Review Summary: Hoobastank’s latest effort is a rollercoaster of love and heartbreak
This album is short only 40 minutes long, much like their 2nd album but I feel it’s cohesive .
My Turn the title track was an announcement to the world that “WE'RE BACK”. It was a good choice for the lead single getting people ready for what was to come, fast and furious.
I Don’t Think I Love You continues the fast pace nature that dominates most of the record.
So Close So Far the next single, which could have more appeal than
The Reason shows the more toned down side of the album. The pace picks speed again with
All About You which centers on how the other person in the relationship focuses more on themselves than there significant other. Doug delivers the words with bite and anger as to why they act this way. The song flows right into the next track
The Letter without a break or pause. The distance of the other person is explained, they were cheating!
Tears of Yesterday starts out similar to “If I were you” with a odd musical arrangement and has a piano playing throughout.
Now Doug has come to terms with his cheating lover moves on seeming to be hopeful of things to come.
Sick of Hanging On starts with the Chris on a middle drum tempo, and Rob following with a fast chord change before Doug have half sings half talks the song. The bite from the second track is back but doesn’t sound as strong.
You’re The One is
The Reason of
For(N)ever, seemly the same song just with different lyrics, beat, and chords.
Who the Hell Am I, which could have replace My Turn as the lead single, has the self assurance of
Every Man for Himself. Doug really let’s his voice shine.
You Need To Be Here, which sounds like it was recorded during their Reason era. It’s probably the one of the upbeat songs on the record, however Doug’s voice seems muffed throughout especially when he sings, “these moments never last”.
Gone Gone Gone, the final track, ends with hard rock vibe rather than with a ballad and has a low key funk riff. Doug’s voice seems to be in the background against the drum beat and guitar.
The songs are short mainly staying around 3 minutes in length but do a good job of getting the point of the subject across. The lyrics don’t seem liked the were rushed to make a hit song, but written with thought and substance. Doug’s voice improved and expand to the emotional rock of
So Close, So Far to the frustration of
All about You. The song flow similar to
Every Man for Himself is evident but not as much only limited to a few songs. Most of Rob’s guitar playing it fast quick chord changes only slowed down for the ballads. Chris’ drumming at times overpower or drown out Doug’s vocals, but other than that he keeps within dynamics. Hoobastank does seem hell bent on having a bass player, but when they do find one he normally leaves sometime later. Allmusic said this was a breakup album and they were right. All the songs deal with relationships in some way whether it’s falling in love, loss, anger and jealously.
For(N)ever could be Hoobastank’s best album taking the good aspect of their last efforts and forming it into one piece.
Recommended Tracks:
So Close So Far
All About You
Sick of Hanging On
Who the Hell Am I?
