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Hanson
“Caught in a trap, and they can’t back out…”
Any way you cut it, these guys have got a tough row to hoe. They had the immensely bad luck of becoming huge before their voices broke, making them the darlings of pre-teen girls worldwide. Since then, they have grown into talented and respectable musicians, but the net result is that the corporate (read ignorant) world of pop music has no idea how to perceive them, and has abandoned them. Left to their own devices on an independent label, the three Hanson brothers must earn credibility all by themselves, and it is going to be one heck of an uphill battle. This live CD compiles some of their better tunes, and displays the legitimate musicianship and songwriting of the band, but I wonder if anyone over twenty is willing to listen.
For starters, you should understand that these guys are for real. They are credible musicians, who want respect as much as they want commercial success. They do not want to lose the fan base that made them famous in the first place, but they need to attract adult fans if they want a lasting, lucrative career. Leading off this live disk with a version of Radiohead’s “Optimistic” is a reasonably logical way to do this. Fact is, they do the song justice, too, although I doubt that anyone would choose this version over the original. Their own songs, like “Where’s the Love” and “Strong Enough to Break” have great hooks and are sung incredibly well, but I’m not convinced that they are gritty enough to attract 20-35 year-old males, either. Quasi-inspirational lighter ballads like “I Will Come to You” and “Underneath” only make matters worse, especially when programmed back to back. A cover of U2’s “In a Little While” will, like the Radiohead song, spark recognition, and perhaps a nod of respect, but they need more if they want to cross over.
There are moments that work beautifully, though. “Penny and Me” is nearly impossible to deny, and “Hand in Hand” supplies the necessary muscle, while giving oldest brother Isaac a chance to stretch out on guitar and vocals. Funnily enough, “MMM-Bop” still sounds great, too, and “This Time Around” also gets close to the groove that they need. “Rock and Roll Razorblade” is an obvious attempt in the right direction, too, but ultimately sounds more like a Bryan Adams outtake. Surprisingly, the most credible moments occur on the bonus DVD disk that accompanies the live CD. The video clips are all excellent, and the live bits should surprise naysayers who insist that Hanson is akin to Milli Vanilli, or some such ignorance. I for one liked Hanson in the “MMM-Bop” days, and I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt now. Besides, I love rooting for the underdog, especially when they’re a bunch a nice guys.
Grade: 
 
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