Getting The Love That Moves Me

Hanson’s fifth album, Shout It Out, began with a song. A song that could have remained as insignificant as anything on the radio. But Hanson wasn’t looking for popularity, just as they haven’t been trying to impress the masses for the past decade. And by not trying for sweeping success, they received it.

Thinking ‘Bout Somethin’ was an infectious little engine that could that blew up online, beginning with its release exclusively on AOL.com. This was followed by over a million views on Myspace, a nod from Regal Cinemas, a dozen rave reviews from sources like Entertainment Weekly and The New York Times, a sudden spark of interest, and fans everywhere attempting the dance.

This might not sound impressive for a flimsy pop star that burps on camera, which is instantly viewed 28 million times because it is such gold. But this is very impressive for relevant, talented, independent artists.

Many songs stand out on this album, like Voice In The Chorus; where the title and mood differ drastically from the lyrics. It is a cutely disguised get lost/screw you/”kiss off” song. Tell me where you have been all this time-? That’s what I’d like to ask the new/old fans!

Kiss Me When You Come Home has some of the best-assembled lyrics, but not a total surprise from the source. Hanson has always been incredibly pleasant on the ears, that’s for sure. It gets tough / But we’ve picked up / A lot of things along the way / You know that / When I get mad / I don’t mean a word that I say.

Give a Little is a funky take on attraction dusting off memories of countless past Hanson songs; anything from Look At You to LWEO…It could even be the Under the Sea performance from Rock Boat.

Musical Ride supplies the truest lines in relation to the album: Come / On this Musical Ride with me / Might just change the life you think you’re gonna lead.

Shout It Out has proven its entitlement in a hectic, mainstream music industry. A world that outcasted what so many of us knew was top notch work. Now execs just have even greater music staring them in the face and coaxing them with cowbell. This album should be considered an American classic as much as Born to Run, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, or one of my favorite cult-rock albums, The ’59 Sound can be considered classic.

Shout It Out brought us booming guitars, irresistable handclaps, catchy, boisterous, climactic choruses, and brass on the side. It was a collection of warm, cozy melodies sewn through lasting notes; simplistic yet masterful. This sounded like the best compliment our ears had ever been told.

Hanson beared their full music chops and proved how far they can push the envelope. Rhythm and blues has always been second nature to these three Oklahoma natives. A word like, “pop” never gave them full credit. It’s due time for music fans to stand up for what tunes we want to define us. And the results might be surprising. 

Lastly, the intent of this album was to build a collection of loud, concise, soulful songs and, by the last chords, have come to a point and made the listener want to listen all over again. They reached their goal. 

Every track is shouting.

Mimi

Celebrating March 14th

Today is this blog’s 2nd birthday and so it is the day I take a moment to acknowledge all who read these posts. I have been received better than I could have ever imagined so thanks to everyone tuned in to read what I was tuning into. Thanks for leaving comments and thanks for watching the ridiculous stuff I do.

Happy 27th birthday to Taylor Hanson. You’ve shown time and again what an amazing person you can be through everything you do. Though you may have, “way too much exposure to compromise” you pour yourself into the things and people who really matter; the bigger picture; the greater good. Thank you for forever exceeding your fans’ expectations.

Mimi

We are in the Middle of Nowhere

On The Amazing Race (16), we were rewarded with Caite and Jordan teaming up for the Intersection challenge. To the sound of Jordan’s partner, Jeff, somehow encouraging them by cheering, “Smash it!” they were off. You see, Jordan let Caite, “lead the way.” And with the first train that Caite saw, her eyes lighting up, she said, “Let’s get on.” Easy enough! This race was so simple! And they were looking so smart! Yes, it was the wrong train.

Later, when these two stunningly brilliant teammates had to go their seperate ways, Jordan and Jeff picked the plagued taxi driver of their current leg.

“We are in the middle of nowhere.” Jeff noticed, once they had past an Albertanian sitting at a bus stop. Sorry. I saw that oppurtunity and I seized it. (Hanson’s first album is titled Middle of Nowhere.)

Meanwhile, Dan and Jordan were having different issues of their own. “Let’s stop wasting balls and time!” Dan/Jordan told brother Jordan/Dan. I honestly have no idea how to tell them apart.

But are we really done with accidentally funny quotes from Big Brother team Jordan and Jeff, you ask? Of course not.

“When we saw that we had to drink the beer I knew that we would be so good because he likes to drink beer.” Jordan says earnestly. Yes. Many oafy guys like yours like to drink beer.

