Hoobastank: Hoobastank : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

The worst band name since Psychefunkapus just wasn't good enough. Hoobastank had to trump themselves with generic hard rock, perfect for unimaginative radio stations looking to expand their play lists beyond Linkin Park, Orgy, Saliva and Disturbed. The Agoura Hills, California quartet's second album is perfectly competent -- we've heard all Dan Estrin's big-metal guitar riffs before; singer Doug Robb has the moany high pitch that's going around metal these days; and the rhythm section (bassist Markku Lappalainen and drummer Chris Hesse) might sound fine with more distinctive frontmen. Hoobastank is recording a video, which means the pleasantly catchy, loud-soft-loud opener "Remember Me" or the requisite moody ballad "To Be With You" is bound to be an MTV hit and make the band very rich. Why not? They seem like nice guys.

STEVE KNOPPER
(November 28, 2001)