The Reason is the second studio album by American rock bandHoobastank, released on December 9, 2003 by Island Records. Produced by Howard Benson, it was the band's last album to feature bassist Markku Lappaleinen prior to his departure in 2005. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, The Reason peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200 and was eventually certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America; currently, it has sold over 2.3 million copies in the United States alone. Four singles were released from the album: "Out of Control", "The Reason", "Same Direction", and "Disappear".
Writing and recording
The band entered the studio in 2003 with producer Howard Benson, who has produced records by P.O.D., Cold and The Crystal Method. However, recording was disrupted for a month when guitarist Dan Estrin was seriously injured in a minibike accident in August. Estrin had recovered by October and the band headed off on a Nokia Unwired Tour with the All-American Rejects and Ozomatli in November. Lyricist and vocalist Doug Robb said in a biography on the band's website that several songs on the album are about questioning what you are told. "A lot of it is about asking questions or questioning all that people see. It's not all about religion. "Out of Control" is about that and about opening your eyes after being blinded by being devoted to anything".
Release
Critical reception
The Reason received mixed reviews from critics. Johnny Loftus of AllMusic found the album's teenage poetry and soft-sounding instrumentation too similar to the band's self-titled debut, but found their musicianship more expertly done, concluding that "In the end, The Reason is really a better version of Hoobastank, written and played by more mature versions of Hoobastank." Christian Hoard of Rolling Stone saw promise in the album's opener "Same Direction" but felt it was dragged down by middling sentiment and angst, saying that "Fugazi-esque guitars and memorable melodies occasionally poke through on The Reasons overbearing attack, reminding you of Hoobastank's promise." Jim Farber of Entertainment Weekly credited Hoobastank for crafting a radio-ready Incubus album but concluded that "they’re still just a crummy Hydrox answer to Incubus’ creamy Oreo."
Commercial performance
The first single "Out of Control" was featured on MX Unleashed, and made available for download on the band's website. The song would reach number nine on the U.S. modern rock chart, and number sixteen on the mainstream rock chart. The Reason initially reached a peak of number forty-five on the Billboard 200. The title track was released as a single in the first half of 2004. It became a massive hit worldwide, reaching number two on the BillboardHot 100, number one on the U.S. and world modern rock charts and number ten in Australia. The song's success pushed the album back into the charts, reaching number three on the Billboard 200. The Reason was also the twenty-fourth best-selling album of 2004.
"Same Direction" is featured as the main soundtrack for Madden NFL 2005. "Just One" is the title track for Top Spin 2 in the US and the Asahi Super Dry beer commercials of Japan in 2007.
