Hanson UK - Hanson Track-by-Track

3 Car Garage

The album that apparently got Hanson signed in the first place, later re-released under the new title '3 Car Garage' so that people could "hear what they heard". The boys themselves produced the album by themselves, in a garage "somewhere in Tulsa", allowing themselves an average of four hours per track. Not their finest hour, many critics advising 'for die-hard fans only', but an interesting insight into the Hanson phenomenon's roots.
Guest musicians: John Chambers, guitar; JaMarc Davis, guitar; Louis Drapp, bass, guitar, harmonica; Craig Harmon, B3; Lewis Harris, bass; Dana Higbee, piccolo
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram company

The Day Has Come

Out-of-character synthesiser intro, including big-beat sampled drums, suddenly gives way to a drum-kit, a guitar and a keyboard. The latter is what sets the tone for the album, not the former. Featuring all three brothers chipping in on vocal duties. 'I Love You' sentiment recurring in the lyrics, not really going anywhere but funky listening.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram company

Two Tears

Opening strums on an electric guitar introduce the song, and just two minutes and thirty-nine seconds later it's finished. Has a half-complete feel in common with many tracks on the album. Lyrics based on an apology for being ignorant - "that was not at all what I intended to do".
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Thinking Of You

Original incarnation of song that went on to front the thirteen-times platinum 'Middle Of Nowhere' album. Less accomplished version, like a trial-run next to the newer, Dust Brothers-enhanced mix. Lyrics appear to come at random: "Have you ever stood outside a picket-fence that you could see through/But you can't get to the inside".
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

River

Arguably the most memorable track on the 3 Car Garage album that didn't make the transition to Middle Of Nowhere. Revived live to become a crowd-favourite, revealed as lost gem. Live version now includes extra middle-eight not present on this studio version. Lyrics could represent the uncertainty of the brother's predicament. Or they could just happen to rhyme.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Surely As The Sun

The Hanson weepy track, and it's actually incredibly good, only hampered by understandably basic arrangement and production. Mature lyrical reflection in 'I'm just a man/Flawed in so many ways you see" lines, and banging piano instrumentals reveal what Mercury saw in Hanson and this album.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

MMMBop

You've probably heard of this one before, no? A marathon six-minute version, a little slower than the newer number-one-everywhere incarnation, with a much gruffer edge to it, peppered with electric guitar. The brothers seem to struggle a little to hit certain notes compared with today, but then arguments about the lyrical merits of this track are often fairly one-sided anyway. Cool.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Soldier

Quirky and funky six-minuter about a one-legged soldier and a ballerina - toys of course. The track's opening marching drums are overlaid with one of the young Hanson's voices, saying something along the lines of "Will you tell me the story of the toy soldier? Please? Or I'll knock your nose off..." (exact translation not currently available!)
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Stories

This song has a real country feel, with rhythmic acoustic guitar and sweeping harmonica accompaniment. The high-pitched voices somehow detract from that whole feel but the overall effect isn't really lost. Lyrics, once again, based around everlasting love type sentiments.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Pictures

Rock 'n' roll quickie clocking in at just two minutes and thirteen seconds, leaving you wondering whether you actually listened to the whole song or were abducted by aliens for the middle section. Early indication of their rock roots, a style they later came back to for the 1998 tour.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Sometimes

One-chord wonder which actually gets away with it for ninety percent of the song, overlaid with an MMMBop-style 'sha-na-na-na' vocal that helps you forget it's only one chord for most of the way. Let down by a very poor Ike vocal during the middle-eight - even at four hours per song, surely they had time to get another take?
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

With You In Your Dreams

Subsequently appeared on Middle Of Nowhere and live on the Live From Albertane album. Here in it's original form it is faster, more stylised. Dedicated to their grandmother, lyrics clearly related to a harrowing time for them. Accomplished song, better in some ways than the Middle Of Nowhere version but suffering slightly since their vocals aren't quite as strong.
Copyright 1998 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Middle Of Nowhere

