thinking of you

have you ever stood outside a picket fence?

Opinions from January - April 1998:

A THANK YOU: I must send out a special thank you to Jenn! You're awesome! Thanks to Jenn, I have been able to experience many of Hanson's international appearances along with "Boomerang" and "MMMBop." I definitely have opinions on these albums, so watch for them soon. I recently began thinking that I haven't put up any album, appearance or video reviews yet. I love reading them on other pages, so I'm not sure what I could add. This will be a summer project for me.

Below are some random thoughts about the band's recent appearances and not so recent since I just got the tape from my pre-VCR days (I was actually almost Amish until the band booted me into the next millenium by forcing me to see the absolute necessity of owning a taping device for all those amazing opportunities to see screaming Hanson fans. (hehe (c:).

The big story is indeed their fans. The guys are genuinely gracious about the whole thing in public. All I'm going to say is that on MTV Live (when the band were guests) Taylor had some kind words to say about a shimmery shirt which, on second thought, may actually slip into his closet without causing open rebellionn at all. What exactly do those tight leather pants have to say for themselves anyway? hehe The guys are always thinking of their fans first. Zac was thoughtful enough to censor an encounter with a fan they met in Times Square who needed to use an expletive when describing their home state. (c: Isaac offered some breathing tips to hyperventilating fans on Oprah. 'nough said. Ladies, you can safely believe every word of "IWC2U."

The band's true test of character may actually be in their decision to continue to accept interview offers from people (Their appearance on Oddsville alone should solidify evidence of just how warm their hearts can be for those people others may tend to mock or overlook.). I think we can all recite the first three questions (and, no doubt, the band's answers) every interviewer will ask. Recently, Oprah had a refreshingly different sort of question to ask them (fake cough here) - of course, she might have missed the band's plea to judge the members by their music not by their age, their hair, their favorite movie, the kinds of punishments they receive at home, etc.

I can't resist a final note about "MTV Live." First of all, an amazing preview of "Weird." My point though is that although I have no way to prove this, (really there's no need for applause - I'm totally joking here, hehe) I will confess that I CORRECTLY predicted the words behind the acronym MOE. One final thought, the hoedown music was a ton of fun - I almost put on my dancing shoes too.

I have absolutely no comment on the Grammies. That's really not as bitter as it sounds, I can truly think of nothing to publish. Except that it's time for a few small repairs, she said. (c:

NOTE: Veronica wrote to ask if I had absolutely NO comments on the Grammies. She mentioned that the band's new back-up guitarist proved to be (in her words) "really wacked." Well, let me clarify, I guess I do have some thoughts on this performance and the awards show (hmmm . . . this shouldn't come as a suprise to anyone. Could I have kept completely quiet? ;-D) When I mentioned that I had no comment on the outcome of the Grammies, I meant, "How could I ever begin to predict how these Awards shows will turn out?" I mean, I was just completely shocked that Shawn Colvin won "New Artist of the Year." I have nothing against her or her music, but I don't need to tell you that Hanson has the talent with more staying power than their fans' hysterical screams. There's nothing a fan can say that will convince people of the band's amazing Mozart-like genius that the guys' music doesn't already testify for itself. Their incredible voices that blend and harmonize, their ability to play multiple instruments, their heart-felt lyrics and knowledge of the songwriting process, the depth of their knowledge of musical history, perfect pitch . . . It's beginning to look like I need to alphabetize this list. On a different note, their new back-up guitarist does looks like he's hula hooping back there as he strums his chords. We all miss Ravi, what can I say?

Also, since the Grammies was an "event" for me, I sat through a couple of pre-show interviews. I caught that one with the MTV veejay, Abby. The guys again gave lame, repetitive questions the same treatment that they always do: a wise response. Abby wondered if the guys ever got bored around adults since their "career" has taken off. All three made comments about being sooo bored around adults now. Zac grinned and added, "Especially you." Taylor, standing farthest from Abby, seemed to be subtly trying to get Zac to move back a little, which I found amusing to watch. Anyone with brothers or sisters knows what that's like.

Okay, originally I missed the "Conan" appearance, but have recently obtained a copy from, none other than, Jenn! Of all their interviewers that I've seen so far, Conan was the only one who could hold his own with the band. What I mean is that he didn't seem star-struck, bored, eager to show that he was still "down" with the music that interests young people, patronizing, insulting, overly curious about their personal lives (All Hanson fans know the band's skillful dodges to just about all the questions pertaining to this segment of their life ~ girlfriends, etc.) - I mean I could go on forever here. hehe Conan, on the other hand, cleverly mocked the screaming fans with his Bubble Head invention idea (which he truly should patent!!!). He asked them about their new video. What can I say, Taylor's imitation of the Puffy move was just too much! I would love to see Puffy doing that "Stayin' Alive" thing from their video. (c: More than one person has commented on that, so that's all I will say. Each time the band appears on these late night shows, I wonder how much of the monologues are "family material" if J, A, M and Z are all in the back with Mr. and Mrs. Hanson. Call me old-fashioned, but I wonder about these things as I sit through the first part of these shows and wait for Hanson's appearance.

