Hoobastank - Hoobastank
(Island, 2001)

Hoobastank are part of this new trend in mainstream rock, one that has a melodic but hip-hop influenced vocalist, eclectic rhythms, pop sensibility, and generally heavy guitar riffage (see Incubus, Default, Chevelle, et cetera). The word pop doesn't necessarily have to be taboo, it is only when the music becomes so candy coated that it becomes the putrid squandering of shelf space that makes up the majority of programming on MTV today. Hoobastank manage to incorporate this feature into their music and still retain songs that rock. And many songs on Hoobastank rock with a fervor not seen in popular music since the eighties, with their pitch-perfect harmonies and powerful guitar work.

The pop-metal of Crawling In The Dark is an excellent opener for this album, a fire-forged, fist-pumping anthem for the youth of America. The song excellently shows the aptitude of lead vocalist Douglas Robb, who has a powerful range that really gives this band an extra card to play. The next song on the album, Remember Me, is the true masterpiece, with a powerful, memorable chorus that grooves like no other. Also of importance on this release is mid-pace rocker Better, eighties style smooth chomper Ready For You, and the melodic guitar-dominated closer Give It Back.

There is, however, filler in the lighter tracks, which try to imitate second rate Incubus and fail miserably, the exception being Running Away, an excellent acoustic jam. The addition of a few electronic samples (mostly techno beats and the like) on some of the songs could have added to the music if done correctly, but was not necessary in the least. Furthermore, their pop craftings can occasionally get slightly nauseating. But hey, half the songs on the record rock seriously with a crunching vengeance, and Hoobastank holds a penchant for songcraft not seen since the days of bands like Rainbow and similar melodic metal bands, but updated for the new millenium. I've given it a three, but call it a higher three (a three plus if you will). Pop? Maybe, but if pop in this case is a court martial offense, then I'm guilty as charged.

Rating: 3/5