Released hot on the heels of the world-conquering MMMBop single, Middle Of Nowhere went on to go a staggering thirteen-times platinum. Songs Thinking Of You, MMMBop and With You In Your Dreams were all remakes from their previous album, which got them signed in the first place. Overall feel of the album is more accomlpished, with vastly improved vocal pieces benefiting from a proper recording schedule. The album also soars over a wider range of musical styles, although there is definitely a more commercial feel underpinning the tracks on this one.
Guest musicians: Stephen Lironi, guitar, percussion, bass, keyboards; Michael Fisher, percussion; Michito Sanchez, percussion; Ged Lynch, percussion, drums; Abe Laboriel, bass, drums; Neil Stubenhaus, bass; Sandy Stein, keyboards; William South, keyboards; Ronald McCarley, sax; Doug Trantow, trumpet; Mark Hudson, harmonica; BJ Cole, Pedal Steel; Pandit Dinish, Tablas; Endre Granat, violin; John Wittenberg, violin; Peter Kent, violin; Murray Adler, violin; Carole Mukogawa, viola; Larry Corbett, cello; Steve Richards, cello; David Stone, stand-up bass
Copyright 1997 Mercury Records, a Polygram Company

Thinking Of You

The Dust Brothers lend a hand in the production of this track, bringing with them elaborate drum-rolls and obscure guitar effects. Taylor's lead vocal is high compared to the rest of the album - presumably recorded before his voice broke during recording. Much improved over the 3 Car Garage version.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

MMMBop

Once again featuring the Dust Brothers, this is most likely the first Hanson song you ever heard. Huge all over the world, everywhere, it was cool not to like it yet enough people obviously did like it to send it straight up the charts. That's marketing for you. Unstoppable, nuff said.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Weird

Downbeat number which could allude to feelings from the brothers that they are in some kind of limbo - "You don't stand out/But you don't fit in". Extremely mature lyrical sentiments, released as a single in early 1998 accompanied by a Gus Van Sant-directed video. Gus Van Sant has since worked on a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Psycho. Hanson attract big names now y'know.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Speechless

The first really funky track on the album. Underlyring guitar riff is coupled with simple keyboard melody to set the tone, with a bluesy vocal from Taylor. Sounds excellent here, but even better live, as on the Live From Albertane LP. Rare allusion to negative aspects of relationships in the lyrics.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Where's The Love?

Second single, following MMMBop from which it 'borrows' the general upbeat rhythm. Peppered with horns to give an even poppier feel, but well-executed. Includes hard-rock middle-eight from Ike, the world's first real introduction to his guitar-playing. Video shot in London.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Yearbook

Outstanding track slap-bang in the middle of the album. Totally different vibe to the previous couple of tracks. Curious lyrical allusion to school, when the Hansons, by their own admission, have never really been to school. Excellent string ensemble comprising sweeping cellos (see the long list of guest musicians) and violins. All-round more mature song.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Look At You

Back to the funk of Speechless with this organ-ground big-beat track. The whole song rolls along at quite a pace, with a catchy chorus (Hanson, catchy? Shock of the century...), and the now-famous outro shouting from Zac. Difficult to tell what he's saying, probably not worth spending too long trying to work it out.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Lucy

Another switch in vibe from the last track. This slow number recalls Stories et al from 3 Car Garage. The only track on this album to feature lead vocals courtesy of Zac, and a fine job he does of it too.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

I Will Come To You

The third single to come from the album, showing the world that 'other side' of Hanson with their slower style. Pianos, strings, and an innovative slide from cello to electric guitar in the middle-eight - these guys really do have good ideas. Sentiment of 'being there' later reemphasised on new track Ever Lonely, featured on the Live From Albertane LP.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

A Minute Without You

Guitar-driven upbeat track, with vocal lead from Ike. Believe it or not, the lyrics are about being in love. Excellent catchy chorus that stays with you for hours after playing the song, but isn't irritating like some catchy songs can be.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music

Madeline

Bouncy is the best word to describe this track. Pretty good as it is here, with good harmonies from the brothers (Zac's angel-like falsetto sounds synthesised at first, it's so in-tune), but really comes into its own when broken down acoustically live. Once again, a pleasantly catchy chorus.
Copyright 1997 Jam 'n' Bread Music