This Agoura Hills four-piece is Island Records’ latest entry into the nu-metal sweepstakes. Hoobastank, the follow-up to the band’s self-released They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To, is a worthwhile affair comparable to Incubus, Linkin Park—sans the power-growl workouts—and Papa Roach. It’s only fitting that the band chose two of the latter band’s producers to help navigate. Although still in their 20s, these boys show a remarkable sense of melody on tracks like “Remember Me,” “Pieces” and the standout track “Too Little Too Late.” Dan Robb is competent in most vocal registers, aided by the able rhythm section of Markku Lappalainen and Chris Hesse. Although not my particular cup of tea, if I spiked my hair and wore loose pants once again, Hoobastank’s logo just might make its way onto my speedway jacket. Hoobastank is destined to become one of the genre’s brightest stars.
(SN&R)