This concept was chosen to highlight the band's 20-year milestone, evoking a sense of durability amid the competitive landscape of popular music.[23] The album was released in multiple physical and digital formats to cater to diverse listener preferences. It appeared as a standard CD in a jewel case with a clear tray, accompanied by a 12-page booklet containing full lyrics, band photos, and production credits that integrate thematic artwork elements.[25] Vinyl editions were also produced, pressed on black 12-inch LPs at 33 RPM, offering collectors an analog option with the same tracklist.[26] Additionally, it was made available as a digital download through platforms like iTunes and Amazon, enabling instant access without physical media.[27]

Cover artwork

The cover artwork of Bulletproof Picasso depicts a burning Cadillac with a license plate reading "PICASSO" set against a vast desert landscape, evoking themes of destruction and renewal that align with the album's road-trip motifs and opening track "Cadillac, Cadillac."[28] The image employs a dominant color scheme of fiery reds and oranges to amplify the energetic, transformative atmosphere of the record. Symbolically, the Cadillac represents an enduring icon of the American dream, while the flames signify reinvention and resilience—mirroring the album title's nod to Pablo Picasso's unyielding artistic evolution amid adversity. Upon release, the artwork drew criticism for its perceived clichés, landing on Billboard's list of the 30 worst album covers of 2014, where it was likened to an outdated U2 concept with overused desert imagery and dated aesthetics.[28]

Promotion

Singles

The lead single from Bulletproof Picasso, "Angel in Blue Jeans", was released on June 9, 2014, as a digital download and to radio airplay. It peaked at No. 79 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. The accompanying music video, directed by Marc Webb and released on July 14, 2014, features actors Danny Trejo and Hannah Simone in a beach resort setting with themes of protection and romance, emphasizing the song's narrative of an angelic figure in casual attire.[29][30] The second single, "Cadillac, Cadillac", followed on September 29, 2014, available in digital formats including iTunes exclusives for pre-order bundles, alongside promotion via radio. It peaked at No. 10 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. A promotional video, released on October 31, 2014, and directed by Matthew Stawski, showcases the band in 1960s-inspired attire amid classic cars, capturing a nostalgic, road-trip vibe that aligns with the track's upbeat, escapist lyrics about longing and escape.[29][31][32] "Bulletproof Picasso", the title track and third single, was issued on January 26, 2015, primarily through digital downloads and radio promotion. The song, which explores themes of personal resilience and artistic endurance amid heartbreak, reached No. 14 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart. Its music video, released January 23, 2015, stars Emily Kinney and Reid Ewing in a narrative of emotional recovery, directed to highlight the lyrics' metaphor of unbreakable creativity.[29][33] The fourth and final single, "Give It All", arrived on May 19, 2015, in digital and radio formats, with limited iTunes availability tied to album editions. It had a more modest reception, peaking at No. 35 on the Adult Pop Airplay chart without entering the Hot 100, reflecting its introspective message of commitment and sacrifice. The official video, released concurrently, integrates dance and art elements to convey themes of loss and healing.[29][34]

Tours

The Picasso at the Wheel Tour served as the primary live promotion for Bulletproof Picasso, commencing with European dates in early 2015, including a performance at Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam on March 22, and extending to a major North American summer leg starting May 21 at Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Sacramento, California.[35][36] The tour encompassed over 50 dates across the US, Europe, and select international venues, with the album's promotional shows continuing into 2016 through additional summer outings.[37][38] Special guests The Fray and Matt Nathanson joined for the North American portion, enhancing the multi-act bill at amphitheaters and arenas.[36] Setlists emphasized debut live renditions of Bulletproof Picasso tracks, such as "Angel in Blue Jeans" and "Bulletproof Picasso," alongside staples from earlier albums including "Drops of Jupiter," "Hey, Soul Sister," "Drive By," and "Calling All Angels," which appeared in nearly every show.[37] This blend allowed fans to experience the new material within the context of Train's established hits, fostering a high-energy atmosphere across 41-42 performances of core songs.[39] Singles from the album, including "Angel in Blue Jeans," received prominent promotion through these live showcases.[37] Production elements drew inspiration from the album's artistic theme, featuring a stage set with fragmented geometric structures and dynamic video projections to evoke a sense of deconstructed creativity, supplied by Accurate Staging.[40] Merchandise offerings tied directly to the album's imagery, such as t-shirts depicting the cover's fiery Cadillac motif, were available at venues to complement the visual narrative.[41] The tour cycle also incorporated festival slots, like the July 25 appearance at Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington, and one-off international dates, such as the April 1 show at Sydney Opera House, broadening the album's global reach.[42][43]

