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 eventually reached a peak of number three on the
Billboard 200, making it the band's highest-charting album in the United States. 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
Billboard Hot 100, number one on the U.S. and world modern rock charts and number seven 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. ==In popular culture==