I have to admit that Jeff really is up there in intelligence with Jordan and Caite. Caite’s partner, Brent (Brett?) is just spacey and lame but Jeff’s redeeming quality is saying things that don’t fit into the context like, “Smash it.” He hit his head at some point. And then another point.

Any impressive race tactics at this point, Caite?

“Oh, I see it. It’s right in front of us.” Never mind.

To every viewer’s luck it was a non-elimination round and those beautifully impressive Jordan and Jeff will be with us another week. We will cherish it.

On the 2010 return of  Gossip Girl, right off the Upper East Side bat, we learned that Serena is apparently conveniently besties with Jenny’s drug dealer boy and Chuck is trying to solve a deep, meaningful yet soon-to-be-resolved family mystery.

We’re expected to suddenly forget that it is March, not the first week of January, with this way-previously-filmed episode they’ve proudly handed to us. Hearing about Christmas presents is a little off in the Spring.

Dan Humphrey’s lines seemed forced without Vanessa in the episode at all. He often mistakes Nate for Vanessa. When Nate walks into a room, Dan says, “Oh! I thought you were Vanessa.” How, exactly? It was just a weird segue for him to bond with Nate over the subject of Nate’s ex…which dribbles into the subject of Dan’s ex. Very normal.

Still, as always, the show provides us with the quick, snarky lines we remember it for, like Serena telling Blair, ”Anyone who meets you can see you’re an elitest snob perfect for running a secret society.” 

Or, “Why aren’t you dressed?” Blair asks a suit-clad Chuck. How much more “dressed” does she expect him to be? Wearing a silk robe and a crown?

My favorite line was the ironic, “The masquerade ball was two years ago.” Exactly. Thank you. And where have you gotten since then, Nate-and-Serena? Or the whole plotline of this show, for that matter?

Sure, next week the sordid tales of Chuck Bass’ life will continue to unravel but remember that all-important masquerade ball was two years ago, everybody. All good things have an expiration date.

ABC Family’s Greek actually aired the best music this week. Yes, Greek.

Song: Keep it Cool by US Royalty

How did they get their hands on it? I have no idea.

Mimi

Don’t Think Twice: Shout It Out

Hanson revealed their 5th album’s title and release date late last night, probably so the fans wouldn’t notice and instantly make the server explode again. The album will be called Shout It Out and the release date is June 1st, the first full-length album released in June. Any music resembling the EP is just what we need right now.

I’m not sure about the title yet; I think I’ll hop onboard in a few weeks. I’m gonna predict better sales than 2007′s The Walk, considering all the touring and added fanbase from TW, WATW and SUSU tours. Great memories; amazing music, guys. For the past 13 years.

I know many true fans are prematurely giddy today and June 1st never sounded so perfect.

Mimi

 

I Want You to Take the Walk

ONE TREE HILL

Three notes into OTH and we knew this would be a high-school-reminiscent episode. Bring on the cliche, powdered-sugar melodrama.

The girls proceed to inform us that they are staffing (?) an ’80s-inspired dance. What an original idea! That has never been done before; in the history of TV shows or high schools!

When Alex asked Julian who his favorite director was, he phoned in the line of, “John Hughes,” and ranted on about how his movies were more than stereotypes and atypical teen drama. It was almost as bad as that half-hearted tribute on the Critics’ Choice Awards.

Cheap Trick performed for a squad of clueless extras at aforementioned ’80s-dance; 3 songs; kicking it off with their one and only hit. Bun E., the namesake of my two-person Bun E. fan club, wore a Hanson Walk thermal! Up top, Bun E.!

Here’s one last question: Why are all these twenty-somethings so magnetically-drawn to the high school dance? Are they that drastically small-town that chaperoning teenagers and breaking into their old high school lockers sounds ideal? As viewers, are we supposed to not think this is pathetic?

Mimi

1st Year Anniversary!

This is my blog’s first birthday so it’s kind of a big deal. There are some awesome things that weren’t (officially) around this time a year ago like House Bunny, Tinted Windows, One Way Out with Jonathon Goodwin, and the Arby roast-burger…Wait, that last one was a horrible idea. But anyway I’m very excited by the popularity of southiejustinjustinsouth and thank you, the readers, for all your comments and diligently checking in every week, like my opinion means so much.

A blog is the perfect kind of baby because you can manage it and take care of it and check on it without it whining and spitting up on you.

And may I wish you a very happy birthday, Taylor.

Mimi

Hanson Babies!