Reception

Critical reception

Bulletproof Picasso received mixed reviews from music critics, who generally praised its accessible pop-rock elements while critiquing its lack of originality compared to Train's earlier work.[44] In USA Today, the album earned three out of four stars, with critic Elysa Gardner praising the driving and high-spirited tracks, where Pat Monahan's sweet, keening tenor rides meaty but crisply percussive arrangements, and recommending "Just a Memory" for download.[45] The album's reception aggregated to a mixed consensus, with an average score of around 60 out of 100 across review sites, underscoring its strong commercial appeal through radio-friendly hooks rather than groundbreaking artistic depth.[44]

Commercial performance

Bulletproof Picasso debuted at number 5 on the US Billboard 200 chart upon its release in September 2014, selling 50,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan figures. The album experienced modest commercial success internationally, peaking at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and spending four weeks in the top 100.[46] Digital streaming and ongoing plays helped sustain its visibility in subsequent years, though the album did not achieve any RIAA certifications such as gold status. Strong radio airplay for its singles played a key role in extending the album's market longevity beyond its initial release.

Credits

Track listing

All editions of Bulletproof Picasso feature the same standard track listing of 12 songs, with no significant regional variations or remixes reported. The album's total runtime is 43:38.[1]
No.TitleDuration
1"Cadillac, Cadillac"3:23
2"Bulletproof Picasso"3:53
3"Angel in Blue Jeans"3:25
4"Give It All"3:44
5"Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life" (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)3:23
6"Son of a Prison Guard"3:39
7"Just a Memory"3:48
8"I'm Drinkin' Tonight"3:35
9"I Will Remember"3:13
10"The Bridge"4:29
11"Baby, Happy Birthday"3:43
12"Don't Grow Up So Fast"3:23
The track listing is consistent across CD, digital, and vinyl formats.[47]

Personnel

The core lineup of Train for Bulletproof Picasso consisted of Pat Monahan on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Jimmy Stafford on lead guitar and backing vocals, Jerry Becker on keyboards and rhythm guitar, Hector Maldonado on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Drew Shoals on drums.[48][49] Additional musicians included Marsha Ambrosius as featured vocalist on "Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life", Nikita Houston and Sakai on backing vocals, and Rob Mathes, who arranged and conducted strings and horns on "Son of a Prison Guard", "The Bridge", and "Don't Grow Up So Fast".[48][25] Other session players contributing instruments across tracks were Aaron Zuckerman, Amir Salem, Butch Walker, Espen Lind, Greg Kurstin, Jake Sinclair, Larry Goetz, Mark Stepro, and Noah Gersh.[50] The production team was led by Butch Walker, who served as primary producer and recording engineer on the majority of tracks, with co-production credits to the band.[48] Track-specific producers included Greg Kurstin on "The Bridge", Amir Salem (as Azeem) on "Give It All", Espionage on "Angel in Blue Jeans", Whams on "Bulletproof Picasso", and Eg White on vocals for "Baby, Happy Birthday".[25][19] Jake Sinclair contributed as additional producer and recording engineer on multiple tracks, including "Cadillac, Cadillac", "Bulletproof Picasso", "Wonder What You're Doing for the Rest of Your Life", and "Son of a Prison Guard".[25] Additional engineering came from Butch Walker, Jake Sinclair, John McBride, and Julian Burg, particularly on "The Bridge".[51] Mixing was handled by Mark Endert at Indian River Studios in Merritt Island, Florida.[52] Mastering was performed by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound in New York.[53]

Chart performance and release

Charts

Bulletproof Picasso debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200 chart in September 2014, marking Train's fifth top 10 album on the chart.[6] The album also entered the top ten in multiple countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, reflecting its initial commercial momentum driven by lead singles like "Angel in Blue Jeans."[7]
Chart (2014)Peak position
Billboard 200 (US)5
Canadian Albums (Billboard)7
UK Albums (OCC)9
Australian Albums (ARIA)15
The album's chart trajectory saw it spend four weeks on the UK Albums Chart, with one week in the top ten, while it achieved a higher peak of number six on the Scottish Albums Chart.[7] In Australia, it entered at number 15 following the September release.[54]

