Ever since their 2001 mainstream-airwave breakthrough, Train has been dwelling on the prosperous side of the tracks, residing in a cozy community populated with devoted fans and void of dangerous criticism. The band's first two albums garnered triplet FM hooks, while the remainder of the tracks were left unnoticed, hidden in the high-noon shadow of an overexposed single. But that's how Train really shines: Their sound can be overplayed without being tiring. The San Franciscan boys have discovered a secret formula — they've been able to produce major hits without generating harmful conviction, earning them dual-Grammy success, undisputed respect and power to stay in the Top 40 lineup.

But it appears from their latest album, For Me, It's You, that Train is tired of commanding its viewers to meet Virginia. Instead, they've attempted to stretch beyond that tumbleweed arena-pop they made famous and diversify their sound by highlighting a tight orchestration, rich production and cohered band unison.

Although lead signer Pat Monahan continues to play his role as the mega-intense, deep-eyed conductor, he's added bassist Johnny Colt from the Black Crowes and John Mayer's former keyboardist Brandon Bush to the roster. For Me proves the new lineup to be a success, as Train has engineered a fresh and revitalized sound, professionally manicured yet as wholesome as ever.

Their new sound flirts with danger — although collectively a smoother ride than their two previous albums, For Me still ignites the fasten seatbelt sign as it twists and turns in tempo and style, battling uphill on the exhaustive first track, "All I Ever Wanted," and excitingly plummeting back down on the following fervent tune, "Get Out."

These opening tracks illustrate the most noticeable difference between For Me and the band's previous releases: Their latest album ceases to plateau. Train never rides below half-tank. There's no dying out for this quintet as passion is in control of the wheel and refuses to take a break in a safe-bet town. While their other albums secured success with a catchy single, all 13 tracks on For Me have the potential to reach Top 10 countdowns around the globe. Not one of the new songs sticks out more than any other, making the album as risky as it is deep.

Train offers an alternative mode of transportation with their first single, "Cab," a brilliantly composed number that doesn't match that same addictive hook of "Calling All Angels." Instead, the track delivers rich production and metaphorical bliss, as Monahan ever so smoothly intones, "Making my way on the town and down / seeing familiar places, faces / In my pile of coffee grounds."

Although a questionable choice for first single in terms of record-sale stimulation, "Cab" is Train's sharpest release to date. Guided by a vigorous piano and accompanying orchestra, the song both lyrically and melodiously illustrates, with perfect accuracy, the loneliness felt during an unforgiving New York City winter.

In the past, it was Monahan's velvety-smooth voice that drove the group to success, but with For Me, the vocals play an inferior role to the unruffled instrumentations — the shattering piano, poignant orchestration and flirtatious strings make this album Train's most flavorful work yet. Previously compared to a less-cheesy version of Hootie, the brilliant cohesion revealed throughout For You gives Train permission to ride along side of accomplished, ear-friendly rock groups like The Wallflowers and Better Than Ezra.

The track "Shelter Me" exemplifies Train's predictable buoyant addiction but adds a '60s-inspired sparkle, making it more pop than rock. The following track, "Expectation," seamlessly transfers the album's mood — its melancholic melody delivers a chilling crispness unheard on previous successes.

The lyrical aspect of the album, however, derails what would otherwise be a first-class ride. Monahan's been playing on an emotional teeter-totter over the last few years, balancing the pain of divorce with the joy of fatherhood. But if For You is any indication, it's apparent that the front man has trouble transferring his sentiment onto paper. Whether obtusely claiming, "I won't run unless I'm running after you," embarrassingly asking, "What's your favorite color, your sign, your basic sense of style and your date of birth?" or colorlessly chanting, "Skyscraper, You define the skyline" Monahan is lucky that the power of his supple voice overshadows whatever he is clumsily trying to say.

Five years have passed since Virginia was still a stranger, and after a half-decade of reenergizing their sound and searching for their Soul Train, Monahan and company have developed an album that surpasses all expectations. For You is a rich and enlivening ride that may have opted for a different route but still manages to arrive at its destination of success.

Rating: 4 out of 5