Volume CXXXIII, Number 15 February 8, 2002 f

Hoobastank: innovators or imitators?
BEN KREIDER
STAFF WRITER

With the huge popularity of digital music and MTV, bands can go from being virtual unknowns to rising stars in a short period of time. Southern California hard rock band Hoobastank is a fine example of this phenomenon.

As of September, very few had even heard this band's quirky name, let alone its music. Now, after getting a supporting slot on Incubus's fall tour, steady radio play, and lots of spins on MTV, the band has made a name for itself. The first single, "Crawling In The Dark," has propelled them from virtual anonymity to huge success.

Their surge in popularity is undeniable, but it is questionable whether their album is actually anything more than a rip-off of Incubus.

The similarities between the two bands are astonishing. Both bands hail from the same area, and their vocalists sound and look similar. Members of the two bands are friends, and the groups have even toured together before this year.

Musically, they are also eerily alike. Both bands feature their good-looking frontmen quite prominently on stage and on their albums. Like Brandon Boyd of Incubus, Doug Robb writes lyrics that are more intelligent and sensitive than most. The band also utilizes numerous catchy pop hooks.
The album features some stellar songwriting and excellent melodies. Songs like "Running Away," "Pieces," and "Ready For You" are both mellow and aggressive at the same time. Like most of the other material, they consistently touch on such themes as youthful angst and problems with relationships.

The lyrics for "Crawling In The Dark" are typical: "Show me what it's for. Make me understand it. I've been crawling in the dark loking for the answer." Robb has written some beautiful poetry that ends up being surprisingly catchy. His abilities do not measure up to Boyd's, however.

On many other fronts, the band fails to match Incubus. While the album has a number of excellent tracks, there are also several filler tracks that add nothing to the album. Even with the filler, the album clocks in at under forty minutes. Incubus rarely makes such mistakes.

There is very little variety from one song to another. Each song has fairly simple riffs, an adequate rhythm section, and the same general length and tempo. The funky sounds and diversity Incubus are famous for are nowhere to be found. A DJ adds an element of complexity and variety that this album sorely lacks.

With that being said, this is still definitely worth a listen. The songs are highly emotional and the band members are all competent. As this band matures and develops their sound, they will surely become even more successful.
Yet the band does little to make the listener forget Incubus. As is often the case, the original is much better than the imitation.