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Hoobastank - For(n)ever
- Crossover rock bands always struggle to walk that fine line between hard rock anthems and pop ballads. Hoobastank’s January 2009 release, “For(N)ever,” falls within that divide and will likely disappoint fans expecting one or the other. “For(n)ever” is a solid album that, unfortunately, doesn’t live up to their self-titled debut, which took the edgier line, or “The Reason,” which received praise for its chart-topping romantic ballads.
The real difference is that their first two records each produced several stand out singles, such as the title track to 2004’s “The Reason” and “Crawling In The Dark” from their 2001 debut record. While “For(n)ever” is good overall, not one song stands out because every track repeats the same theme; front man Doug Robb lashing out over failed relationships. Ok, he also sings about the high points in relationships too but still.
The reason, no pun intended, for this swing-and-miss can be chalked up to the band’s desire to return to the heights of their first two platinum albums. In order to do that, they apparently thought 39 minutes of dumbed-down lyrics and commercialized instrumentals were the way to go. Many considered this release a make or break scenario for the alternative rock band who have fallen off the radar in the last five years without a bona fide hit single. Sadly, an album that took more than one year to record with producer Howard Benson is best summed up as generic.
“My Turn” is a nice starting point for the album, teasing the post-grunge rock sound that Hoobastank seemingly left in 2001. However, it is only a tease, as the song grows complacent, relying too heavily on a catchy hook. The band bookends the album with soul-searching tracks, beginning with “My Turn” and ending with “Who The Hell Am I?” and the funk-infused “Gone Gone Gone.”
“I Don’t Think I Love You” and “So Close, So Far” fall off considerably in tempo, dragging the pace of the album with stale rhythms that just don’t connect with the listener. Similarly, “You’re The One” and “You Need To Be Here” are monotonous attempts at recreating “The Reason,” only less sincere.
“All About You” picks up the tempo and the promise of the alternative sound from the opening track, delivering on the intense quality I expected from “For(n)ever.” It might be the best song off this album. “The Letter” is an interesting track that plays on a guy finding a letter that reveals his love interest’s affair. Unlike the preceding slow songs, its haunting melody and emotional vocal are compelling and actually worth a listen.
“Tears of Yesterday” and “Sick Of Hanging On” gives us the rock sound that this album is largely missing, only to squander it by, again, expressing uncertainty about failed relationships. It's more angst-filled ballads.
Hoobastank seem to be searching for their musical identity, as well as their literal identities, a prominent theme in several songs from “For(n)ever.” Are they an alternative rock band, or just another commercial pop act? Again, they walk that fine line.
The best tracks on this album are “My Turn,” “All About You,” Sick Of Hanging On,” and “Gone Gone Gone.” Everything else, I say SKIP.
Reviewer: Brian Donnelly
new
Reviewer's Rating: 5
Reader's Rating: 1.00
Reader's Votes: 1
Added: 2-Jul-2009
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