Randor's Song of the Week: 04.18.10

"The Ugly Truth" by Hanson from the album National Lampoon's Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj Official Motion Picture Soundtrack. 2006.
    Don't be fooled by the movie it's from: this ain't no wild frat-boy drink-along party song. Nor be tricked by the band: there are no prepubescent youngins screeching "Mmmbop bop bop do bop!" until you're compelled to mmmbop someone over the head. This is how the teen pop sensation from the 90s evolved to an enriched and mature sound.
    Hanson entered the music arena with the mob of bubblegum pop artists in the mid to late 90s. Though Blink-182 was without a doubt my "growing-up band," by living through childhood in this era, I succumbed with the general public to dastardly upbeat hits like "Barbie Girl" and "Wannabe". And "MMMbop". People past a certain age will reminisce (though not necessarily praise) about these kinds of tunes, then turn around and wonder how Hannah Montana or Justin Bieber get so popular. Not personally a fan of their stuff, but I'm also not their targeted age group. It's not music made specifically for kids, but almost. The pre-teens, perhaps. Or maybe moreso for that level of innocence? Whatever the mesh, us twenty-something have the equivalent in 90s' versions of Britney and the Backstreet Boys. Though I do find it a tad ridiculous that Ludacris rapped about being 13 and in love on that Bieber track.
    Back to focus here: after the success of their album Middle of Nowhere, they had some trouble with their label. Mercury Records merged with Island Def Jam right as their new album was coming out, and a lack of promotion shielded Hanson from maintaining the spotlight. The album, This Time Around, apparently was well-received by critics, and branched away from the bubblegum pop that built Hanson's career. I'll admit, though.. the only song from the group I heard before discovering "The Ugly Truth" is the acoustic version of "Penny and Me" which alone should show their mature sound. In fact, seeing as how only the first album or two consisted of the bubblegum pop, it seems more appropriate to associate them with a different genre. Pop Rock, at the least. Unfortunately, it seems the majority of the world will always think of Hanson as the three young boys who fell of the map come the new millennium. Even their 20th Century Masters Best Of collection features what seems to be the youngest publicity shot they could find.
    Well even Hanson's new sound doesn't seem like it would fit in a National Lampoon flick. One of those classic college movies trying to recapture Animal House and only capturing excessive sex, booze, and cliches. But the featured song is about telling someone the ugly truth of their boyfriend cheating around, and that's on theme enough. Mainly, the overall sound impresses me. That staple riff pounds out a tall ceiling for everything else to fill. While the harmonies aren't as proficient as other Hanson numbers, there's a sing-along quality melting from the vocals and shouts. If the only Hanson you know is 1997 Hanson, then I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with this. Perhaps enough to check out what they've been up to the last ten years? Or to watch out for their new album coming out in June?