To answer hansonline's rhetorical question
to fans, I have compiled my reactions to the online previews of the band's upcoming
album.
What is most endearing about Hanson to me is their
quirkiness! I love that they have dared to write more than one song that wasn't
informed by romantic love alone: Weird, With You in Your Dreams, Man from Milwaukee
. . . Yearbook and others. This is the kind of inspiration, I always
treasure about the music. I'm looking forward to how things continue to develop,
dare I say it, this time around. ::grin::
Note: The song titles contain a short sound clip. You
will need the Quick Time Player to
access them.
this time around
Oh My Gosh! This Time Around is just . . . . well,
wonderful! It seems to have a sort of "Jonny"-esque (Lang, that is—for
anyone just joining us. (c;) feel to it--I guess THAT's no coincidence. =o) Anyway,
Mr. Sabec, No Worries—my local radio station will be hearing from me regularly now.
::grin::
The story behind the lyrics haunts me much, much more than Yearbook
ever did. However, after a conversation with Laura of bright and beautiful, I've begun to
feel like the meaning behind This Time Around was beginning to gel: Are you
settling for something just because it's easy . .. or are you making the hard
choices--making a difference? ::pause for reflection and awe::
dying to be alive
It's been kind of a tough weekend. (Note: Posted about 25 days after
my grandfather's passing.) There's been losses in my family and a friend's family
recently. I heard you crying, somebody stole my soul. How could I be dying, some
25 days ago . . . Once again, there's Hanson—reaching out a hand to understand.
How much do I love the new song clips? Long-time visitors to this page know how close
gospel is to my heart. Even though you're rock-n-roll, guys, you've proven that you
never forget your soul! Could Dying to be Alive be any more
intriguing and, well, addictive? It's classic Hanson with its clever title.
save me
"Whoa" . . . and "just wow" are really all that come to
mind right now. It always takes awhile for my media plug-in to open and then for
audio clips to find their way over . . . This means, as I'm innocently responding to mail
or typing away on some project, suddenly . . . there's Taylor's amazing voice
with, "Loving you . . . " and everything freezes for a second. (A real
"Matrix" mid-air moment for me!) I'm about speechless when it comes to Save
Me.
if only
To quote Zac Hanson himself, "Shower worthy." And more than that,
a definite "car stereo--windows down--volume exceeding the legal speed limit"
experience!
I was considering the lyrics to "If Only" after
the @MTV appearance and I realized something that I haven't been able to articulate until
just now. Hanson's word choice in their songs prove over and over that they do not
shop at "Lyrics R Us." Many, many times I've asked myself, "Did they
just say what I think I heard?" How candid and refreshing are people who have the
guts to say just what's on their mind? Consider the following:
- . . . until you lose your hair . . . --MMMBop
- And though my flesh is gone . . . --With You in Your
Dreams
- Letting this big-toed bald man sitting here tell me
about the sky. --Man from Milwaukee
- I'd rather bleed just to know why I died. --This Time
Around
- If only I had the guts to feel this way. --If Only
There's another thread that ties these snippets together.
Can you identify it?
in the city
There's a raw energy about this song that is undeniable. It is literally charged
with dangerous voltage. ::grin:: I have a theory about this song that involves a certain
infamous metropolis in the United States, celebrated in its own way by the band:
Since I lived and worked in and around New York before
becoming a Midwesterner, I always refer to NYC as "The City." My opinion is that
this song is undoubtedly about, well, the Big Apple—which may be obvious to some and
not to others. Speaking from personal experience, there is something unmistakably
intriguing about this sensationally fast-paced city for people who are used to having
their groceries carried to their car.
scout@hanson.net |
