The second major label release from the Southern California quartet known as Hoobastank seems to pick-up where the hardest song, 'Pieces', on their first self-titled album left off. The Reason starts with a tune called 'Same Direction' that makes the heart pound furiously as every beat hits the eardrum. The fast paced rocking continues with the album's first single 'Out of Control' which has been enjoying moderate rotation on major stations across the nation. Perhaps it was with the guidance of producer Howard Benson (P.O.D., Cold) that Hoobastank felt comfortable experimenting and expanding their sound, or maybe it was completely of their own design, but those looking for Hoobastank to stick to the formula that made their self-titled release a platinum selling CD will be in for a surprise as they continue to listen to 'The Reason'.

Chief songwriter and guitarist, Dan Estrin, pulls from his eclectic past of 80's metal and Elton John infused roots to deliver songs that successfully blend power chords with smooth sensual beats. One can almost see Estrin posing arena rock style, while masses of fans nod their heads to the infectious beat of 'Just One'. Acoustic guitar is intermingled with electric on a few songs and strings are incorporated onto several tracks - 'Lucky', 'The Reason' and 'Disappear'. All of the songs showcase guitar that switches between riffs and intricate picking for the verses and the chords. A technique that was present on quite a bit of their self-titled album and is masterfully showcased on almost every song of the new release.

Estrin's trademark guitar work is heard on the title track jewel of the album, with the picking during the verses that then blends in riffs as it leads into the chorus. The lyrics of the song, 'The Reason', appeal to the hopeless romantic in all of us. What woman or man for that matter wouldn't love to hear their loved one proclaim, "I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be/a reason to start over new, and the reason is you". These lyrics drip like honey over hypnotic bass and guitar lines. 'The Reason' has all the makings to become a truly classic rock power ballad.

Lyrically singer Doug Robb focuses on two central themes throughout the album - love and independence. Love, whether it be love that is shared amongst friends or between lovers. In 'Never There', the plaintive words could be applied to any relationship be it friendship or romantic. On most of the love tracks Robb speaks of love that is tainted with disappointment ('What Happened to Us') or perhaps restricted by others ('Unaffected'). But as seen in the graceful closing song of the album, Robb leaves us with a glimmer of hope that love can conquer all and succeed in making the rest of the world seemingly 'Disappear'.

As its title entails, 'Escape' focuses on the other major theme of the album - freedom from others and their opinions. Despite the borderline cheesy lyrics of this track, the captivating beat of Chris Hesse's drums results in a hook that stays in your head for hours. Excellent drum work on 'Let It Out' along with Robb's proclamation of "I'm gonna show you how I feel/I'm not afraid to let it out/Who cares if you don't like it" results in an aggressive love song that defiantly thumbs it's nose at criticism.

A few songs touch on both themes where the lovers are trying to break free from a world that is against them. In 'From the Heart', it's them against a world that "kept on saying we'd never amount to anything/all of the dreams we built from the ground/they never believed them just tore them down". While 'Unaffected' speaks about the detractors of a relationship and 'What Happened to Us' addresses a relationship that gives into the external pressures and ultimately fails. Overall, Robb chooses words and themes that can be related to by anyone and in doing so opens a listener's ears to take in not only the message Robb's lyrics hope to convey but also the sweet sounds of Estrin, Hesse and bassist Markku Lappalainen.

This album is Hoobastank at their finest, thus far. It might seem easy to dismiss a band whose name is a long running joke as insincere. But 'The Reason' is infused with just the right amount of hubris in the deeply personal lyrics provided by Robb, the fervent delight of expressive freedom translated in Estrin's chords, and even through the plain simplicity of the CD's artwork that the sincerity and passion behind this band and their music is completely evident. Hoobastank has never been afraid to take risks, as seen in their evolution from their first independent endeavor 'They Sure Don't Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To' to their self-titled release and now the progression to 'The Reason'. This may not be the album that makes Hoobastank a household name but it definitely succeeds in satisfying those people looking for more than a 'Crawling in the Dark' part 2.

by Yuri Shimoda, Trouble Bunch Music