Release history

Bulletproof Picasso was released internationally on September 12, 2014, in countries adhering to the global Friday release convention, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.[55] In the United States, the release occurred on September 16, 2014.[1] The album was issued by Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, with global distribution handled by Sony Music.[47] Available formats included standard and deluxe editions in compact disc, digital download, and vinyl, with some regional variations such as a vinyl/CD bundle in Europe.[47] Promotional bundles featuring exclusive merchandise were offered through online retailers in select markets.
RegionRelease DateLabel(s)Primary Formats
United StatesSeptember 16, 2014Columbia RecordsCD, digital download, LP vinyl
United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and other Friday-release countriesSeptember 12, 2014Columbia Records / Sony MusicCD, digital download, LP vinyl (with regional bundles)

References

  1. Bulletproof Picasso - Train | Album - AllMusic
  2. Bulletproof Picasso - Album by Train - Apple Music
  3. Bulletproof Picasso by Train - Songfacts
  4. Train Releases First Single Off Album 'Bulletproof Picasso' - K945
  5. https://www.discogs.com/release/6081988-Train-Cadillac-Cadillac
  6. Barbra Streisand Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200, Chris Brown at ...
  7. BULLETPROOF PICASSO – TRAIN - Official Charts
  8. Why Train's 'Bulletproof Picasso' was the 'Hardest Record' They've ...
  9. Train - Bulletproof Picasso - TheAudioDB.com
  10. Train Singer Pat Monahan Talks New Album 'Bulletproof Picasso ...
  11. Scott Underwood announces departure from Train
  12. Train feeding off a sense of hunger - PhillyBurbs
  13. Interview: Pat Monahan & Jimmy Stafford from Train - Spotlight Report
  14. Train Tour 2013 "Mermaids Of Alcatraz Tour" With The Script ...
  15. Train On World Cafe - NPR
  16. Album Review: Train – Bulletproof Picasso - Renowned For Sound
  17. Train - Bulletproof Picasso Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius
  18. Train - Bulletproof Picasso
  19. Train - Bulletproof Picasso (album review ) - Sputnikmusic
  20. Album Review: Train, 'Bulletproof Picasso' - The Pop Break
  21. Train - Bulletproof Picasso (2014) - Review - RockmusicRaider
  22. Train Falls Off The Tracks With 'Bulletproof Picasso' - The Heights
  23. http://www.zoiksonline.com/2014/07/exclusive-interview-train-front-man-pat.html
  24. https://www.radio.com/2014/09/26/train-pat-monahan-bulletproof-picture-interview/
  25. Train - Bulletproof Picasso
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/6146808-Train-Bulletproof-Picasso
  27. Bulletproof Picasso : Train: CDs & Vinyl - Amazon.com
  28. 30 Best & Worst Album Covers of 2014 - Billboard
  29. Train | Biography, Music & News | Billboard
  30. Train - Angel in Blue Jeans (starring Danny Trejo & Hannah Simone)
  31. Train - Cadillac, Cadillac (Official Video) - YouTube
  32. Train "Cadillac" (Matthew Stawski, dir.) - VideoStatic
  33. Train - Bulletproof Picasso (starring Emily Kinney & Reid Ewing)
  34. Train | Give It All (Official Video) - YouTube
  35. Train Setlist at Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam
  36. Train Set To Take Hit Album 'Bulletproof Picasso' On Picasso At The ...
  37. Train Tour Statistics: Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour | setlist.fm
  38. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/train-7bd6b650.html?tour=6bd6eee6
  39. Train Average Setlists of tour: Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour
  40. Train's 'Picasso at the Wheel' Tour - PLSN
  41. Train: Bulletproof Picasso Album Poster Flat - 12"x12" - Etsy
  42. Train: Picasso at the Wheel Summer Tour 2015 in George at Gorge
  43. Train Setlist at Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Sydney - Setlist.fm
  44. Album Review: Train, 'Bulletproof Picasso' - Billboard
  45. Listen Up: Tim McGraw, Barbra Streisand and Train - USA Today
  46. Train - Bulletproof Picasso - Reviews - Album of The Year
  47. TRAIN songs and albums | full Official Chart history
  48. Bulletproof Picasso - Album by Train | Spotify
  49. Train - Bulletproof Picasso
  50. Train - Bulletproof Picasso
  51. ‎Bulletproof Picasso - Song by Train - Apple Music
  52. https://www.discogs.com/release/12050359-Train-Bulletproof-Picasso
  53. Train - Bulletproof Picasso
  54. Mark Endert
  55. Bulletproof Picasso – Song by Train - Apple Music
  56. Slash and Train to perform NRL Grand Final - The Music Network
  57. ‎Bulletproof Picasso - トレインのアルバム - Apple Music
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