Hoobastank
'The Reason'
On Island Records
Grade: A-Hoobastank's new album, The Reason, has a lot in common with its second song entitled "Out of Control." The album is quite different from the band's previous self-titled debut. As the second major label release from this Southern California band, The Reason seems to pick up where "Pieces," the hardest song on their first album, left off. The music is rock-worthy with great beats from drummer Chris Hesse, and it has fantastic lyrics from lead singer Doug Ross and great sounds from guitarist Dan Estrin and bassist Markku Lappalainen. It sounds a lot harder than their last album, but it still includes some great ballads.
Hoobastank's sound has changed with each release, from their earliest attempts in The Basketball Shorts -which sounded almost like ska-to their self-titled release a few years back which was more alternative. The Reason, is another change of pace, featuring hard rock and great rock ballads and even a few songs that have a punk-like attitude to them.

The album starts off with their first single release, "Same Direction," and right off you can tell their sound has matured. Head-bobbing beats grind this song, along with most of the album. Awesome lyrics you can sing along with inspire thought, making one wonder such things as, "So why does there only have to be one correct philosophy?"

The second song on the album, "Out of Control" features some intense guitar combined with heavy lyrics such as, "I don't understand what you want from me/ 'cause I don't know if I can trust you/ or all of the things you've said to me." Guitars rip behind these lyrics and crazy screaming of "I'm out of control" make this hardcore song a great one to which one can let out all frustration.

The few ballads on the album consist of "Lucky" and "Unaffected," while the title song "The Reason" and "What Happened To Us?" are a couple of traditional rock ballads, combining smooth vocals with an acoustic guitar, yet still maintaining that rock-like sound. While the love songs on the album hit love as something to stay away from, the closing song, "Disappear" leaves a sense of hope for love. It offers the idea that love can conquer all and make the rest of the world "disappear." The lyrics say, "Do you know that every time you're near everybody else seems far away?/ So can you come and make them disappear?/ Make them disappear and we can stay..."

The album focuses on a few central themes such as love and independence. The love theme consists of a few angles-love between friends or lovers that can be tainted by disappointment or love that is in some way restricted. The theme of independence is really shown off in the song "Escape" where that version of independence is freedom from others and their opinions. "Let it Out" has a bit of a combination of both themes, defying love through independence. The song says, "I'm gonna show you how I feel/ I'm not afraid to let it out/ Who cares if you don't like it."

"Just One" is another song that merges the intense desire for a moment of independence with fierce music and crazy drumbeats that give it a punk-like feel. The independent theme is shown in the lyrics: "And if I knew when the door was open I'd go through/ I would go on through/ And I can say when I do I'll never be the same/ Never be the same..." Through the whole song Ross is saying what he wants, what he's got to have and what he will do for those things he wants.

The more upbeat rock ballad "From the Heart" is a passionate example of the love being restricted by others theme. The lyrics talk of how no one ever believed in the love two people had. People tore them down, mocked them and were unsupportive of anything the two people tried to do to stay together. It has a hint of hope in it with the lyrics, "We will rebuild them from the start/ we will rebuild them from the heart." There is a determination to keep the love alive, and they prevail to the opposition of everyone else. In addition to great chords, Hesse keeps a smooth beat and Markku has the right amount of bass to back up the powerful lyrics.

"Never There" begins with hard rock sounds and lyrics from Ross that basically spit in love's face. He is practically yelling at the "lover" in the song because this person is never around for anything. The song is another treat to fans that enjoy head bobbing and playing air guitar (or real guitar), and the lyrics really hit home.

All in all, The Reason is definitely some of the best work Hoobastank has come out with yet. They are neither POD nor Linkin Park, but they are rising in the music world with their own style of rock music and deep, meaningful lyrics. Hopefully, others will take Hoobastank's hard work for what it is: a great album, definitely worthy of replay that can hopefully bring them into the light for others to enjoy.