Formed in the wake of grunge music, Agoura Hills, California’s Hoobastank obviously has a cringe band name, but you keep on saying it, likely in jest, so it does its job. Today we are attempting to rank all seven, yes, SEVEN, of their full-length studio albums from worst to best. Last year, in the year of our lord known as 2023, Hoobastank successfully rejoined the rock and “rock” collective conversation with a, err, sick, self-aware, rockin’, and performance at the inaugural “Sick New World” in Las Vegas with fellow early-aughts butt-rock/post-grunge/hard rock/klezmer superstars as Chevelle, Papa Roach, Evanescence, and The Del-Vikings. In closing before our opening, Hoobastank has more songs than Ralphs supermarket favorite “The Reason,” which also doubled as a song in the finale from “Friends,” proving that it is truly the band who laughs last:
7. Fight or Flight (2012)
Before we get into the stinker album position, if Hoobastank’s sixth full-length studio album, the one that the world calls “Fight or Flight,” consisted of their “Ghostbusters” cover that came out between this LP and its predecessor “Fornever,” it would be at number six for sure, but that omission is what makes horse racing. On that note, said Ray Parker Jr. cover deserves more attention than “Fight or Flight,” and to quote/butcher Andy Dufresne, “That’s all we have to say about that.” Anyway, “Fight or Flight” is the Hoobastank’s first non-major label release since their debut album but it just isn’t as enjoyable, as it’s more of the same from the band, which is not bad per se, but not enough to get out of the meh ranking here.
Play it again: “This Is Gonna Hurt”
Skip it: About ⅓ of it
6. Fornever (2009)
Similar to what we said about “Fight or Flight,” Hoobastank’s fifth LP, “Fornever” couldn’t be listed last because of its “play it again” winner, “The Letter.” Unfortunately it feels that the band’s momentum and general impact since “The Reason” slowed down with each subsequent release, but we are told that happens to a lot of bands. Fun fact: A&R executive and Executive Producer for Barenaked Ladies’ “Hybrid Theory,” Jeff Blue, co-wrote track three, “So Close, So Far,” but it seems that this album literally lived up to the words in its title, and was the band’s last for Island Records. Gone gone gone? Not from Earth, but certainly rock radio. Still, songs 1-3 deserve your time, and if said numbers were on a four-song EP with “The Letter,” said Extended Play would be perfect.
Play it again: “The Letter” (with or without Vanessa Amorosi)
Skip it: Just under ⅓ of it
5. Push Pull (2018)
As we said about their “Ghostbusters” musical tribute, Hoobastank can flawlessly execute cover songs, and the band’s seventh and newest LP showcases such in brilliant splendor with their rendition of Tears For Fears’ “Head over Heels.” While this studio album is a departure for sure, it was a necessary one, and the band’s album delivery of the furthest thing from the butt, slower pop-rock with an R&B influence. Produced by Matt Wallace of Ludo, Faith No More, The Replacements, and Maroon 5 “Songs About Jane” fame, Hoobastank took an intentional or unintentional influence from the latter’s blockbuster effort, which not so coincidentally was their first and last album front-to-back one could listen to without comparing the five to a bucket. Was this whole section better left unsaid? Well, there will never be another one regarding “Push Pull” here, so just let it go.
Play it again: Tears For Fears’ “Head over Heels”
Skip it: About ¼ of it
4. They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To (1998)
From the artists formerly known as Hoobustank. That’s right, Hoobastank used to have an even worse name. The band’s full-length studio album debut “They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To” was likely what started local 818 “baby” Incubus comparisons a la “Fungus Amongus,” much like HoobAstank’s self-titled LP has major “Make Yourself” vibes. Still, regardless of whether their San Fernando Valley peers existed, this album is an underrated effort, and we will forever long for DSPs to upload it on sites not called YouTube; DistroKid is easy, fam. Funnest fact here: The band originally had a full-time saxophone member but was NOT a tried and true third-wave ska punk act. This record is most certainly what got the band their major label deal, but despite what some crunk punks in Canoga Park may say, they only got better, especially with their next three releases.
Play it again: “Earthsick”
Skip it: Just under ¼ of it
3. Self-Titled (2001)
Produced by Jim Wirt, who also led behind the boards for the aforementioned Incubus, Something Corporate, The Rocket Summer, Hoobastank seemingly came out of nowhere with a surprising to some and unsurprising to you cool cats self-titled sophomore album, which was VERY far from a slump. We surmise that if you’re still reading this or haven’t even started to do so yet, you feel that “Crawling in the Dark” walked towards you so “The Reason” could scurry away. Also, there is little filler on this effort, and “Hoobastank” also seamlessly segues track into track and just flows seemingly effortlessly from front to back. Coming in at just under forty minutes, that is no small feat. This album also has the double distinction of eventually selling a Platinum amount, and landing at number ONE on Billboard’s US Heatseekers Albums.
Play it again: “Running Away”
Skip it: “To Be With You”
2. The Reason (2003)
Lots of times a band’s second major label release, if they successfully withstood the idea and literal act of being dropped unceremoniously by said conglomerate, is a far bigger budget but similar sonic version of its predecessor on steroids a la Vince McMahon with better songs and production. “The Reason” is no exception, and its title track is without hyperbole one of the biggest songs from this century, and will likely enhance or infect weddings forever. Not enough niceties can be said about producer Howard Benson’s epic work on the lead vocals and all vocal harmonies, as it could be a blueprint for all hard and soft rock acts moving forward. Maybe if this album came out twenty-years later a Kanye West music video feature would have been far more vomit-inducing, but here it was somehow endearing.
Play it again: “Disappear”
Skip it: “Lucky”
1. Every Man for Himself (2006)
Hoobastank’s third of four major label efforts, and fourth of seven LPs, “Every Man for Himself” is a “no skip” release, as referenced below, and easily/truly highlights the band at their finest hour minus nine minutes, despite the fact that you can’t namecheck a single song on it, poser. For the globe, this album’s diversity may have been a mainstream-avoiding curveball, but if you haven’t had a chance to dig into it, give it a go, which you will love, unless you don’t. If you like a slab of medium rare beef with your sweets, here’s some A.1. Steak Sauce: It is rumored that the late Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and Audioslave is referenced in an unflattering manner in single #1, “If I Were You,” and said tea was stirred after viewing the band’s then-recent tour history.
Play it again: “The Rules” – “More Than A Memory”
Skip it: Being a bad little miscreant with amnesia