Hoobustank is a band that is gaining quite the reputation as of late in the attention of many and this CD is a shining example of why. Do they deserve it? after listening to the album I can wholeheartedly say yes. The band carries quite a few Incubus connections, the CD was produced by Jim Wirt who produced Incubus first 3 albums and Jeremy Wasser who plays the saxophone in the band, guested on Incubus's song "Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)". The band also carries some similarities with the funk flavored rhythms and the at times Brandon Boyd sounding vocals of Douglas that they possess. With all this the band is sure to get thrown into a heap with Incubus somewhere along the line but are they just another clone? Indeed they are not, this band has a very nice style and niche all it's own. The music can best be described as older Incubus Lightly peppered with the Ska Influences shared with The Urge or Dial-7 and at times the upbeat rhymes of possibly Zebrahead. The vocals are very melodic and sharply on point. They always hit with the song perfectly blending into a lush vibrant sound in which the skilled sax playing of Jeremy really adds something unheard before. The deft use of Wah's and funk riddled chords and juggling drumbeats plus the solid foundation of swaying basslines add a really warm feel to the music that would suggest Jazz, Funk and Ska and a tad bit of Metal influences are what these boys were fed as toddlers. But to classify this band into one category would be a task not easily accomplished. Songs can range from the mesmerizing darker edged funk of "Earthsick" to the upbeat Ska of "The Dance That Broke My Jaw" and everything in between. Lyrical content is for the most part very philosophical and introspective dealing with relationships, overpopulation, society's classing and other more intelligent subjects. All of which show that intelligence can have a place in our genre without resorting to any preachy political banter. Although in contrast the CD closes out with a hilarious prank call to Mcdonalds which shows the bands humorous side. This band is one that will definitely make it's way-out of the trenches and shine if given the chance, and one that deserves it. A very good CD only marred by the one mark of at times some songs kind of sound the same, almost all stand out though in their own way but a little more variation or experimentation between tracks could make this band untouchable. The band sounds as though they're very comfortable in their groove and current style but I feel also that they seem as if they might have some boundaries set, and if they pushed themselves out just a bit further to explore a few different directions the music's depth would be all the more captivating and that is never a bad thing.
(4.5 / 5)