(Island/Def Jam)

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Ooohhh, this is a tough one. Do I go with my gut instinct, which tells me that this is just a so-so pop album from another nu metal band that sounds just like everything else on MTV, or do I try really hard to find something interesting and exciting about this for the sake of not bashing every album from this genre.

Well, I’m gonna give it a shot….

There’s certainly are lotsa big guitars on here…but there’s also lotsa wimpy, jangly ones too. But the big fat ones sound really huge and metallic, so that’s cool I guess.

Well, there are lots of hooks on here. Nearly every song comes equipped with buckets and buckets of easy to hum pop hooks. Some, like on “Ready For You” or “Let You Know,” are just two or three easy to remember words sung in succession. Here’s one: “To Be With You.” Now you try it aloud. See?

There is an abundance of heartfelt emotion here, that’s for sure. You can practically hear the guy emoting all over the floor as he croons about being “up and gone” and “far away.” Sometimes he gets really angry and his voice kinda distorts, but most of the time he’s very pretty and croons about lost love and, well, you know, not really being a people person.

The guys in the band are all young and cute and look like they drink Lite beer, which is sure to make the little girls swoon and the MTV execs wet their pants. Me? I dunno, kinda gets under my craw. I can barely find one friend of mine girls think is hot, least of all four…in one band. Just doesn’t seem realistic. Where’s the fat drummer or bassist. Bands that are too good looking make me nervous. It’s like they’re hiding something… I digress.

There are lots of cool harmonies and backing vocals that musta taken a longtime to practice. The vibe is kinda like Incubus but a tad heavier and a little less funky. Get it?

And oh yeah, I forgot the best part…they have a bitchin’ logo!!! And we all know that is the most important part of a successful band, right? Well, that and a good name. And we don’t even have to discuss the name. I got one word for ya, buddy: Hoobastank!!! Need I say more?

I bet the video is rad though….

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