“Every Man For Himself” is the third Hoobastank studio release. This CD has them back as a trio but minus one doesn’t mean the sound isn’t as full as before. Hoobastank’s lead singer, Douglas Robb, almost sounds like Incubus’s lead vocalist on a few cuts; he comes close a couple of times, but he usually just holds the notes and the feeling disappears. I have heard all of Hoobastank’s releases and I can tell they have matured musically.

The punchy guitar is still the focus of each track. You can easily pick the songs that will be on the concert set list. The drums crunch with the guitar and that hammers the music along; a few horns are added for variety. Hoobastank are virtually safe for all 18 and under parties; the pop sound emerges on “The First Of Me” and it's got Top 40 written all over it and into it.

Since I’ve been on the Hoobastank train I can see the potential they have to really lead among their peers. Maybe discarding a member will cause a stir that causes them to step it up a notch. The music is maturing, the vocals are getting better and the songwriting seems to be searching more and more. I’d like to see these guys rise above the labels they’ve so comfortably let people stick on them.

This disc was released with two different color covers: a red and a green latent print. I have the red thumbprint but I don’t think it really means anything.

The best songs are “Born To Lead,” “Inside Of You,” “Good Enough,” and “If I Were You.” 

Hoobastank: Douglas Robb – vocals; Dan Estrin – guitar; Chris Hesse – drums. 

For more information, check out http://www.hoobastank.com.