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Best known for their 2004 hit ‘The Reason’, American rock band Hoobastank are back with a new offering, Fight or Flight. The band who recently signed with Open E Entertainment and have had an 18 year career, are opening a new chapter with this one, focusing on the future rather than making the same music they did in the past.
Opening the album is ‘This Is Gonna Hurt’, which erupts to life with a punchy drum beat and an ecstatic distorted guitar riff. It’s certainly an anthem, one which is catchy as hell, with Doug Robb’s gruff vocals soaring above a deep twanging bass and thunderous drums. It’s a promising start, and sees the band’s old sound coming back to life.
‘You Before Me’ is a sedate number, beginning with a slow guitar melody that is joined by Robb’s vocals that seem to drawl in the ever-catchy chorus. Followed by ‘The Fallen’, it’s hard not to mistake this track for the one before, interlaced with a soaring chorus but solemn verses. Fourth track ‘Can You Save Me?’ shadows the previous tracks, coupled with lyrics “You’re the one who can pull me out of the holes I always dig”, it’s not hard to see what this song is about. The band are older now, are married and have families, and it’s clear that Fight or Flight reflects those experiences.
For those who are expecting to hear a blast from the past, you would surely be mistaken. The brash element of fun from previous albums is overshadowed by a sense of serious adult emotion. Gone are the wired, twisted vocals from ‘Out of Control’ (2003) and the upbeat naughtiness from ‘Inside of You’ (2006). But what we have to remember here is this is a new direction.
‘No Destination’ is a toe tapper, crammed with a punchy rhythm and heartfelt lyrics, but it doesn’t last long as songs like ‘Slow Down’, ‘Sing What You Can’t Say’ and ‘Magnolia’ bring back the grown up side to the record, each one an intimate and sensitive offering, proposing the bands new and emotional era.
‘Incomplete’ is a standard rock song, starting with a fast drum-beat and poppy guitar riffs. Bringing the album to a close is ‘1000 words’, which starts as a slow acoustic number that is ultimately joined by the rest of the band and Robb’s ballad like voice singing “1000 words trapped inside me”. It’s a lovely, almost enchanting end to the record, and certainly has the bands new beginning in mind.
Hoobastank have certainly grown up with this record. Fight or Flight is an an amalgamated album, the majority of which is a clear struggle for self-awareness, heartbreak and love, while the minority uses the melodies of the Hoobastank of old. To sum it up in a word, it’s nice. In a few more, it’s catchy and is produced impeccably well. But it’s not breaking any new boundaries here, and in some ways, is far too tame. It’s a disappointing comeback from the boys, but perhaps, being grown-up now, they can learn from this and put the oo back into Hoobastank.
Fight or Flight is released on September 11th via Open E Entertainment.
Opening the album is ‘This Is Gonna Hurt’, which erupts to life with a punchy drum beat and an ecstatic distorted guitar riff. It’s certainly an anthem, one which is catchy as hell, with Doug Robb’s gruff vocals soaring above a deep twanging bass and thunderous drums. It’s a promising start, and sees the band’s old sound coming back to life.
‘You Before Me’ is a sedate number, beginning with a slow guitar melody that is joined by Robb’s vocals that seem to drawl in the ever-catchy chorus. Followed by ‘The Fallen’, it’s hard not to mistake this track for the one before, interlaced with a soaring chorus but solemn verses. Fourth track ‘Can You Save Me?’ shadows the previous tracks, coupled with lyrics “You’re the one who can pull me out of the holes I always dig”, it’s not hard to see what this song is about. The band are older now, are married and have families, and it’s clear that Fight or Flight reflects those experiences.
LISTEN // Hoobastank - 'This is Gonna Hurt'
For those who are expecting to hear a blast from the past, you would surely be mistaken. The brash element of fun from previous albums is overshadowed by a sense of serious adult emotion. Gone are the wired, twisted vocals from ‘Out of Control’ (2003) and the upbeat naughtiness from ‘Inside of You’ (2006). But what we have to remember here is this is a new direction.
‘No Destination’ is a toe tapper, crammed with a punchy rhythm and heartfelt lyrics, but it doesn’t last long as songs like ‘Slow Down’, ‘Sing What You Can’t Say’ and ‘Magnolia’ bring back the grown up side to the record, each one an intimate and sensitive offering, proposing the bands new and emotional era.
‘Incomplete’ is a standard rock song, starting with a fast drum-beat and poppy guitar riffs. Bringing the album to a close is ‘1000 words’, which starts as a slow acoustic number that is ultimately joined by the rest of the band and Robb’s ballad like voice singing “1000 words trapped inside me”. It’s a lovely, almost enchanting end to the record, and certainly has the bands new beginning in mind.
LISTEN // Hoobastank - 'The Reason'
Hoobastank have certainly grown up with this record. Fight or Flight is an an amalgamated album, the majority of which is a clear struggle for self-awareness, heartbreak and love, while the minority uses the melodies of the Hoobastank of old. To sum it up in a word, it’s nice. In a few more, it’s catchy and is produced impeccably well. But it’s not breaking any new boundaries here, and in some ways, is far too tame. It’s a disappointing comeback from the boys, but perhaps, being grown-up now, they can learn from this and put the oo back into Hoobastank.
Fight or Flight is released on September 11th via Open E Entertainment.
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