Some thoughts about the "Weird" video. I kept thinking about the ad that Aerosmith put out for freaks to be in their "Pink" video. Those freaks were indeed freakier, but the twins part of "Weird" was pretty creepy. I used to work in NYC and this video brought me back to my subway days - the Hansons truly looked like they were encountering these tunnels for the first time. Zac especially looked dazed during some of the scenes. The dank smells, the concrete drop away from a grisly accident, the rushing to beat slamming doors, the press of people whose names you will never know, the desire to steady yourself while wondering how many palms have been on the sticky metal pole, the random buzz and blinking of the lights as the train loses and regains electrical connections - you get the picture. You would never want to actually be in any of the water that surrounds Manhattan - so I was relieved to hear that those scenes were actually filmed in a tank elsewhere (Just kidding here. (c:)

My sister gave me a really cool CD case that looks like a 3-story wooden house - She told me that she was almost going to name it, The Hanson House or something like that. Pathetically, this little joke of hers is largely true. I found the "Weird" single which is waaay overpriced since it's still an import from Britain. The 4 postcards that come with it must contribute to its value (Take whatever means necessary to find this CD since two of the pictures are of the band completely wet with all their clothes on. - Yikes, the "That's supa'" photographer must have come up with this brilliant photo concept.). Anyway, the new dance version, is definitely goosebump material - Taylor's introductory "oooo ooo"s- as heard on the video - are amazing. You also hear more "har-mon-i-zin'" from the rest of the band. Very cool. Taylor also does a slight edit to the words at the end which sounds even more pensive than the original (if that's possible.). I will send anyone a clip of this version if you're interested.

NOTE: Here's a transcript of a correction I received. Thanks Jessica! Well on your "Recent Apperance" page...you said that on your single "wEiRd" started out with Tay doing the spooky "ooo-ooo's" well that wasn't Tay it was Zac!!:o) Cuz on Oprah when they preformed Weird Zac was doing the ooo-ooo's!!!! I swear!!!! Cuz that's my favorite part on the Oprah apperance!!:o) Cuz Zac sounds soooooo cute!!!!!!! Well I thought I would just let'cha know!! Thanks!!

This page is getting really long, maybe I'll split it into appearance pages when I have the time. Anyway, what struck me about the "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards"? I guess kids really do have more discriminatory tastes than the adults (I'm talking about the tragic outcome of the Grammies here. Uh, am I an adult? hmmm). Congratulations on winning 2 orange "submarines" guys! Just wanted to get something off my chest, it really bugs me when I see posters that single out one member of the band, but I guess that's all part of being famous. I've noticed that they've cut out "being different is a sin" from many of their performances of "Weird." It got me to wondering why. I wonder if they think mentioning "sin" can sound kind of harsh. I don't know. It's a question I plan to ask them sometime. (c:

Can I just say, could their interview on "Jay Leno" be any more hilarious? (I will not mention their performance of "Weird" which seemed to lack something - maybe it loses some of its passion and meaning when you sing it over and over and over and over again. I don't know.) How do they continue to stay so incredibly real in all their appearances? Walker and Diana sound like they're having a ton of fun with it too. Walker?! What were you thinking? A 400 torque engine- Is that right? I don't even want to think about what could have happened. Who would carry the band's instruments in the future? ;-D I must say I was dismayed when Jay made a comment that one or two less Hansons wouldn't matter considering their number - "Jay, don't even joke about that!" Anyway, Taylor proved to be charming with ladies of all ages. It was genius to have 5 year old actor, Halle, on with the band (Who, BTW, is one of the most adorable and talented actors I've seen this year. I used to live in NJ and had to appreciate this fact too. (c:) - they looked like the big brothers that they are in contrast. Taylor's rendition of the sounds his sister makes, allowed me to see that my almost daily encounters with, eh, bodily functions in my middle school classroom is normal even for a celebrity. hehe I almost had to pinch myself when I heard Zac say that he doesn't really mind taking out the trash and doing stuff around the house. Home must feel so good after months of foreign menus, thin hotel blankets and those weird pillows, and, two words, airplane bathrooms. Yuck. Isaac's comments about the Lysol were certainly true for anyone who has had a younger brother or sister in the house. (I especially enjoyed this show since I could sleep in the next day, since I'm still on Spring Break. Yay!)

The Oprah "Pop-Up" Show: Not much new information - their request for hamburgers, maybe? That's stretching it though. (Although, wasn't Oprah in TX because of a dispute with the beef industry? The band might have been doing their small part to help her win that little law suit. ;-D) Anyway, those tidbits about Oprah only just hearing their music the morning of the show and the stuff about the crew scrounging for ear plugs (even using cigarette pieces?!) was kind of insulting. But hey, isn't that the inside stuff that "Pop-Up" is built on? I can't bash this refreshing little show, so I will not get too defensive here. (c: I have only one question, did they actually turn young men away when they were selecting audience members or what? Just wondering since they mentioned that the audience was all female . . .

Here's something quirky I noticed right before their most recent Letterman appearance: Just before Hanson came on to play "Thinking of You," a commercial aired (at least, on my local Michigan station) for a product that I have never seen before or since. It was for a pill that promises to reduce hair loss and actually replenish hair that a person has already lost. hmmm . . . Do any MON lyrics come to mind? hehe A quick note about Letterman ~ it was refreshing to see him pause in his silliness to acknowledge that he too, recognizes the strength that comes from human suffering. Of course, I'm referring to his interview with Christopher Reeves. I had wept when I saw "Superman" on Oprah earlier that week, so it made the time pass by more enjoyably than usual as I waited for Hanson's appearance. I felt, the band's seemingly subdued performance was a result of their own reaction to Mr. Reeves. Just a humble opinion, though. (Dave did seem to find amusement in the fact that "3CG" was Hanson's music from "their early years," but why did he not interview them? hmmm . . .)