Hanson-Middle
Of Nowhere (Mercury)
There is a long history of bubblegum pop groups
made up of young siblings — everyone from the Jacksons to the Osmonds to the DeFrancos.
With this album the tradition works its way up into the jaded post-punk nineties. And,
damn it, it's good to have it back.
The three Hanson Brothers are aged eleven to sixteen.
They sing silly, hooky pop tunes about lots of teenaged concerns — girls, school, the
arcade, girls, feeling weird, guys from Milwaukee, and most importantly, girls.
No anger,
no pretense, no whining, no apologies. Just good, easily hummable songs.
The album is not
exactly deep, but what do you expect from a bunch of kids? It's nice to find a band that
has nothing more in mind than to write catchy tunes.
With the shocking success of the
first single, the infectious "MMMBop," apparently there is still a place left
for songcraft.
Hanson isn't just a band for your kid sister. Give them a chance, you'll
like them. (6/97)
Sabrina Stevens
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Revised:
April 28, 2022.
