They're good I swear!

So I'm just going to come out and say it. I like Hanson. I do. Make fun of me if you like; I'm not ashamed of it at all because seriously they are a great band. And they are seriously underappreciated.

I admit, in the beginning, they were a little cheesy boyband who had this upbeat, surprisingly catchy song with a nonsensical title. I do like "Mmmbop" but I understand why other people don't. And their appearance really didn't add to their credibility with their messy blond hair. They just came off looking like three orphaned and neglected children. But they can sing, and they can play. Even when their lead singer was prepubscent and had a eunuch-like voice, he really sung his heart out, with well-placed "Yeahs" and "Oohs". Now, to me, that spells talent. And since they write and play their own music, unlike some other boybands, I got to respect them.

So first album decent, promising. But their second album is seriously good. You know that part in "About a boy" where Hugh Grant talks about how the mom is really singing, like the words actually mean something to her? Well Hanson does that in the album 'This Time Around'. Don't believe me? Listen to 'A Song to Sing'. Rolling Stone agrees with me in their reviews of This Time Around and Middle of Nowhere.

So I bring them up because they have a new album coming out next week and I'm looking forward to hearing it. Their first single 'Penny and Me' is pretty good. Keep in mind, they might not be as insightful as some other bands like Radiohead but their lyrics aren't unoriginal or one-dimensional either. But the real joy of Hanson lies in pure sound. Listening to Hanson simple makes me happy, and I suspect they could do the same for you.