Hanson Is Cool. . . Seriously
Published on June 8th, 2010 in: Current Faves, Music, Over the Gadfly's Nest |
Although Hanson might be a more liberal, noncreepy, modern day version of the Osmonds, these guys are hipper than you might think. In a time when “indie” rockers are touted by major labels, Hanson is the true definition of a DIY band.
After the sophomore “slump” of their follow-up album This Time Around (a mere 262,000 records sold in 2000) and years of struggles with their label Mercury Records during the messy Island Def Jam merger, they parted ways with Mercury due to irreconcilable differences. Whereas countless bands in the same position were neglected and eventually dropped from their major labels when the overly confident industry of the ’90s was just beginning to collapse, Hanson got out of their contract on their terms and forged ahead on their own, by choice.
In 2003, they founded Three Car Garage Records, named after the place they first began making music together when they were kids. Taylor Hanson says the name of their label “represents unused space,” a fitting description, as they have set out to create and build their own niche in the music industry that no longer had room for them. The band took the songs that no one at their previous label supported and pushed onward, recording their next album on their own and taking its promotion into their own hands.
Without label support, they went back on the road in 2003, playing to the smallest venues in their career since before their glory days at MTV. They started with an acoustic tour, featuring the band in its stripped down form—just the three guys, on piano, drums, and guitar. They debuted new songs to the public for the first time in over three years alongside these bare bones versions of the hits they were famous for. And the new songs they played were GOOD—with the same catchy, floating melodies rooted in solid harmonies that made their older material hits, but without any of the extraneous production (or critics’ speculation).
Loyal fans followed the tour to each show. Those who were skeptical and attended shows out of curiosity or amusement (including yours truly) were quickly converted by Hanson’s charming, more mature pop style and command over their audience. The band sold an EP of live, acoustic versions of new tunes at the shows, whetting loyal fans’ appetites for their forthcoming full length album. Word spread and the crowds (and the venues) grew bigger. The band (with wives and children in tow) toured consistently throughout the summer and fall of 2003 before concluding with a sold out show at Carnegie Hall. Not too shabby for a comeback.
Once they brought their music back to the masses, it was clear that demand for Hanson still existed, so they took a risk and used their “MMMBop” royalties to release their next full-length album, Underneath, independently on 3CG. Most of the songs on Underneath were written and at least preproduced (and rejected) during their struggles with Island Def Jam years before, yet remarkable musical growth was already manifest on the album by the time it was finally released.
Underneath is a fun, focused record interlaced with some more mature themes that retain the same distinguishable Hanson sound minus the bullshit (i.e., the overproduction and DJ scratches of their previous hits). What remains are simple pop structures with feeling, catchy choruses, and perfect melodies anyone can sing along to after one listen—basically, what’s left is what the band does best.
The only question was, were there enough people paying attention to the band and their music after three years of silence, when they no longer had a major label to help stimulate the public mindset?
14 Responses to “Hanson Is Cool. . . Seriously”
June 8th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Very extensive and an interesting read.
June 8th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Awh I really liked reading this. I feel just like you, being a Hanson fan is something special, Hanson are special, but they are hardly the best musicians out there (as a lot of fans believe!) – they are however the most giving musicians I know and certainly among the most passionate about their music.
I have to admit parts of this almost gave me goosebumps. Having followed Hanson from the start reading their career all chronicled like this is kinda like reading about part of my life for want of a better way to put it!
Anyway great article!
June 8th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Very impressive and extensive article. As a fan of 15 years, I full appreciate your commentary and honesty about the band and their music.
Fantastic! 😀
June 8th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
I don’t usually leave comments, but this was a great read, especially after some other article that mentions nothing about the new album.
Found this article quite humorous & informative for non Hanson fans to get up to speed with what the band’s been up to since 1997. Well done!
June 9th, 2010 at 2:07 am
this article was amazing. thank you for writing this, it made my whole day =]
June 9th, 2010 at 3:27 am
I’m a fan and a psychologist. You could be a Hanson fan whatever profession you have.
I read the 5 pages and I enjoyed your article so much I will recommend it to my close friends -who are not fansons. I’m not from the United States, so the band hasn’t been mentioned here many times.
June 9th, 2010 at 8:43 am
Thanks for writing a very fair and honest perspective from a fan. I agree with Nikki up there that having followed this band since 87 has been like reading about a part of my life. My son was born in 87, his name is Taylor and I have taken him and my older son to Hanson concerts to introduce them to music since they were little and now they are older, playing guitar, listening to Hanson and The Beatles and other bands like Weezer and Red Hot Chili Peppers etc. and I feel like Hanson was a great start for them.
The Hanson guys ARE special. And it’s true that if you don’t “get it” you won’t get the music. I think it takes a special sort of mind/heart connection to get it entirely. It’s like these boys are my long lost sons or something…. the family I had in another life. They write of things that matter to me, sing like soulful angels and have a great fun/funny but yet endearingly sweet nature. And that is COOL. Very happy for them that things are going so well for them and I hope it continues, as I will be watching and listening and cheering them on!
June 9th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
What an incredible, in-depth analysis! I never knew Hanson was so interesting and respectable! Top notch work.
June 9th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Ashley, thank you for reposting links to this article all over Facebook!
It is much appreciated.
Thanks everyone for your positive comments on this article.
LLM
June 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Incredible writing and fascinating story.
October 19th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Would it have killed you to post a more recent pic? It’s not like they’ve been in hiding for 13 years. THere are thousands of post-bop pics to choose from, and plenty from each album. Dig a little deeper, won’t you?
October 19th, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Hi Jessie, thanks for commenting.
If you click through the rest of the article, you’ll see that there are several more recent photos of Hanson, not just the one of them on the first page.
Happy reading!
LLM
October 20th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Hey Jessie, dig a little deeper, won’t you?
January 8th, 2013 at 7:08 am
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