A-side "Runaway Train II" (the unauthorised/unnecessary sequel to "Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum) sees troubleshooting lead-dude Sean Rawls hitch a ride, hobo-style, on an interstate freight train to make it to a friend's wedding. Flip the record and you get the wide-eyed "All Lips Touch", Still Flyin's infectious salute to unconditional love and, as the wry Rawls puts it, "uh, world peace, I guess".
The songs were recorded at the band's base in San Francisco and mixed in Melbourne. Haima Marriott (of Architecture in Helsinki fame) once again helms the mixing board, and this time 'round steps in on bass guitar, joining Rawls and his rambling assembly of indie flotsam.
With their palpitating rhythms and emphatic, chantable lyrics, both songs on Runaway Train II have fast become crowd favourites on recent US and European tours, and blazon a new direction for one of today's most exciting bands.
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