"The Reason" is the second studio album by American rock band Hoobastank, 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 title track, "Same Direction", and "Disappear". 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". The first single "Out of Control" was featured on MX Unleashed, and made available for download on the ba