Hanson starting to hit stride on third studio disc
By Staff and Wire Reports
4/24/2004 Hanson
Underneath
3CG Records

In the liner notes to Hanson's much-anticipated third proper release, "Underneath," the Tulsa-based trio thanks those who helped them "brave the $#!+ storm and cut through the crap" so they could make the album they wanted.

It was risky taking four years between major releases, but their gamble paid off.

"Underneath" is Hanson's finest, most eclectic record to date.

During the making of the album, the trio colloborated with a slew of producers that had impressive resumes full of names like Rufus Wainwright, Sheryl Crow and even Marilyn Manson. But Hanson ultimately opted to produce it themselves.

They even parted ways with their label in favor of releasing the disc on their own independent label.

Musically, the sound of "Underneath" is tight, sometimes somber, other times tapped into the power infused into pop by bands such as Big Star.

The tunes are colored with an array of instruments ranging from acoustic and electric guitar to Taylor's keyboards, and even a horn section, congas and cello. But the most important element, as always, are the Hanson brothers' sweet harmonies.

To be sure, it's no cutesy record. It finds the trio, two of which -- Taylor and Zac -- are still younger than 21, facing the world and relationships as adults.

The lead track, "Strong Enough to Break," finds the tortured protagonist trying to hold on as he struggles with just being "a figure in a big Monopoly game" and wallowing in thoughts that the walls are closing in and that things never will change. But don't fret, the trio's still got plenty to say about love.

The first single, "Penny & Me," is a love song about a lass who drowns her pain in lemonade and dreams of rainy days. She's always up for blaring the radio as they blaze down the road pretending they have wings.

But many of the songs aren't sunny "MMMBop"-a-licious love tunes.

"When You're Gone" is about living with a heart that's been "crushed to cinders" underneath pain inflicted by a wandering lover.

The title track is a plaintive tune about yearning for a balm to soothe pain and loneliness. Matthew Sweet shares a writing credit on the tune. He's said the track came together quickly thanks to the brothers' "sixth sense" with each other.

On Zac's song, "Misery," he doesn't mess around with how he feels about a relationship gone bad. He gets right to it and tells the gal that as long as they're together they can only feel miserable.

Isaac's single-worthy track, "Deeper," features vocals by his pal Michelle Branch.

Regardless of how talented the other brothers are, they probably will always be George and Ringo to the Lennon-McCartney that is Taylor.

The highlight of the disc is Taylor's "Crazy Beautiful," a crazy powerhouse of a love song with crazy good harmonies and horn arrangements. It's followed by the equally rollicking power pop ditty "Hey."

Taylor closes out the disc with the melancholy "Believe," which continues the hero's yearning for something to believe in when the birds in the trees depress him and sunny skies make him feel empty.

They wouldn't want to leave it on such a sad note, though, so there are two ghost tracks. One is a brief, schizophrenic take on "Crazy Beautiful," and the other is a precious orchestrated ditty about a gal named LuLa Bell.

After all, despite all their success, Isaac, Taylor and Zac are the same sweet gents from Oklahoma who make music that, hopefully, this time around will make people forget Hanson ever "MMMBop"-ed.