Train

Train's self-titled debut is where the American rock band's story begins. The group made it themselves for $25,000, putting it out independently under the Wolfgang Records banner in 1996. It sits in a lean, melodic corner of alternative and pop rock, with hooks that suit the radio.

The album found a much wider audience once Columbia Records picked it up for a public release in 1998. Three singles followed. "Meet Virginia" was the biggest, reaching No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Free" did its best work on rock stations and was also featured on Party of Five, and "I Am" came third. The record has since been certified platinum by the RIAA, which makes it a handy starting point for anyone who knows the band only from their later years and wants to hear how they sounded at the outset.