moe: volume 1, issue 3

What is the secret of Hanson’s genius? This issue made me think of the cross country vacations our family took since we visited many of the same places that Hanson mentions in this recap of their tour: Mt. Rushmore, the Tetons, Yellowstone, Washington DC and all those lonely stretches of highway where you try to leave a family member when you stop to snap some pictures or just admire the view (Just kidding). Remembering those good times also caused me to think, “Can a tour be reasonably compared to a family vacation?” If this issue caused you to think that the Albertane Tour is just like a really super cool family vacation with a whole lot of extra people to see, then you’ve experienced the genius that is Hanson!! (grin)

Warning: A wacky geometry metaphor follows!

My life will probably never intersect with Hanson’s, but it doesn’t matter. Hanson’s backstage glimpses are a way for the band to assure us that, “You guys don’t need a point of intersection – a live handshake or an autograph – to know us. Instead, of lines that are headed in different directions that meet briefly then go our separate ways, you might think of us as living a parallel life to yours. We may not meet you personally, but at the same time, we’re never far away. In fact, we’re as close as your nearest CD player or VCR, the most recent issue of MOE, hansonline – we’re only a Yahoo Chat away.” Oh my gosh, I think I hear the first few bars of “IWC2U” swelling in the background. (Jackie, reaches for a Kleenex.)

Okay, that was longer than it needed to be, but now that it’s out of my system, let’s move on. I wondered, “How in the world (How in Albertane?) are the guys going to get two more issues of MOE out before the Holidays?" The tour consumed all their time this summer and then the next thing I know they’re on the set of Melrose Place? With that in mind, I was grateful to see that this issue was more than just pictures of backstage winners, merchandise promos and a form to renew membership. As always, my favorite aspect of a magazine from the band, is the chance to read articles written by them. They’re not answering a collection of lame and sometimes curious interview questions. They’re not promoting a local television or radio station or an upcoming appearance. Not only that, it’s information that’s been edited – as in tightened – without interruptions, needless rambling, sudden subject changes to avoid sensitive topics, etc. They get to choose what they want us to know.

showday
The articles don’t give credit to a specific author. Are we to believe the band writes these pieces in first person in much the same way they write their songs? . . . “One person comes up with an idea, and then the rest of us will say what we think is cool or if we think it needs some changes.” I bring this up because this article mentions something that a bus driver says that just begs to be taken down with a smart Zac response. Instead, the author states the obvious and explains the bus driver’s intended meaning. I’m referring to the driver asking, “Are we a bus?” before they head to a venue.

mt. rushmoe
I’ve been a little more forgiving about the use of “MOE” as a play on words since I recently reread “The Merchant of Venice” and noticed that this word is part of the vocabulary of the play (meaning "more"). However, Hanson renaming a national institution? hmmm . . . I may need some even MOrE time for that. (c: Mt. Rushmore was one of our family’s surprise hits (Oops, I almost said “hitz” – yikes) on one of our cross-country camping trips. The band’s history of it was pretty cool. It is truly a spectacular site! Unfortunately, I’m not a huge (haha) fan of the “fat mamma” joke, but the size of these heads is simply stunning!

I have a question about the group picture – is Taylor Hanson (Not to be confused with Taylor Crothers) behind the camera on this one? I don’t see him in the picture. (NOTE: Lauryn just wrote to inform me that Taylor is standing directly behind Avery. I missed it the first time, since I thought the darker part of his shirt was actually a weird tank top. Anyway, thanks Lauryn!) Oh, I can’t forget, Zac holding Zoe? That’s priceless!

A final comment on this article: I’ve seen many pages – I’ll be honest, including a couple on this site – that incorporate Hanson lyrics in titles, reviews, catch phrases in the writing, etc. So, it was amusing and kind of reassuring to see that the band takes advantage of this technique as well. This time I’m thinking of when the author talks about going to Milwaukee, “Now where is that bus stop where this whole thing got started?”

backstage
Did you know that yelling “Fire!” in a public place without cause is actually a crime? Having experienced the crush of Hanson fans on several occasions this summer – I see the logic behind comparing the panic of a fire to the activity surrounding backstage passes.

This piece corresponds with the tour video. You might even read it and then say, “Why don’t we see that on tape?” You can then hit play on the “RTA” cassette to catch all the backstage stuff discussed in the article.

river video
Really, can this video even hope to compete with “Weird?” Anything is going to seem deflated next to that dazzling piece of cinematography. Could Gloria Stuart be any sweeter, however? I don’t think so. And I wasn’t even a gigantic(haha) Titanic fan . . . but that’s another story.

NOTE: Time magazine recently mentioned “Weird” in passing: “Gus Van San’ts goofily dark vision of Hanson’s “Weird” was interesting.” (Joel Stein, November 2, 1998)

itz newz
Self-promote much? Apparently it works since I actually purchased both the album and video – twice! Don’t ask.

netpick
"The Hanson Hotel" has been my NetPick prediction for awhile now . . . You can ask Amanda. (grin) Anyway, way to go Lisa and co.!! Thanks again for the recognition in your “Latest News” section awhile back.

chat
Ironically, the only way I hear about most of these rumors is from Hanson themselves. Who needs the Enquirer when you subscribe to MOE? I have a vision of the guys smirking while they type this one up, “Hey gang, don’t bother checking your facts with the Weekly World News, just check out MOE for the all the latest NEWZ you’d ever need.” hehe

MOEments in music
As anticipated, I enjoyed this column (The last issues informed us that this feature would appear.). Did David Silver attend SIX concerts this summer? I might have read that wrong. But, whoa!

This isn’t about “Gimme Some Lovin’,” but whenever I hear “Shake a Tailfeather” it brings me back to that Entertainment Weekly article from Summer of 1997 (with Hanson on the cover). Isaac just sounded so jazzed about singing that song some time in concert. I can’t get enough of the amazing combo that the band put together for the opening of the show! It’s at the top of my all-time favorite MOEments . . .

dr. food
The guys don’t seem to be enjoying the food in the picture on this page. Shrug. However, do NOT read the description of tour food on an empty stomach. (c:

from our fans
I love the “Wickett” poster! Very clever. It’s even better than the “Girl from Milwaukee” one I saw in Toronto. And a quilt?! Amazing! A friend made me a gorgeous tulip quilt for my birthday last year. It meant so much to me – it would be the first thing I save in the event of a fire. I was just in awe at all the time that went into making it! Love you Bets!!

last words
Jessica is such a honey! I can just imagine the IMs her friends received all summer about the tour. That’s when the computer wasn’t in danger of becoming water-logged. (Maniacal laughter . . . )

That’s my impression of this issue of MOE. I’m looking forward to hearing about yours.

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