Taylor and Natalie Hanson welcomed their 4th child Tuesday, December 9th; a boy named Viggo Moriah, joining siblings Jordan Ezra (6), Penelope Anne (3), and River Samuel Hanson (2) and cousins Clark Everett (1), James Monroe (5 mos.), and John Ira Shepard Hanson (6 mos.). Yes, it is a mouthful.

The family is happy, healthy and gorgeous (and rescheduling the walk planned for NYC on World AIDS day; December 1, for sometime in the new year).

Mimi

Taking The Walk

Last week, for the 2nd time (3rd time walking) I took the walk with Hanson and stayed all day and all night for the show. Now, for the full diehard Hanson fan experience I showed up at 10 AM and camped out in the rat-infested back alley behind the venue with twenty or so other dedicated fans. We shared lollipops and past stories. The walk was at 3 PM as always. Taking the walk is basically taking your shoes off and following the megaphone-wielding members of Hanson on a one-mile walk with a discussion at the halfway point and returning to the venue. There is no security so everyone brings their cameras and phones and gets to talk, up close and personal, with the band. Yes, this may be intimate but we all share a cause and it fits us as a group. A lot of fans, including myself, have bought TOMS shoes. Whenever you buy a pair of TOMS shoes another pair goes to a needy child in Africa. The main question last year was “can you even imagine not owning something as simple as a pair of shoes?” and this year the message is spreading the word by arranging your own walks. This is a little part of spreading the word. We are working to build a well and school in South Africa and providing access and treatment to those in Africa with HIV/AIDS. Children should not die from a disease their mother was carrying before they were born.

Hundreds of Hanson fans take the walk in each city along the tour and although we are making a difference and “doing our part” (your part can never truly be done) we would appreciate any and all help.

So whoever is reading this and has never heard of it before check out www.takethewalk.net, www.Hanson.net, www.tomsshoes.com, www.ihavehope.net, or www.ifindhope.net. Learn how to do your part.

Whoever is reading this and has heard of it or has taken the walk, feel free to leave a comment and represent.

Among the band and the fans, members of the opener band Everybody Else were walking. They seemed like good guys, psyched about the cause, but I figured their performance later that night would be ehh to even out their personalities. They were awesome. Some of the catchiest music I’ve heard in a long time; like In Memoriam, Meat Market, and Makeup to name a few.

So, yes, my Hanson day was 14 hours long but if you don’t understand, you’re not about to either. It’s just the way we roll. I met some great people, had a great time (it was an incredibly fantastic show – thanks for playing DITW!), and am really looking forward to walking again by the end of the month.

Sorry if this isn’t what you were expecting from my blog. I know it’s a different mood and not all jokey and cynical but this means a great deal to a lot of us and I figured it was about time I spoke up.

Take the walk. Spread awareness. Make a difference. Change someone else’s life!!!

I’m leaping off my soapbox now.

Mimi

Hanson Will Always Reign Supreme

Hanson and the Jonas Brothers are not one and the same, no matter what uninformed  person or group may think so. The Hanson brothers are talented, gorgeous, experienced, deep, incredible people while the Jonas brothers are simply not. Hanson has been around for over eleven years while the Jonas trio has been around maybe two. Hanson can pull off pop, rock, “grunge”, blues, etc. but the Jonas brothers are strictly sugar-pop.  Hanson are extremely aware individuals/activists. The Jonas brothers are too young and self-obsessed to be either. Hanson are an “adult” band while the Jonas Brothers are still kids, so if you only remember Hanson from ’97 singing Mmmbop you really have no right to compare their current music to some teeny-boppers. 

Plenty of people agree with me (usually diehard Hanson fans) and plenty of people disagree (usually fans of both) but in my opinion, some Disney-channel, no-talent wannabes will never amount to the greatness that is Hanson. So, media, shut up about them being the same genre!

Mimi

Thoughts Within the Mind of a Groupie

A good album is a good album. I will always love Vanessa Carlton’s Harmonium no matter what the critics thought; I can hear and feel the emotion she put into her completed patchwork 2004 work.

Also, I’ve completely adored Hanson for 11 years and I realize The Walk is their best album to date but put on any song from Underneath and that can lift my mood like nothing else.

To mention this blog’s namesake, I hold a deep faith that Augustana’s sophomore album, Can’t Love, Can’t Hurt; released tomorrow (shameless marketing!) will fill All the Stars and the Boulevards shoes.

Whether you’re listening to an undiscovered artist’s debut album or an old favorite, my point remains the same: a good album is a good album.

Mimi